SPOKANE, WASH- On the Today Show this morning the Hilinski family will sit down with families of other #athletes who died by #suicide.
May is #mentalhealthawareness month, the Hilinski family has turned his death into a way to help others but I found it in the organization “Hilinskis Hope.”
His #parents are still struggling with their loss, but they hope their experience will resonate, not just with other #parents, but with society as a whole.
The 21-year-old was found dead in his apartment with an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head. Police say a #suicide note was found.
Hilinski was listed as a redshirt sophomore quarterback at the time.
That night #students came together and were heartbroken, but it helped start a much larger conversation for #students in sports and outside of sports regarding #mentalhealth on #college campuses.
“I think we kind of felt like, if this can happen to Tyler, it can happen to anybody. Our family was – we were so close and we loved each other and we talked every day, right. We did all this stuff,” #MarkHilinski said.
#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
www.celebratingyourgiftoflife.com
In a previous interview with today, Mark and #KymHilinski said there weren’t any signs from their son or to anyone at #WashingtonState that their son was suffering.
Following their son’s death, the Hilinski’s received a request from the Mayo Clinic to examine Tyler’s brain.
The results showed Tyler had the brain of a 65-year-old and stage 1 CTE.
Hilinski’s death sparked a national conversation about #mentalhealth, and resources are always available:
If you are struggling with thoughts of #suicide in any way, the #nationalsuicidepreventionlifeline is open 24/7. Call: 1-800-273-8255.
If you would rather text, you can send the word “connect” to 741-741.
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
