by Christi Mathis
CARBONDALE, Ill. — Even those who seem to have it all – including star #athletes and #celebrities – can lose their lives to #depression and #mentalillnesses and as #MayisMentalHealthAwarenessMonth, a #SouthernIllinoisUniversity Carbondale health care official urges people to be aware, stay connected and seek help for themselves and others if needed.
In recent months, several #collegeathletes including #StanfordUniversity #soccer star #KatieMeyer, #JamesMadison softball catcher #LaurenBernett, University of Wisconsin standout distance runner #SarahShultz have taken their own lives as did country singer #NaomiJudd just before she was to be inducted into the #CountryMusicHallofFame. Duke University lacrosse standout Morgan Rodgers, comedian/actor #RobinWilliams and NFL linebacker Tiaina “Junior” Seau have also died by #suicide, exemplifying how #depression and other #mentalhealthissues can strike anyone at any time, no matter who they are or how their lives are perceived by others, according to Jaime Clark, director of SIU Carbondale’s Student Health Services.
Clark, who holds a doctorate in #counseling #psychology from the University of Denver, said millions of people around the world struggle with #depression and other #mentalhealthconditions, but help is available and there are things you can do to help yourself and others.
#James Donaldson 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
Order your copy of James Donaldson’s latest book,
Celebrating Your Gift of Life:
From The Verge of Suicide to a Life of Purpose and Joy
Many types of #mentalhealthconditions
There are a wide variety of #mentalhealthconditions, including:
- #Depression.
- #Anxietydisorders.
- #Substanceusedisorders.
- #Bipolardisorders.
- #Personalitydisorders.
- Psychosis.
The #COVID-19 #pandemic has impacted #mentalhealth around the country, she said. The average percentage of #adults reporting symptoms of #anxiety or depressive disorders rose from 11% to 41.1% between early 2019 and early 2021, according the National Health Interview Survey and the U.S. Census Bureau Household Pulse Survey.
The increased #socialisolation combined with the uptick in #socialmedia use has shown to be a toxic combination, Clark said. People feel alone and isolated without real human contact. #Socialmedia also can result in two other problems:
- Cyber #bullying. People will sometime be especially cruel through online posts.
- Unrealistic expectations. Clark said it is easy to compare ourselves to filtered posts and think that other people are living much better lives then we are, without realizing we are only seeing a tiny, “filtered” portion of their real lives.
Clark said early internet exposure for #teenagers who haven’t developed the coping skills they need to handle these issues compounds the #stress and danger.
Not surprisingly, during the midst of the worst part of the #pandemic in June 2020, essential workers reported suffering from increased #mentalhealthissues, Clark notes. According to the #CentersforDiseaseControl, 11% of all #adults considered #suicide in the past 30 days, up from 4% pre-#pandemic, and 22% of essential workers contemplated #suicide versus 8% of the general population.
The rates for those who started or increased substance use to cope with #stress or emotions related to #COVID were 25% and 11% respectively. The gap narrowed considerably when it came to the percentage of people reporting they had symptoms of anxiety or depressive disorders – some 42% of essential workers and 30% of nonessential workers.
When #suicide enters the picture
Globally, more than 800,000 people take their own lives each year — one death every 40 seconds, Nine out of 10 people who die by #suicide have a #mentalhealthcondition contributing to their death. For each #suicide, there are 25 attempts.
#Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the U.S. each year and the second-leading cause of death among 10- to 24-year-olds. People who have been bullied are 500 to 900 times as likely to contemplate #suicide as their peers.
Researchers have looked at the whys, according to Clark. From the perspective of a suicidal person, a crisis point has been reached, their thinking becomes limited and they are desperate to escape the pain that, to them, has become unbearable.
Clark says there are many myths when it comes to #suicide, and she addresses those misconceptions here.
- Myth: #Suicide is inevitable and can’t be stopped.
- “If people in a crisis get the help they need, they will be at much lower risk to commit #suicide,” Clark said.
- Myth: Confronting a person who may be suicidal will anger them and increase the chances they will act.
- Speaking directly to someone about suicidal intent opens the lines of communication, lowers #anxiety and reduces the risk of them acting impulsively, experts say.
- Myth: Only experts can prevent #suicide.
- Anyone, including you, can help prevent #suicide.
- Myth: People don’t talk about plans to commit #suicide.
- Clark said studies show that most suicidal people communicate their intention sometime during the week before their attempt.
- Myth: People who talk about #suicide don’t take action.
- Many people who talk about #suicide will attempt or event complete an act of self-destruction.
- Myth: Once someone decides to commit #suicide, nothing can stop them.
- #Suicide is among the most preventable of all deaths and almost any positive action we take may save a life, Clark said.
Clark notes that there are a number of other health, historical and environmental factors that can also play a major role in #mentalhealth and well-being, including:
- Serious or chronic health conditions such as cancer, leukemia, rheumatoid arthritis, and others.
- Severe and/or chronic pain.
- Serious head injuries.
- Family history of #suicide.
- Family history of #mentalhealthconditions.
- #Childhoodabuse.
- Previous #suicideattempts.
- Prolonged and/or severe #stress, or extremely stressful life event.
- Ready access to lethal means of #suicide.
- Exposure to other suicides/contagion factor.
Signs to watch for
Everyone can play a part in helping lower the #suicide rate and save lives, Clark said.
“We need a culture where everyone knows to be smart about #mentalhealth,” she said, noting that just two in five people with a #mentalhealthcondition actually seek treatment.
If someone suffers a broken arm or gets hurt in a car accident, they are quick to seek medical treatment. Yet if they are having emotional or #mentalhealth concerns or crises, they hesitate to get help, she said.
“We need to make #mentalhealth just as much a priority as physical health.” Clark said. “People need to seek professional treatment, get evaluated, discuss treatment options and find what works best for them.”
She offered some warning signs to watch for in friends and loved ones, including:
- Changes in mood, especially becoming depressed, apathetic, enraged, irritable, impulsive, acting humiliated, anxious or agitated.
- Changes in #behavior, including increased use of #drugs or #alcohol, #insomnia, acting recklessly, withdrawing from activities, isolating from family and friends, giving away possessions.
- Looking for ways to kill themselves, or talk of #suicide or death, being a burden to others, feeling trapped, unbearable pain, having no reason to live.
What to do?
If you become concerned about someone, how can you help?
Reach out and talk to them in private, listen to them, express concern and tell and show them that you care, Clark suggests. Don’t be afraid to ask them directly if they are having #suicidalthoughts and encourage them to seek #mentalhealthservices. She said to avoid minimizing their feelings, trying to convince them life is worth living and giving them advice on how to ‘fix’ everything.
“If you think they are at risk, stay with them, secure or remove lethal means and seek or escort them to #mentalhealth help,” Clark said. “This can be done by taking them to the local emergency room or by calling for emergency help.”
For emergency help
Call the #SuicidePreventionLifeline 1-800-273-TALK or text the Crisis Text Line 741-741 for help, or dial 911 for emergencies. On campus, Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS)
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
