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
BATON ROUGE, LA (WAFB) – Everyone has their challenges. Life has a way of throwing obstacles in the way and it’s our job to cope. It’s how African American men are coping that’s causing a big concern nationwide.
“I get it. I know when a person gets into that zone, it’s a challenge,” said Tonja Myles with Love Alive Church.
East Baton Rouge Parish Coroner Dr. William “Beau” Clark said in a press conference in March that in 2018, 14 African American men took their own lives. That’s a huge jump from previous years.
“I was very alarmed,” Myles said. “I’m like, we need to do something.”
Now that community leaders have the facts, Myles and Clark say it’s time to find solutions.
“#Blackmales are struggling. They’re having some legit challenges and we need to deal with them,” Myles said.
In addition to Myles being an advocate for #suicideprevention through Capital Area Human Services (CAHS), she knows firsthand what it means to fight for hope. She’s a two-time #suicide attempt survivor. She says three of those men last year were dealing with a #mentalillness and whether the other men had been diagnosed or not, help in the form of counseling can put a stop to self-medicating.
Someone contemplating suicide might exhibit changes in behavior, start using drugs, or isolate themselves from family and friends, experts say. Myles says it can be challenging for someone dealing with stress to reach out for help and acknowledge there is an issue.
“Life happens to all of us,” she said.
While there isn’t a particular age group dealing with this issue or a specific cause, Myles says training loved ones to respond to people talking about #suicide can go a long way.
“A lot of times, people think, I can’t ask them if they’re thinking about harming yourself. It’s okay to ask them,” Myles said. “Even if someone says, ‘Yeah, I’m actively thinking about doing it’ and how it’s okay to pick up the phone and call 911 to get them the help that they need.”
Next up is creating a web of resources for people going through a rough patch and once someone realizes they’re not alone, hope is on the horizon.
“It’s okay for a man to be depressed. It’s okay for a man to have issues with #anxiety, but there is help and there is hope,” Myles said. “Look up a therapist. It’s okay to have a therapist.”
On Monday, Mar. 25 at the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center, the public is invited to attend an event with leaders in the #mentalhealth field.
My Brother, You Matter is expected to “shine a light of hope in the alarming rise of #suicide numbers in African American males.”
Several speakers, including Dr. Clark and Myles, Raymond Jetson with Urban Congress on #AfricanAmericanMales, Dr. Frank Campbell, a suicidologist, will be at the event.
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
