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James Donaldson on Mental Health – Record suicides ‘a wake-up call’ to challenge current approach to mental health care
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Key takeaways:
The rise in suicide rates underscores the failure of the current mental health care approach.
Collaboration and empathy are two key solutions to address challenges within the system.
A recently released report from the CDC revealed a grim milestone in mental health — a record-breaking 50,000 suicides in 2022.
This is a 3% increase from the previous year, serving as haunting proof that our current approach to mental health care is failing those who need it most. While the numbers are alarming, it is more concerning to ignore them.
It’s imperative to dissect the existing mental health care continuum in the U.S., acknowledging the stark realities and gaps that contribute to this alarming rise in suicides. The statistics, such as those provided by the CDC, are not just numbers but represent lives lost and a system in dire need of reevaluation.
A critical examination of the mental health care system reveals significant gaps, hindering effective care. Addressing the mental health crisis requires a multifaceted approach, centered on accessibility, the patient and provider relationship, and personalized care.
Accessibility through technological advancements
Accessibility to mental health services remains a hurdle, with more than one-third of the U.S. population facing a shortage of mental health care providers, according to an editorial in Nature Mental Health. In addition, some areas in the system are ill-equipped to address the diverse and complex needs of our population, leaving many feeling overlooked and neglected. As we navigate these challenges, it becomes crucial to highlight potential solutions that can pave the way for a more effective and compassionate mental health care system.
Moreover, embracing innovative technologies can enhance accessibility to mental health services, reaching those who might otherwise be left without support. Telehealth platforms, mental health apps and other digital solutions can democratize mental health care, ensuring that geographical barriers and resource constraints do not impede someone’s journey to healing.
By leveraging technology and telehealth capabilities, patients can communicate directly with their care team between sessions, ensuring consistent, quality care and access to resources at their convenience. When the person on the other end of the communication is familiar with the patient and their history, the interaction is comprehensive and individualized to best support specific therapeutic approaches, interventions or coping strategies.
Empathy at every level of care
As a patient heals, they may need different types of care during the journey. This often means a new provider, which brings up uncertainty as they have to begin the entire process of getting to know and trust someone all over again, in addition to feeling that they will need to once again get someone up to speed on their background. Having the same provider be with the patient during every step of their journey allows for the same level of understanding throughout the care continuum. Patients no longer feel handed off, but instead constantly supported at every level of care.
A strong patient and provider relationship is critical to improving mental health, and many times a provider only has “one shot” during the initial visit to make a connection. This is why having a mental health provider who exhibits empathy from the start is nonnegotiable. Mental health facilities must assess personalities upfront to ensure the patient and provider will be a strong match, and that the provider can adapt approaches that can lead to more positive outcomes.
Today, there are assessments available that can help determine the strength of the therapeutic alliance. This creates a new standard of care for organizations, empowering them to predict who’s likely to be successful and stay for the long term, a benefit to both the patient and the system alike.
#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
Mental health is deeply personal, and the approach to care should be, too, tailored to align with an individual’s specific experiences, circumstances and preferences. Personalized mental health care promotes a more empathetic and deep understanding that can not only increase positive experiences but also foster a stronger connection of trust between the patient and provider.
There is no “one right way” to achieve mental well-being. By combining evidence-based therapies and a compassionate personal touch, patients can have a stronger chance to recover, grow and experience an improved quality of life.
While these changes won’t happen overnight, it is incumbent upon us to begin shifting the narrative surrounding how mental health care is addressed. The record number of suicides in 2022 serves as a wake-up call, an urgent plea for change. The path forward will not be forged by a single organization but rather through a collaborative endeavor of voices, hands and hearts.
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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 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
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