CARTERVILLE (WSIL) — The #COVID-19 #pandemic continues to panic #Americans who are worried they may have the #virus.
Becky Stoll, vice president crisis & disaster management at Centerstone, says personal connections are crucial now more than ever. “It’s most important to have solid systems in place.”
#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
#Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the U.S., and the rate has grown since 1999, according to the #CentersforDiseaseControlandPrevention.
But Stoll says there are simple steps anyone can take to lower that number. One method is to ask and listen, a step Stoll says in the hardest.
“If you can say that, you’re messaging, ‘Look I may not be an expert in this area, but I surely can listen,'” Stoll said.
Looking for signs of #suicide can help, as well as being by their side to keep them safe.
“You don’t want to leave someone you think is #suicidal by themselves,” Stoll said. “At that point, we don’t know what the access to their means is.”
Following up and connecting to resources is crucial, but Stoll says the most important thing to remember is to enjoy the small things in life to get through the #pandemic.
“I really hope people are settling in to this new reality that we have right now,” Stoll said.
Centerstone has partnered with The #NationalSuicidePreventionLifeline to offer a confidential, secure and anonymous way of reaching out for help The chat service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
- #NationalSuicidePreventionLifeline: (800) 273-8255
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
