Millions of #Americans are impacted by a #mentalillness every year. Here’s how to find out if you are at risk and how you can get help
Author: David Bohlman (WQAD)
MOLINE, Ill. — This week in Your Health, we are taking a moment to get a pulse.
#MayisMentalHealthAwarenessMonth, and according to the #NationalAllianceonMentalIllness, millions of people are affected by a #mentalillness each year. If it’s so common, why can it be hard to talk about?
Laurie Edge with the #NAMI of the Greater Mississippi Valley‘s Quad Cities affiliate joined News 8’s David Bohlman on News 8 This Week to talk about how we can get a pulse on our own #mentalhealth and know when to seek help.
Edge works with people navigating the #mentalhealth space. She’s able to do the work she does because she has lived experience.
“I actually have several family members (affect by #mentalillness),” Edge said. “Some are now deceased, but others are still with us who were diagnosed and live with #mentalhealthconditions. My first experience was with my older brother, who was diagnosed with #schizophrenia back in 1978. I had no clue what that meant. Being a young adult myself and being in my own life journey, not living in the same state with my brother, I didn’t even seek out to see what it meant. But as things and years progressed, we had another brother who actually took his life by #suicide … Then, my younger sister was diagnosed with #depression many years ago … Five years ago we lost a nephew to #suicide who was just one month shy of his 16th birthday.”
Edge took this long list of heartbreak and pain and chose to use it for good. She now works with others struggling with #mentalhealth so people know they are not alone, so they know they matter.
The longer we sit with poor #mentalhealth it can bleed over to other aspects of our life. It no longer becomes just a #mentalhealthproblem. It can become physical, social and financial, too.
Research has shown the longer that one goes without treatment, the less effective treatment will be, Edge said. The reason is that our brain rewires itself with a #mentalhealthcondition. The earlier a person is treated, the better the outcome and the better the results of recovery.
But recovery does not look the same for everyone.
#James Donaldson notes:
Welcome to the “next chapter” of my life… being a voice and an advocate for #mentalhealthawarenessandsuicideprevention, especially pertaining to our younger generation of students and student-athletes.
Getting men to speak up and reach out for help and assistance is one of my passions. Us men need to not suffer in silence or drown our sorrows in alcohol, hang out at bars and strip joints, or get involved with drug use.
Having gone through a recent bout of #depression and #suicidalthoughts myself, I realize now, that I can make a huge difference in the lives of so many by sharing my story, and by sharing various resources I come across as I work in this space. #http://bit.ly/JamesMentalHealthArticle
Order your copy of James Donaldson’s latest book,
#CelebratingYourGiftofLife:
From The Verge of Suicide to a Life of Purpose and Joy
#NAMI works to educate the public on #mentalhealth by offering tools relating to:
- #Mentalhealthawareness.
- Directions on how to get a diagnosis.
- Early detection help.
- Treatment options.
- Social-emotional learning.
You can reach #NAMI on weekdays by calling 1-800-950-6264.
You don’t need to be a person struggling with #mentalhealth to reach out to #NAMI. Perhaps you know someone who is struggling and you are trying to find ways to help your loved one. They can help with that, too.
If you or someone you know is having thoughts of #suicide, there is help available. The #SuicidePreventionLifeline is available 24/7 and can help you or a loved one get access to resources. Call them at 800-273-8255.
James Donaldson is a Washington State University graduate (’79). After an outstanding basketball career with WSU, he went on to play professional basketball in the NBA with the Seattle Supersonics, San Diego/L.A. Clippers, Dallas Mavericks, New York Knicks, and Utah Jazz. He also played for several teams in the European Leagues in Spain, Italy, and Greece, and he toured with The Harlem Globetrotters to wrap up his career. James was an NBA All-Star in 1988 while playing center for the Dallas Mavericks. In 2006, James was inducted into the Pac-10 Sports Hall of Fame and also the Washington State University Athletic Hall of Fame. In 2010, James was elected as a board member for the NBA Retired Players Association.
James frequently conducts speaking engagements (motivational, inspirational, educational) for organizations, schools, and youth groups.
In 2010, James was the recipient of the NBA Legends of Basketball ABC Award, awarded for outstanding contributions in Athletics–Business–Community.
He believes in being a role model for success and professionalism to the scores of young people to whom he devotes so much of his time. He currently serves on several boards and committees and is a member of many organizations.
James believes in developing relationships that create a “Win-Win” environment for everyone involved, and in being the best he can be!
For more information about James Donaldson or to request he speak at your event, contact him at:
www.StandingAboveTheCrowd.com
JamesD@StandingAboveTheCrowd.com
1-800-745-3161 (voicemail & fax)
James Donaldson is the author of “Standing Above The Crowd” and “Celebrating Your Gift of Life” and founder of the Your Gift of Life Foundation which focuses on mental health awareness and suicide prevention, especially pertaining to our school aged children and men.
If you’re interested in having James come and speak to your group of young adults, business entrepreneurs, aspiring political and community leaders, and athletic teams, please contact him at jamesd@yourgiftoflife.org and or leave a personal message for him at 1-800-745-3161. Keep up with him and read about how he is reaching out and making a difference in the lives of so many around the world at www.yourgiftoflife.org
