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Post by Admin on May 8, 2017 17:42:53 GMT -4
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Post by Mandeep Gill on May 8, 2017 21:10:27 GMT -4
This article demonstrates the fact that anyone can be fighting a mental illness no matter who they are. Royce White, a former NBA player had been diagnosed with Generalized Anxiety Disorder and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder when he was younger and continues to battle his anxiety as a professional athlete. I think it was quite repulsive and inhumane that White was turned down when he had asked for a meeting with David Stern, the commissioner of the NBA, in regards to his inability to fly from city to city due to his anxiety because a business and brand as large as the NBA should be able to accommodate all of its players especially if those players have special needs like White does. I think it is very noble of White to turn down playing for the NBA until they can accommodate their players with mental-health issues as good as the Canadian Basketball league can since mental health issues can affect anyone and even athletes deserve the help they need. Even though there is a whole notion and stigmatism that athletes have trained their bodies to their physical peaks so they should be able to withstand anything that comes their way and should be strong enough to deal with any obstacle; they still are human beings and need the same kind of help any other person would need. One thing that struck out to me the most was the difference in the salary cap of the Canadian league and the NBA; the difference in the minimum wages is close to $430,000 USD. White is willing to lose out on so much of the profit he could have made by staying in the NBA as opposed to the Canadian league, and the reason he stays in the Canadian league is to prove a point and to stick to his beliefs that he needs to make a stand for the awareness of mental health. I truly think this action is commendable and very selfless on his part and I hope in the future, more of these big sporting corporations can take into account what some players may be going through in terms of their medical/mental health and be able to better accommodate their health and not discount what these players are going through as nothing more than a ruse.
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Post by Megan Tracy on May 9, 2017 17:03:22 GMT -4
This article sheds light on the immense progress that is needed in our society in terms of mental health awareness. The fact that the NBA does not consider mental health a vital component of any athlete's well-being shows that they don't truly understand what is meant by "health." I think Royce White is going to be just one of many athletes to decline a contract from the NBA due to their lack of sensitivity towards mental health. I would argue that all athletes, regardless of their mental health status, can benefit from talking with a sports therapist and that it would only improve their performance on the court (and in turn, increase revenue for the NBA.) This is especially relevant when you consider the demographics of athletes entering into the NBA and their increased risk for experiencing anxiety, depression, and other mental health disorders. It's disheartening that Royce had to turn down an incredible opportunity from the NBA because of his concern for his own health. However, I am a firm believer in "health is wealth," and no amount of money can replace the value of a person's health and well-being on a day to day basis.
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Post by Wardah Khalid on May 9, 2017 21:28:43 GMT -4
This article highlights Royce White’s struggle to change the way the league, as well as the general public, perceives mental health. With research showing rates of mental illness higher in athletes than non-athletes, professional sports organizations should have the responsibility of monitoring their players’ health, whether it is a physical injury or a mental illness. I agree that there should be a mental health baseline for all players, as this would get players to address their mental health issues and prevent worsening of their health. White made an admirable sacrifice to his career to bring change to the NBA, and regardless of whether there are any immediate changes, he has sparked important dialogue, which will start to move us in the right direction in mental health awareness and promotion.
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Post by Harneet Ghumman on May 9, 2017 22:33:14 GMT -4
Financial stability is something everyone seeks in life but for some including Royce White money was not worth making at the expense of his mental health. Royce White a professional basketball player who suffers from General Anxiety Disorder and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, left a multi-million dollar contract in order to join a league that supported his struggles with mental illness. He stated, “It’s bigger then the money you make”. In reality mental illness is still stigmatic in society and something that often people do not take it seriously. For some, mental illness is something you don’t understand until you experience it first hand. Being “healthy” is often depicted as physical health and many including the NBA fail to recognize mental health when in reality mental health can deter your physical health. As fans we know our favorite athletes by their jersey numbers, statistics and in some cases their physical injuries. Rarely do we know the troubles athletes face behind closed doors. It was surprising to hear of other athletes such as Metta World Peace suffering from mental illness. These athletes have huge platforms and I believe that if they like Royce White share their experiences with mental illness we can see an immense change in the way society views mental illness.
