James Donaldson on Mental Health – Frequent Exposure to Gun Violence Is Associated with Depression, Suicide and Mental Health

In Rutgers Health study, nearly 40% of participants surveyed reported hearing gunshots multiple times throughout their lives

Exposure to gun violence can severely impact one’s mental health, often leading to depression, suicidal ideation and increased need for mental health support and resources, according to a Rutgers Health study.

This is the first study using nationally representative data that demonstrates a link between exposure to gun violence and suicide.

Daniel Semenza

Director of Research, New Jersey Gun Violence Research Center

A national survey of 8,009 non-institutionalized people older than 18 participated in an online-based panel that examined the relationship between gun violence exposure and mental health, including suicide. The study outlined both lifetime and past year exposure to gun violence and the association it has with increased depression and suicide risks.

“This is the first study using nationally representative data that demonstrates a link between exposure to gun violence and suicide,” said lead author Daniel Semenza, director of research at the New Jersey Gun Violence Research Center and assistant professor at the Department of Urban-Global Public Health at the Rutgers School of Public Health and in the Department of Sociology, Anthropology and Criminal Justice at Rutgers University. “When we think about what we can do to improve suicide prevention efforts, we have to include interpersonal violence prevention in the conversation.”

Nearly 40% of participants reported hearing gunshots multiple times throughout their lives. Overall, 12% of the participants said they experienced high exposure to gun violence, with five or more incidents throughout their lives, while about 27% said they had heard a gunshot within the past year alone.

More frequent and more recent gun violence exposure was generally associated with a heightened risk for depression, suicide and increased use of mental health services.

More frequent and more recent gun violence exposure was generally associated with a heightened risk for depression, suicide and increased use of mental health services.

The recent study was published in the journal Social Science & Medicine.

Semenza and coauthors of the study found that gun violence exposure, even when indirect, has profound consequences on mental health. They said that addressing interpersonal violence is essential for any strategy aimed at reducing suicide rates. Their findings reveal that both single instances and repeated exposure to various forms of gun violence significantly harm mental well-being.

Participants reported repeated exposure to certain forms of gun violence, such as knowing someone who died by firearm suicide (8%), being threatened with a gun (5%), knowing a family member or friend who was shot (6%) and witnessing a shooting (3%).

“Gun violence exposure is harmful for many different health outcomes, but this study shows that both the frequency and the recency of exposure to gun violence is detrimental to mental well-being,” Semenza said.

#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
Find out more about the work I do on my 501c3 non-profit foundation
website www.yourgiftoflife.org Order your copy of James Donaldson’s latest book,
#CelebratingYourGiftofLife: From The Verge of Suicide to a Life of Purpose and Joy

Click Here For More Information About James Donaldson

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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