James Donaldson on Mental Health

I wanted to take a moment, to express my thanks and gratitude for such an outpouring of love and support and understanding for what I’ve been going through the last several months. Friends that I’ve had for 30+ years, who had no idea what was happening to me, reached out from around the country as well as so many of my social media “friends”. I consider you all friends and personally connected to you, so I say thank you very much.

These challenges I’ve been going through, are very serious. My hope is that with me speaking out of my own personal issues, that people can see that this kind of thing can happen to anybody, and at any point in one’s life. Mine happened to be, financial, personal relationships, medical health and finally drove me to the point of being in a very deep, dark and scary place, where I was even contemplating suicide. Even now the thoughts come to my mind from time to time, but the good news is, they are usually just a “fleeting thought” that doesn’t stay with me for hours on end or keep me up at night.

I am hoping to create a platform where I can get out there and speak, especially to our younger generation, and to give them a sense of “hope”, and encourage them to reach out for help from medical professionals, and form a tight circle of intimate friends, who will be there for them throughout. That’s exactly what I did.

Getting involved with abusing substances, such as drugs, alcohol, prescription medications, promiscuous behaviors, will only make the situation worse, so we all need to try her best to stay away from those things.

Also, my hope is to reach out to our “men, and young men and boys” to get them to be in touch with their feelings, and to feel more comfortable speaking up and speaking out, and reaching out to the help that is around them. So many of us, especially from my field of competitive athletics, learn never to show vulnerabilities or weaknesses, never to cry, never to complain, never to show that you are injured and/or that you need help. It’s a very big burden for men and boys to carry, so we have to learn to do better in order for us to be better. Women and girls have more of an innate ability to reach out to each other, cry on each other’s shoulders, and receive support.

Anyway, I wanted to give you a quick update of where I am, and that this is a day by day process that I am working through. With my IRS issues, and having to close down my business suddenly, I am now totally financially upside down, struggling even to pay utility bills and the basic necessities. I do receive my NBA pension monthly, but it is only enough to pay the total amount towards my mortgage to keep it current. So, I want to “make an ask” to any of you out there, who can see your way to helping me in any way you can.

My plan at this point is to go on a speaking circuit, talking about mental health challenges, especially to our school-age children, athletic teams and business groups around the country. Of course, these will be paid opportunities, so hopefully, within a couple of months or so, I can start generating revenue again and keep things current. So any help would be appreciated.

Thank you so much, I just wanted to give everyone an update since I received such an overwhelming, positive response to my article that I posted on social media last week.

Let’s keep being there for each other, and remember that beneath the smiles and the “altogether” outer persona of even the person next to you, you can bet, that most likely, they are “going through something”. Be sure to be a friend to them, and to be there for them.

All the best,

James Donaldson

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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:

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