Dr Jeya Balakrishna of the Royal College of Psychiatrists and Dr Chris Allen of Maidenhead Men in Sheds on the news that suicide rates in England and Wales are at a 25-year high.
The stark rise in the number of lives lost to suicide is extremely concerning and action is needed to address this (Suicide rates in England and Wales reach highest level since 1999, 29 August).
There has been a global decline in mental health in recent decades, as highlighted by the Lancet Psychiatry commission on youth mental health. Many people are affected by societal challenges in areas such as the economy, environment, social isolation and social media. Worryingly, a significant number of people who die by suicide have never been in contact with mental health services. More must be done to encourage people to come forward and to make sure they receive the best possible care.
All health staff should be alert to the level of risk in their patients and coordinate the appropriate care. The Royal College of Psychiatrists (RCPsych) continues to work with NHS England and NHS Wales to improve national guidance in safety assessments. National suicide prevention strategies should also be adequately resourced if they are to make a lasting difference. We need to act together to address societal changes, provide timely and compassionate care, and save lives.
#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
Link for 40 Habits Signup
bit.ly/40HabitsofMentalHealthIf you’d like to follow and receive my daily blog in to your inbox, just click on it with Follow It. Here’s the link https://follow.it/james-donaldson-s-standing-above-the-crowd-s-blog-a-view-from-above-on-things-that-make-the-world-go-round?action=followPub
Dr Jeya Balakrishna
Chair, patient safety group, RCPsych
Why are we surprised that suicide levels are at their highest since 1999, when the societal message is increasingly that you are worthless if you do not have a job and are not contributing financially to society? Men aged 45 to 64 have the highest suicide rate (22.4 per 100,000). This is the time when men are starting to retire, being made redundant, becoming ill or incapacitated – challenging their sense of self-worth and identity if it is encapsulated by being economically viable and having a job.
We need a strategy for men that places equal value on helping others, voluntary work, continued learning, caring for grandchildren and the benefits of experience if we are going to avoid a Logan’s Run world, where men feel everyone would be better off without them once they age.
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
