by Laurie Fickman,
In this age of #racial reckoning, new research findings indicate that #racial discrimination is so painful that it is linked to the ability to die by #suicide, a presumed prerequisite for being able to take one’s own life. However, the ability to emotionally and psychologically reframe a transgression can mitigate its harmful effects.
Over the last decade, #suicide rates in the #UnitedStates have increased dramatically among #racial and ethnic minorities, and #BlackAmericans in particular. For #Black young adults ages 15-24 years, #suicide is the third leading cause of death with approximately 3,000 #BlackAmericans dying by #suicide each year.
#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
Two studies conducted independently tell a compelling story.
“Our findings demonstrate that for #Black adults, perceived discrimination serves as a sufficiently painful experience that is directly associated with higher capability to overcome one’s inherent fear of death and achieve an increased capacity for self-harm,” reports Rheeda Walker, professor of psychology and director of the University of Houston’s Culture, Risk and Resilience Lab. As author of the newly released “The Unapologetic Guide to #Black #MentalHealth,” Walker is one of the leading researchers in the U.S. specializing in culture, #race, #mentalhealth and #suicide.
The studies were led by Jasmin Brooks, a doctoral student in the research lab, and published in the journals #Suicide and Life-Threatening Behavior and Cultural Diversity and Ethnic Minority Psychology, premier journals in #suicide science and cultural psychology, respectively.
Capability for #suicide: Discrimination as a painful and provocative event
In this study, the research team measured the relationship between a person’s experiences of discrimination and their level of capability for #suicide. The study included 173 #Black and 272 #white college #students, who responded to questionnaires about their experiences.
The findings suggest that while perceived discrimination creates emotional disturbance for #white adults, it is a uniquely painful event for #Black adults.
“For #Black adults, perceived discrimination accounted for statistically significant variance above and beyond both feelings of #depression and non-discriminatory stressors in predicting #suicide capability. For #white adults, perceived discrimination was not uniquely associated with capability for #suicide,” reports Walker.
In a separate, but timely study, Walker and her team examined how some of the effects of racism could be mitigated.
The moderating effect of dispositional forgiveness on perceived #racial discrimination and #depression for #AfricanAmerican adults
While perceived #racial discrimination is associated with #depression for #AfricanAmerican adults, insight into protective measures for #racism and #depression in #AfricanAmericans is limited. In this study, 101 #AfricanAmerican college students reported their personal experiences and feelings, and Walker’s team investigated whether dispositional forgiveness is associated with less #depression. Dispositional forgiveness, the ability to reframe an incident, is not the same as excusing, encouraging reconciliation, or freeing an offender from the consequences of their actions.
“Using internal coping strategies is vital for marginalized populations that experience #racial discrimination daily. The results of this study suggest that dispositional forgiveness, a robust internal coping mechanism, can serve as a helpful coping strategy associated with fewer depressive symptoms for #AfricanAmerican adults who have experienced #racial discrimination,” reports Walker.
Walker said the findings could have important clinical implications in that dispositional forgiveness, and specifically the ability to engage in cognitive restructuring and reframing, prevents prolonged rumination.
“In a better, more inclusive world, #racism would not exist. Until that happens, psychological tools are critical for mitigating acute and long-term emotional consequences of #racial discrimination in #AfricanAmerican individuals,” said Walker.
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
