Dr. William Parham: Caring For the Mental Health of the NBA, Elite Athletes, & … Really All of Us

This week, as the NBA finals are underway, Laura talks with Dr. William Parham, the inaugural Director of the Mental Health and Wellness Program of the National Basketball Players Association. Dr. Parham is a Psychologist and Professor of Counseling at Loyola Marymount University, and together he and Laura explore many of the current, and historic, forces that impact the mental health of NBA players and other elite athletes. They cover everything from the legacy of systematic oppression and structural supremacy to professional sports’ present day responsibility to treat athletes as multi-faceted individuals, often with complex lives, and - as Dr. Parham explains - invisible tattoos. Through their conversation they talk about not just how to obtain, but also how to maintain, one’s mental health. While professional and collegiate sports have a long way to go in terms of dismantling the barriers for athletes who want to care for their whole selves, knowing that Dr. Parham is a part of that change is, indeed, inspiring.  

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