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One of the things that continue to motivate me, to be a voice and advocate for mental health awareness, is observing the state of our young generation of students as they are going through their developmental years.
Most young people go through what is called adverse childhood experiences (ACE’s), and the bottom line is, the more adverse childhood experiences they go through, the more likely they will have mental challenges and suicidal tendencies as they get older.
Times sure have changed from when I was a little boy, innocently riding my bicycle or skateboard up and down the street, and playing with my childhood friends.
Today’s young people, because they are growing up in the age of “technology”, never truly learn how to form deep personal meaningful relationships with other people as they are growing up, and of course, that will affect them once they get to adulthood.
Most students will suffer some anxiety, depression, loneliness, and thoughts of suicide, once they move away from home and undergo the stressful rigors of trying to become a college student.
One thing I know for sure is that mentoring works. I have been a mentor off and on throughout the years, and still, have terrific mentors in my life to give me guidance and advice. I am also a Board of Director with Mentor Washington, a statewide mentoring umbrella organization that works with the vast majority of mentoring agencies in the State of Washington.
If you haven’t considered being a mentor, consider it, it is one of the most rewarding experiences that you will ever have. If you need more information on mentoring, please feel free to touch base with me.
Mentoring is one approach that may improve the health and well-being of YMHC, (Youth with Mental Health Challenges) through both prevention efforts before serious mental health concerns emerge, and intervention efforts, when symptoms have already appeared. In the past decade, programs have been emerging that are designed to target youth (mentees), and sometimes even mentors, specifically because they have been identified as having mental health challenges, and/or as meeting criteria for an emerging mental health problem, such as heightened aggression, inattention, or suicide ideation. The field is in its infancy in understanding the promise, potential impact, and potential challenges of mentoring relationships for YMHC, and the evidence-based program elements needed to implement and sustain programs designed to serve YMHC in the community and mental health system contexts.
Mentoring programs for YMHC may focus on providing mentoring as primary prevention, in order to prevent mental health symptoms from developing in the first place among youth identified as at-risk, and/or mentoring as early intervention, in order to prevent additional negative developmental outcomes (e.g., cognitive, socio-emotional, identity) among youth with existing mental health challenges (i.e. after symptoms emerge). The focus of this review is not on primary prevention studies, but rather on intervention studies of mentoring for those with existing mental health challenges.
Research on mentoring programs for youth with mental health challenges shows the most evidence of having a positive effect on mental health symptoms and academic outcomes, with less evidence supporting social and life functioning outcomes.
Both site-based mentoring programs in schools and community-based natural support teams show preliminary evidence of being helpful for youth with mental health challenges.
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
