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James Donaldson on Mental Health – New suicide prevention course to help loved ones
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Harriet Heywood
BBC News, Cambridgeshire
Chronic pain and poor mental health were closely linked, said Lisa Gibson from CPSL Mind
A mental health charity is offering free suicide prevention training to people who are supporting others living with a chronic condition.
Lisa Gibson, from Cambridgeshire, Peterborough and South Lincolnshire Mind (CPSL Mind), said it would be the local branch’s first workshop focused around chronic pain and its affect on mental health.
Experiencing pain day after day could cause depression and anxiety, which could lead to suicide, the charity said.
The one-hour online sessions begin on 27 February and aim to help people recognize the warning signs, ask about suicide and support those at risk.
Ms Gibson, head of services, innovation and business development at CPSL Mind, said it was “human instinct to panic” if you discovered that someone wanted to end their life.
She said one in four people experienced a mental health challenge in any given year, but this increased for people with a chronic condition.
“It can lead to that sense of isolation, affect relationships, work and stop us having a really good night’s sleep… which has an impact on our mental health,” she said.
The charity has promoted “five ways to well-being“, which include getting enough sleep, staying connected, being physically active, learning something new and being generous with time.
Ms Gibson said: “But all of those things are more difficult when our focus is constantly drawn away by a physical condition that’s maybe causing us discomfort or distress.
“That definitely takes a toll and adds to that mental health burden.”
#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
Catherine Melia, 31, from Stamford, near Peterborough, said she “blamed” herself for the chronic pain she experienced, before it was diagnosed as endometriosis.
She said: “My self-esteem plummeted as I was constantly comparing myself to ‘normal’ people.
“Not only was I suffering physically, but my mental health was getting progressively worse, as I saw no way of improving my quality of life.
“I was depressed, always feeling scared for that one week a month where, at any point, I would be crawling on the floor, shaking, crying and sweating in agony.”
Since her diagnosis five years ago, she said her mental health was “still a daily battle” while living with chronic pain.
But she added that understanding her diagnosis and the effects it could have had helped her to manage it.
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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:
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 [email protected] 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
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