James Donaldson notes:
Welcome to the “next chapter” of my life… being a voice and an advocate for mental health awareness and suicide prevention, 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 suicidal thoughts 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
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KMBC/KAKE) –
Kansas City police officers were called Friday to respond to an unthinkable situation. One of their own had gone missing and was feared to be suicidal.
“This type of call is one that happens often for members of the KCPD,” said Sgt. Jake Becchina. “Only this time it was one of our own, a dedicated officer who has served the department for approximately 10 years.”
Liberty police found the officer’s vehicle in a church parking. The officer was inside, suffering from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
The officer, who has not been identified, was rushed to a hospital where he remained on life support until his organs could be donated. He passed away Monday.
KMBC reports the officer’s suicide highlights a growing trend among law enforcement.
“This is really an epidemic among our family at this point,” said Brad Lemon, president of the local Fraternal Order of Police. “I can name every officer who’s died in the line of duty since I’ve taken the job. I cannot come close to naming every officer who’s chosen to take their own lives. That’s how bad it is. Something has to change.”
Lemon said that hotlines are not enough and the department needs to reach out to officers proactively, adding that the city has yet to create a peer counseling program that was part of a new law passed this past August.
“At the end of the day, don’t we all just want healthy first responders?” Lemon said.
In 2017, there were more suicide deaths among members of law enforcement than deaths in the line of duty.
Sgt. Brett Doolittle with the Kansas City, Kansas Police Department took his own life just three days before his 35th birthday.
“My husband did not reach out for help. I wish he would have,” Doolittle’s widow, Lindsey Doolittle, said. “My husband thought he was doing me a favor when he ended his life. He really thought he was a burden.”
She said she and friends knew her husband was struggling and they tried to help until the day Doolittle found her husband slumped in a chair in their garage.
“I remember taking three deep breaths before screaming,” Doolittle said.
She’s now talking to other law enforcement officers, sharing the pain, the struggle and the guilt that came later.
“We don’t say people are weak when they die of cancer. We don’t say someone is selfish if they die of a heart attack,” Doolittle said.
A big part of Doolittle’s message is that there is no shame in not being OK and that it’s not your fault.
Her hope is that awareness for these types of issues will become a movement. She is now part of Suicide Awareness Survivor Support.
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
