There can be big signs. “We should always take any comment or hint towards someone wanting to die,” said Laurie Johnson, a behavioral health clinical coordinator with Lee Health. Many times the signs can be subtle, and easily overlooked.
#JamesDonaldson 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
Patients have long known that it matters which doctor they see and how well they can communicate with them, say some experts.
There can be big signs. “We should always take any comment or hint towards someone wanting to die,” said Laurie Johnson, a behavioral health clinical coordinator with Lee Health.
Many times the signs can be subtle, and easily overlooked. “A lack of interest in once enjoyable activities. I feel hopeless is a big word or helpless or worthless; you want to pay attention to that and explore it further with the individual,” said Johnson.
Startling statistics show each year, approximately one million people die from #suicide—making it important to notice if a loved one has sudden changes to their behavior like losing weight, gaining weight, or isolating themselves. “I think it’s important for people to understand that it’s ok to talk to their loved one about it. To say, I have concerns about this; can we talk about it more? Because I think family members are fearful that it could cause somebody to do something and that’s not accurate,” she said.Follow this story to get email or text alerts from NBC2 when there is a future article following this storyline.
She encourages loved ones to reach out and let the person know you’re there to help. “There are usually signs. It’s hard for somebody, in my experience, to say, I feel like doing this. It’s hard for a lot of people to seek out a mental health professional because it has a stigma attached to it.
Recognizing and addressing the early signs, whether they are verbal or non-verbal, and offering help can save someone from #suicide.
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
