NBPA hires 1st director of mental health

The National Basketball Players Association announced Wednesday that it has hired Dr. William D. Parham as the inaugural director of its new mental health and wellness program.

Parham, a psychologist and professor in the counseling program at Loyola Marymount, will work with Keyon Dooling, who was recently hired as the program's director. The program will be headquartered in Los Angeles.

"We are excited to have Dr. Parham on board and to get the Program up and running," NBPA director Michele Roberts said in a statement. "We have heard our players' stories and are making mental health a priority now by bringing in Dr. Parham. His many years of expertise and knowledge of the game allow him to make an impact in this new role right away."

Destigmatizing mental illness among athletes has been a topic of much conversation in the NBA this season, with All-Stars DeMar DeRozan and Kevin Love sharing their struggles with depression and anxiety. Former players like Dooling and Steve Francis have penned essays revealing their long-suppressed battles with post-traumatic stress disorder and addiction. Cavaliers head coach Tyronn Lue just revealed that he's being treated for anxiety.

"The NBPA is to be commended for listening to the collective, clear and courageous voices of the players whose concerns and challenges, relative to their mental health and wellness, are very real and, for many, long-standing," Parham said. "I am humbled and feel honored to assume the helm as the inaugural Director of the NBPA Mental Health and Wellness Program."