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Post by Alejandro Macias (MS3) UMHS on May 10, 2017 8:11:09 GMT -4
After reading the article, the impression that stood out most was that Royce White is a true mental health advocate who has secured support and has adhered to a treatment plan that allows him to pursue his lifelong dream – playing basketball. White was diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder and obsessive compulsive disorder in high school; however, what is different in White’s story is he had been a prospective player for the NBA. White claims the NBA did not make the accommodations he needed for his mental illness and therefore, chose to play for the NBL in Canada, where he states he is now receiving the mental health support he needs so he can continue to play basketball. He chose mental stability over financial stability - an action that is virtuously commendable. I admire how individuals can openly talk about how they have achieved success with their mental illness. White claims he does well because he consistently takes his medication, regularly sees a psychotherapist, and has the support of his team members and wife/family. White has learned how to live with his symptoms and by doing so, is a strong mental health advocate for young men who are at the age of developing a mental illness. I feel that until mental illness receives the same level of support as physical illness (e.g. diabetes or cancer), individuals like White, will continue to have to fight their own battle of reducing stigma and learn how to manage their symptoms in order to continue living productive lives.
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Post by Akram Uraizee on May 10, 2017 16:53:24 GMT -4
Royce White’s story is very interesting and I really like the change he is trying to make in professional leagues like the NBA which fail to provide adequate mental health services to athletes in need. I can only imagine the kind of struggle he went through at the onset of his professional career, being a father to 4 kids while being away from them during away games and, at the same time, having to face unremitting anxiety. His diagnosis of GAD and OCD not only make it difficult for him to accomplish day-to-day tasks but it also makes others doubtful of his capabilities and it can be perceived as a sign of weakness. I believe it is a sign of true strength to be able to own up to your own challenges and to be able to speak about it openly. Royce White’s refusal to participate in the NBA due to the league’s unwillingness to provide adequate resources for athletes with mental health challenges is very commendable. I can imagine that his move to the NBL league in Canada was not an easy one given that he had to forgo the millions of dollars he would have been making in the NBA, aside from the fame and sponsorships that come along with playing at such a high level. His unrelenting desire to institute change in professional sports leagues and his uncompromising willingness to accept a much lower salary in a lower level league is something very few athletes will do. His transparency relating to his own struggles has inspired many others to open up about their own mental health challenges, which I think is a great impetus for change. Hopefully we will see the NBA as well as other professional leagues make some serious moves in the right direction in favor of athletes that face mental health challenges like Royce himself.
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Post by Faisal Uraizee on May 10, 2017 17:33:01 GMT -4
I really enjoyed reading this article considering that I enjoy watching professional basketball during my leisure time. Royce White's story is very intriguing and it sheds some light on the kinds of challenges that professional athletes face outside the game. White's challenges with anxiety (GAD) and OCD have created much discussion around the availability of mental health services in professional leagues such as the NBA. White's decision to leave the NBA and move to Canada to join the NBL is a significant move and has drawn much interest among basketball enthusiasts and sports fans in general. White's comment implying that the NBA is more of a company of employees rather than a community of people looking after the well-being of its members is noteworthy. The lack of mental health protocols in many professional leagues to assist athletes like White suffering from mental health issues is a void that has yet to be filled. White's desire to create positive change by encouraging a solution to a problem that has impacted his future professional career is praiseworthy. I think what Royce White is doing is commendable to say the least. The unwillingness of the NBA to accommodate his personal needs left him with no option but to join a lesser league (NBL) in a country (Canada) that has government-backed mental health programs and promoted awareness campaigns. Royce did what he felt was right in spite of having to give up a higher salary as well as the fame that comes with being in the NBA. He is a great example of someone who is standing up for what he believes in and his cause to promote mental health awareness is admirable. It would be interesting to hear what athletes with similar challenges have to say about Royce White and the great sacrifice he made. Ron Artest (aka "Metta World Peace") faced mental health challenges himself and I'm sure he would be in support of Royce White and the change he is trying to implement in the NBA.
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Post by cesilg on May 10, 2017 19:49:28 GMT -4
First of all, I have to say I respect Royce White’s commitment to his believes. It is not a small thing to risk your financial stability and lifelong dream on your principles. Secondly, even though the sweeping changes he is looking for in the NBA, in terms of how they handle the mental health of their players is still a long way off, the fact that any change at all is in the works is a positive sign. Lastly, it is good to see that Mr. White himself is handling his own illness well, in terms of getting therapy and taking his medication.
