Ragan talks with ISU Basketball star White at launch of national push for mental health awareness

Royce White played basketball and was the leading scorer for Iowa State from 2011-2012 before he went on to be a first-round draft pick in the NBA. He also has been diagnosed with Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), which causes people to experience “exaggerated worry and tension” according to the National Institute of Mental Health. Since going public with GAD he has become an outspoken advocate for those with mental health issues, pointing out their prevalence in society. As part of his advocacy on Thursday White visited the House and Senate Chambers.

DES MOINES – State Senator Amanda Ragan of Mason City met with former ISU basketball player Royce White on Thursday at the Iowa Senate. White, who was a first round draft pick in the NBA last year, was at the Iowa Statehouse to launch a national campaign to raise awareness of mental diseases. White’s professional basketball career has been negatively affected by his generalized anxiety disorder. Ragan told White she is working to fully fund Iowa’s mental health reforms, which will give every Iowan access to high quality care.

For more information, here’s a link to a Des Moines Register article and video on this issue: http://www.desmoinesregister.com/article/20130425/NEWS/304250113/Royce-White-gave-me-courage-stand-lawmaker-mental-illness-s