According to NBC News, “more than 50,000 Americans died by suicide in 2023, more than any year on record.” That is a death approximately every 10 minutes. I know firsthand what suicide looks like; it is not glamorous, or poetic. It’s just sad. If we had better screening tools in place, maybe some of them could have been saved.
I am a big proponent of mental health screenings. The Surgeon General calls mental health “the defining health crisis of our time.” Mental illness does not discriminate. Suicide doesn’t discern between race, income, profession, or age. Every demographic group is vulnerable. Here’s some shocking numbers: 12.3 million adults thought about suicide, 3.5 million adults made a plan, and 1.7 million adults attempted suicide. In 2021, suicide was the second-leading cause of death for people ages 10-14 and 20-34.
Most people who commit suicide have seen a doctor shortly before they died. “In February 2016, the Joint Commission…. issued a Sentinel Event Alert recommending that all medical patients in all medical settings…be screened for suicide risk”. Yet, this still is not happening. We have to reach more of these people. We need to start asking the tough questions. The Ask Suicide-Screening Questions (ASQ) tool is a brief screen of 4 questions for use among both youth and adults. “Using an evidence-based clinical pathway can guide the process of identifying patients at risk and managing those who screen positive.” Anybody who screens positive should then be given the Brief Suicide Safety Assessment (BSSA) by a qualified clinician to see if a more thorough mental health assessment is necessary. For information on how to prevent suicide visit the National Alliance on Mental Illness. For information or to get the ASQ toolkit (which is specific to the setting where it is being used) visit the ASQ website.
#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 Find out more about the work I do on my 501c3 non-profit foundation website www.yourgiftoflife.org Order your copy of James Donaldson’s latest book, #CelebratingYourGiftofLife: From The Verge of Suicide to a Life of Purpose and Joy
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:
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
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