Written By JR Robinson

The energy in the room at the cityCURRENT Breakfast was different—a collective excitement, a sense of purpose. Chamique Holdsclaw, basketball legend and Olympic gold medalist, stood before a crowd brimming with students, business leaders, and community heroes. Yet the greatest victory she shared wasn’t won on the court; it was the fight for herself and for others facing invisible battles.

Chamique’s journey, etched with triumphs and heartbreak, echoes the raw stories of so many who walk among us. She spoke candidly about growing up in a household shaped by instability, addiction, and trauma, her life pivoting the night her father passed out drunk, prompting social workers to intervene. Moving from New York’s streets to Tennessee’s bright courts, Holdsclaw discovered basketball was a refuge—a place where confidence could grow even as emotional storms raged within.

But the applause and trophies could not mute the relentless voice of depression. Chamique shared how her anxiety and bipolar disorder often left her feeling isolated, misunderstood—even as she was lifted as a role model, a sign of strength. “No one would happen,” she said, “I got my own shoes… I was going home every night, dog. ‘No, you’re so… You don’t deserve this.’ And if you keep hearing that enough, it starts to really impact. It really took over.”

Holdsclaw didn’t just survive—she spoke up. She described the stigma of mental illness in her community and throughout the country, where people are told to “push through” and not complain, even as the pain deepens. Her story is a rallying cry for compassion and action—especially for young people who feel their struggles aren’t worthy of help, who fear that showing vulnerability means weakness.

The Mental Health Crisis in Memphis and Shelby County

Holdsclaw’s message couldn’t come at a more crucial time. Memphis and Shelby County, like so much of America, is in the grip of a mental health crisis. According to recent reports, Shelby County residents face higher rates of mental distress, reporting an average of 5.3 mentally unhealthy days each month and a suicide rate above the national average. Nearly 17% of the population experiences frequent mental health struggles, and lack of accessible resources exacerbates the trauma, especially in underserved communities. Substance abuse, poverty, and the lingering effects of the pandemic have deepened the crisis, with 75% of local health experts naming mental health as the community’s most urgent concern.​

“I’ve seen kids cry to counselors, only to be told by their parents, ‘Don’t air our business,’” Holdsclaw explained. “A closed mouth does not get fed. If you’re going through anything, make sure that you utilize services. They were there for me in college, but it was something that was not pushed.”

Hope and Healing: The Power of Community and Advocacy

In her speech, Chamique emphasized the healing power of community and the importance of showing kindness—not just to those we know, but to anyone who may be suffering. She urged the audience to check in with each other, to support resilience, and to remind everyone that setbacks are setups for comeback stories.

Delta Dental: Championing Healthy Smiles and Community Care in Memphis

The day’s message of hope was amplified by the support of Delta Dental, the event’s sponsor, which has made an indelible mark on health and education in Memphis. Delta Dental of Tennessee has invested millions in the city’s future, funding the state-of-the-art Delta Dental building at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center’s College of Dentistry, expanding access to free and reduced-cost dental care for underserved youth and families. Their Smile180 Foundation delivers vital oral health campaigns in schools, provides thousands of students with screenings and education, and supports community organizations working to close healthcare gaps.​

Events like “Give Kids A Smile Day,” hosted in their Memphis facility, serve over a hundred middle and high school students each year, offering preventive care and crucial health education where it is needed most. Delta Dental’s belief in an “educated society is a healthy society” is more than a motto—it’s the driving force behind building resilient communities.​

A Legacy of Real Change

As Holdsclaw’s words resonated in the Memphis air, it was clear the morning was more than an event—it was an inflection point. Her message left tears and hope in its wake: “You’re not broken. You’re not weak. You deserve help. Keep that in mind as you navigate the ups and downs. We all have setbacks. The setback is just a setup for something bigger and better.”

Let her story remind us: Memphis will rise, not only on the strength of its athletes and leaders, but in the courage of all who refuse to suffer in silence and who answer the call to heal together.