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James Donaldson on Mental Health – ‘There’s still a purpose for you’: As suicides among seniors rise, Hays-Caldwell coalition offers training and support
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If you or someone you know needs to talk to someone or is struggling with thoughts of suicide, reach out to the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by dialing or texting 9-8-8 at any time. Counselors will provide free, confidential support 24/7/365.
KYLE, Texas (KXAN) — Around a table, inside a Kyle senior living facility, a small group of people talked about ways to tackle a growing and heartbreaking problem: suicide.
At their first meeting of the year, people involved with the Hays-Caldwell Suicide Prevention Coalition discussed new data, as well as potential resources and supports.
While the group’s hope is to reach people from all walks of life, their chosen meeting place — The Philomena Assisted Living and Memory Care — holds significance of its own. According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), older age groups are experiencing higher rates of suicide. In 2022, people ages 85 and older had the highest rate of the age groups represented in the data, followed by the group of people ages 75 to 84.
#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
“It’s something that a lot of people don’t think about for this age group,” said Priscilla Duran, Executive Director at the Philomena.
Jewel Jankas, the facility’s Community Relations Director, said it’s part of the reason she helped found the coalition. While she was working in a different assisted living facility in Lockhart, she remembers a resident telling her that she was “ready to move on.” Jankas tried to find resources for this resident, but said those supports were difficult to find in Caldwell County.
“Everybody’s story is different and very impactful, and sometimes just hearing somebody going through similar struggles is everything,” she said.
Jankas eventually connected with Dr. Kenneth Elliot, who had the same vision of starting a coalition. As a mental health professional and the former Director of Mental Health at Lockhart Independent School District, Elliot said signs and symptoms may be different for the older population than for younger people.
“To be honest, there’s a lot of licensed mental health professionals who may be very good with youth or family, but they’re not experienced with geriatric issues,” he said.
Elliot believes suicide prevention is a community effort, which is why the group offers training in prevention, recognition and intervention techniques for “lay people” — such as staff in senior living facilities, places of worship, community groups or businesses.
“It really does take a village. We can’t just rely on police or law enforcement to recognize those signs. We can’t just rely on licensed mental health professionals. Sometimes they’re not available or their waiting lists are too long,” he said.
Caldwell County is one of 246 Texas counties designated as an area lacking mental health professionals, or a mental health “desert,” according to state data from the Health Professions Resource Center. Some parts of the state may only have one or even no mental health professionals, it notes.
Elliot noted that no matter someone’s age, there are sometimes “subtle” messages that someone may be having thoughts of suicide.
“We do this in our trainings: always ask. Ask the question,” he said. “It’s important to follow up and make sure, if the answer is ‘yes,’ that you provide that person support, connection, connectedness.”
At the Philomena, Duran said she tries to ask residents about dreams of goals they have yet to accomplish.
“What big bucket things do they still have on their list? Let’s start making plans for that. I think it’s very important that everybody has a plan and a purpose and something that they’re looking forward to,” she said. “If you have breath in your lungs, there’s still a purpose for you in this world. And it’s our job here in senior living to help them see that.”
Jankas said the group will continue to meet monthly to make an impact.
“Because there’s so much more than today — there’s tomorrow. There’s hope. There is more.”
If you or someone you know needs to talk to someone or is struggling with thoughts of suicide, reach out to the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by dialing or texting 9-8-8 at any time. Counselors will provide free, confidential support 24/7/365.
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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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