Chamique Holdsclaw, a former Olympic gold medalist for the United States women’s basketball team, will speak Thursday at the Shine Initiative’s annual gala.
Holdsclaw has become a mental health advocate since retiring from basketball in 2010, talking around the country about her battles with depression. Her talk at Mechanics Hall will fall on World Mental Health Day and raise funds for the Shine Initiative, a Worcester advocacy group for youth mental health in Central Massachusetts.
Holdsclaw was on the 2000 gold metal team, was a college star and three-time national champion at the University of Tennessee and played in the Women’s National Basketball Association for 11 seasons.
Funds from the event will help support the Shine Initiative’s student-led program in area schools to promote positive mental health practices and reduce stigma. Last year’s event raised $134,000.
