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
The suicide rate among physicians far exceeds that of the general population. Suicide among physicians is commonly attributed to job stress and inadequate treatment.1 Despite these figures, physicians rarely receive appropriate care, with many citing stigma, time constraints, costs, and confidentiality concerns as barriers to seeking help.2
Matthew L. Goldman, MD, of the Psychiatry Department of Columbia University Medical Center; Carol A. Bernstein, MD, of the New York University School of Medicine; and Richard F. Summers, MD, of the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, outlined the benefits and risks of implementing standardized mental health screenings for physicians in an article published in JAMA.3
At present, only 1 mental health screening resource for physicians is described in the literature. The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s Interactive Screening Program is a web-based platform that provides confidential screening resources to users. Additionally, a 2017 update to the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education Common Program Requirements dictates that physician training programs must provide “access to appropriate tools for self-screening.”4 Benefits to introducing a standardized screening process include early detection of mental health conditions and timely implementation of suicide prophylaxis. Currently, a 7-item Physician Well-Being Index has been validated as a measure of mental quality of life and suicidal ideation among practitioners, although no longitudinal data exist to support its impact on improved outcomes. Even so, research in the general population supports the efficacy of early detection for improved linkage with appropriate care.
A number of risks exist alongside the implementation of a mental health screening program for physicians, the authors wrote. Confidentiality is of concern to patients, particularly those who receive treatment within their same institution of work. Moreover, many physicians cite concerns regarding staff privileging, as licensure applications require reporting of mental health status. In response to these concerns, the authors noted, physicians should be made aware of the distinction between seeking help for depression and undergoing assessment for impairment.
To combat these concerns, the authors suggested an anonymous online screening platform for care triage, such as that offered by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. Depression screenings should also be embedded in primary care, authors wrote, to bypass concerns about confidentiality, cost, and timing. Institution-level psychiatric resource programs could further reduce barriers to care access and improve physician health outcomes.
The US Preventive Services Task Force recommends annual depression screening for adults.5Substantial psychiatric research shows that this recommendation should be followed for the physician population to lessen the burden of depression and mitigate the risk for suicide among this group.
References
- Gold KJ, Sen A, Schwenk TL. Details on suicide among US physicians: data from the National Violent Death Reporting System. Gen Hosp Psychiatry. 2013;35(1):45-49.
- Guille C, Speller H, Laff R, Epperson CN, Sen S. Utilization and barriers to mental health services among depressed medical interns: a prospective multisite study. J Grad Med Educ. 2010;2(2):210-214.
- Goldman ML, Bernstein CA, Summers RF. Potential risks and benefits of mental health screening of physicians. JAMA. 2018;320(24):2527-2528.
- Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education. ACGME Common Program Requirements. https://www.acgme.org/Portals/0/PFAssets/ProgramRequirements/CPRs_2017-07-01.pdf. Updated July 1, 2017. Accessed August 22, 2018.
- Siu AL, for the US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF). Screening for depression in adults. US Preventive Services Task Force recommendation statement. JAMA. 2016;315(4):380-387.
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
