LANSING, Mich. (WLNS)– #Septemberissuicidepreventionmonth and according to the #WorldHealthOrganization, 800,000 people die by #suicide every year.
This month is to highlight the importance of taking care of your #mentalhealth and not being afraid to seek help if you need it.
“If I could talk to myself four years ago when I was struggling with #depression and suicidal thoughts, I would just tell myself that it’s okay, it’s going to get better and just to keep fighting,” said Vicky Mennare.
Mennare says she got involved in #suicideprevention when she lost her dad to #suicide back in 2010.
She had her own battles with #depression and suicidal thoughts, but now is part of the Michigan chapter of the #AmericanFoundationforSuicidePrevention and even started her own design businesses based on #mentalhealthawareness.
“My hope with that art is to help other people share their stories and bring people hope to keep fighting and to stay,” said Mennare.
#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
Corbin Standley from the #AmericanFoundationforSuicidePrevention Michigan Chapter, says one positive that’s come out of this #pandemic, is that #mentalhealth is being talked about more.
“Really our whole goal is evaluate #mentalhealth to the same importance as physical health,” said Corbin Standley.
Standley says it’s important to also know some of the warning signs.
“Those are talk, mood, and behavior, so really what you’re looking for is anything that is sort of deviates from the norm of that particular person,” said Standley.
It’s usually not just one thing or event either.
“It’s always sort of this conglomeration of multiple factors so #mentalhealth is certainly a big piece of the puzzle but also things such as economic #stress, relationship #stress, #financial #stress, job #stress,” said Standley.
Mennare and Standley say even with there still a #stigma around asking for help, it’s vital to reach out.
“It’s okay to not be okay, it’s okay to reach out to help and it’s okay to reach out to someone if you’re worried about them,” said Mennare.
“We all have #mentalhealth and so #mentalhealth isn’t something that’s should always be thought of as negative sort of this #mentalillness frame, you know we all have #mentalhealth,” said Standley.
The #AmericanFoundationforSuicidePrevention Michigan Chapter is holding a fundraiser on September 26th.
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
