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James Donaldson on Mental Health – Construction workers four times more likely to die by suicide as 7,000 lives lost, report says
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Social media company On The Tools found that 73% of the UK’s 2.1 million construction workers have been affected by mental illness. In the last decade 7,000 have taken their own lives
James Reeves contemplated suicide after an accident and having his tools stolen
Construction workers are four times more likely to die by suicide than the national average, making it one of the deadliest professions for mental health problems in the UK, according to a new report.
Social media company On The Tools, the UK’s largest community of tradespeople, has found that 73% of the country’s 2.1 million construction workers have been affected by mental illness.
In the last decade, 7,000 have taken their own lives.
“If doctors or teachers were seeing those rates of suicide in any other industry, I think there would be a national outcry”, said Alice Brookes, the company’s brand manager.
“But because it’s construction, I think people don’t necessarily have the best perception of tradespeople, it’s being ignored.
#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
These suicide rates in any other industry would cause a national outcry,’ says Alice Brookes
“When four times the number of people are dying by suicide – who will build our hospitals, who will build our schools, maintain our roads and infrastructure?”
The company is trying to raise £2.5m to fund counselling for workers in the industry.
James Reeves, 33, who runs Royal Spa Decoration in Leamington Spa, told Sky News how he had contemplated suicide after suffering injuries to his back and pelvis in an accident while painting and decorating, then had his tools, worth £2,500 stolen.
For a long time taking my own life consumed my every waking thought’Mr Reeves injured his back and pelvis in an accident while painting and decorating
“One of the worst pressures was financial”, James explained.
“I had guys working for me on payroll, I had to earn a certain amount to make a profit every month, you can imagine if you’re off work for three months and unable to meet those numbers, meet those deadlines it doesn’t take long before you find yourself in a hole financially.
“For me personally I just felt like a failure to everyone around me and the only way out was to kind of disappear.”
James continued: “For a long time taking my own life consumed my every waking thought and for a long time I woke up thinking that was going to be the day I took my own life. It did take quite a while to get out of that place, but I was lucky in that I got out, whereas a lot of other people aren’t that fortunate.”
The report also found that work absences related to mental illness are costing the industry £2.7bn a year.
Ms Brookes added: “When you start factoring in isolation – a lot of workers in this industry lone work or are self-employed and there is that feeling of isolation and loneliness.
“Then you add financial pressures, then industry pressures such as tool theft – we found 68% of tradespeople worry daily about tool theft which shows those wider pressures are affecting those in the trade.”
Anyone feeling emotionally distressed or suicidal can call Samaritans for help on 116 123 or email [email protected] in the UK. In the US, call the Samaritans branch in your area or 1 (800) 273-TALK.
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 [email protected] 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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