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Post by Avneet Ghumman on May 10, 2017 19:50:30 GMT -4
The following article highlights Royce White’s struggles with mental illness, including Generalized Anxiety Disorder and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. Royce White, a former NBA and current Canadian league player gave up a multi-million dollar deal to stand up for his beliefs and due to the NBA’s lack of effort to accommodate his struggles with mental illness. White was forced to quit and move to Canada to join a different league and where his current team has been more accommodating and understanding of his situation. Having lived in both Canada and the United States, I can relate to Royce White, and can vouch for the fact that the U.S, is very backwards in eliminating the stigma against mental illness. I feel there are more programs in spreading awareness such as Bell's Let Talk campaign, which donates money to mental illness related organizations, in Canada that help normalize the idea of mental issues. With these campaigns the youth are encouraged to share their stories and are provided with resources to support them. In the office, Dr.Antin explains mental illness as an injury to the brain that is not visible to the naked eye, because it is covered by the scalp. However, mental illness is an injury that should be managed or cared for as any other physical injury. Thus, Royce White makes a great argument that the NBA needs to do a better job with the management of mental illness because it can be considered a double standard; where if a patient has a physical injury they are allowed time off and can get the proper medical attention their body requires, but the same cannot be said for a mental issue. Lastly, in the following article, White states, “the reality is that pretty much everybody suffers from mental illness in some capacity,” and thus I feel it is very brave and empowering to hear him stand up for himself and fight for what he believes in.
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Post by James Fluss on May 11, 2017 0:56:35 GMT -4
The fact that more and more sports stars are disclosing their mental health issues is both encouraging and somewhat troubling at the same time. Royce White's GAD and OCD are not something to be overlooked. In fact, any psychiatric illness needs to be looked at more closely and monitored with both counselling and medical management if necessary. What is encouraging about this article is how another famous sports stars has been able to overcome his illness and can now openly discuss them with the world. Again, it brings so much hope and empowerment to the millions of adults and children who look up to these athletes as their role models. However, what I find troubling about this is the all too familiar "sports culture" that occurs in all professional sports, but clearly in the NBA, with the NFL close behind if not at the same level as I have seen in other articles in the past. The idea that athletes are superhuman and should not show their emotions as it perceives weakness is an even bigger issue. Thankfully the more light that is shown on these incidents will bring about the discussions and ultimately the proper changes that need to be implicated in combating the locker room culture as well as the mentality held by the owners and sports teams.
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Post by Cammie Allen on May 11, 2017 10:44:11 GMT -4
I really appreciated that this author illuminated a common problem that we all know to have serious impacts on patients' quality of life. I enjoyed the fact that they chose to publish this article in a popular magazine to make the issue accessible for a broad selection of readers. It intrigued me that the care of Royce White's mental health guided his decision to return to the Canadian league rather than play for the NBA, despite significantly higher financial compensation in the NBA. I think this highlights how critically important access to mental health is. It also suggests that this is a really important decision for all patients with mental health disorders. Finding employment that enables them to care for their health is a really critical issue that we should be aware of as providers.
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Post by Sara Witten on May 11, 2017 13:11:33 GMT -4
Athletics expects its participants to function 10/10 on a regular basis, and usually provides a lot of support to keep its athletes at that level, but also tends to only fix tangible problems. Unfortunately, psych is not a field that you can put in a box and define. White is a good example of many people in these positions – because of his personal history - 4 kids by 3 mothers, his colorful way of talking – “I’m fucking weird,” he was likely dismissed as an annoyance, which happens all too commonly. However, I do disagree with him on at least one point – namely, his dismissal of his interactions with the law. As a former college athlete, I am aware of the standard that you are held to, which I believe is appropriate. Whether or not he likes it, as an athlete, White is a role model for many people, and he should have had the responsibility to act accordingly. While I hope that he continues to be an advocate for mental health in athletics, I think he needs to ensure that he is taking personal responsibility for his mistakes, instead of having a dismissive attitude.
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Post by Kwadwo A Ansong on May 11, 2017 13:59:51 GMT -4
Many athletes, like Royce White, struggle with mental health problems and governing institutions must be willing provide the support needed for the athletes. I admire him for making the sacrifice to start conversation about how the NBA treats players with mental health. And he is right! Just as the NBA wants its players to represent the association well, they should be willing to put structures in place so players can seek help when needed. This applies to society at large; we must create an environment when sufferers of mental health can open up and seek the help need!
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Mwamba Malekani MSIV-UMHS
Guest
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Post by Mwamba Malekani MSIV-UMHS on May 11, 2017 15:46:04 GMT -4
Mental health is prevalent no matter what profession. I believe as with many professions, mental illness is hard to distinguish as opposed to say, medical disease like asthma. Luckily there are many spokesman in the sports world, entertainment, etcetera taking it upon themselves to use their platform. With May being Mental Health Awareness Month, employers need to look critically about how we're supporting our workers in the NBA and elsewhere. I commend Mr. White for opening up about his concerns and health. It isn't easy to be so vocal. Also, his case is compounding because not only is he in an NBA culture of lack of understanding about mental illness, he also is black and a man. Black American culture like other minority communities has been slow to recognize mental illness. It is admirable all the efforts Mr. White is taking.
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