#Suicide is the tenth leading cause of death in the #UnitedStates, according to the #CentersforDiseaseControl. On average, every 19 hours, another person dies because of #suicide in Iowa. According to the #AmericanFoundationofSuicidePrevention, #suicide is also the second leading cause of death in Iowa for individuals 15-34 years of age.
129 yellow flags border Helmick Commons to represent the number of people who die every day in the United States because of #suicide.
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
#Suicide is an epidemic, but many believe there is hope and awareness on Drake University’s campus.
Drake University’s second annual #SuicidePreventionWeek took place April 8-13. Events include a wide range of activities including cupcakes with counselors, a volunteer performance art night called “Share My Story”, a screening of the animated movie “Inside Out”, a diversity and #suicideprevention talk, renowned speaker Kevin Hines and the #suicideprevention walk. All events were hosted by Drake Rise Up.
Drake Rise Up is a campus campaign, that was created solely by Abbie Gartland last year. Gartland created the movement when she noticed there was a lack of #suicideawareness on campus.
Drake Rise Up collaborated with student senate, student activities board, unity roundtable, resident halls association and resident hall’s executive counsel this year to put on the various events.
“I had a little seed of an idea and everybody watered it,” Gartland said. “Everyone was so supportive. I could not have done this on my own.”
Drake Rise Up got its name from the song “Rise Up” by Andra Day. The premise of the campaign is to take the pledge and “rise up for you”.
Casey Hutchins is an active, first-year member of the Drake Rise Up committee.
“We’re a community now – everyone who has worked on this committee,” Hutchins said. “We’ve all done so much for it. Everybody who’s helped with it, every person who we’re working with deserves praise. I am very passionate about #mentalhealth. I am an advocate for #mentalhealth and #suicidepreventionawareness – it’s just something I want to bring to light on campus.”
Hutchins also said that he personally deals with #mentalillness and has attempted #suicide.
“All my life, there’s #suicide surrounding it. My uncle passed from #suicide, a couple people from my high school passed from #suicide so it’s been something I’ve been a big advocate for,” Hutchins said.
Hutchins is the creator of the “Share My Story” event. Not only did he run the event, he also participated in the event as a performer to share his story about #suicide.
Gartland said Drake’s #suicideprevention week has garnered more interest this year than last. Gartland and Hutchins believe there’s a connection to the #suicide that occurred on campus last semester.
“So many people were affected by it on Drake’s campus that I think a lot more people are interested and willing to help,” Gartland said.
Dr. Mark Kloberdanz is the Director of Counseling at Drake University. He is in his eighth year here and has worked previously at other colleges and a veteran’s hospital. He stated that last year the counseling center met with 504 students and logged over 2,500 hours of counseling. Dr. Kloberdanz said the best part of the job is the journey watching the students grow.
A total of five people work at Drake University health center. The staff include one front desk employee, two nurse practitioners and two counselors. There is also a psychiatrist who is a former Drake graduate that comes in four hours a week, but mostly handles medication management.
“Because of the volume of people, we see, we are very well connected with the community,” Kloberdanz said. “ We know a lot of the practitioners out there. When we get a student, who needs a higher level of care than we can provide, we plug them into a person, instead of a place.”
The counseling center urges anyone contemplating #suicide or feeling depressed, anxious, or sad to schedule an appointment.
“This whole awareness via #suicide awareness or just #mentalhealthawareness – it’s very important to get that word out there that nobody has left out, nobody has to feel that lonely, no one has to feel that desperate,” Kloberdanz said. “There are people out there that care.”
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
