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
The number of children and young adults visiting the emergency department for psychiatric concerns rose 28 percent over a four-year period, and visits having to do with suicide more than doubled, according to a study published this week in the journal Pediatrics.
The findings amplify concerns that the #mentalhealth care system is failing to meet the country’s needs, forcing people to rely on #emergencyrooms ill-equipped to deal with psychiatric concerns.
“If it’s a true crisis, the #emergency department is really one of the only places we have,” said Luther Kalb, a co-author of the study and assistant professor at the Kennedy Krieger Institute in Baltimore. “But it’s not the best place to get routine care.”
Researchers examined national data on #emergencyroom visits between 2011 and 2015.
They found the growth in visits was largely driven by adolescents and youth of color, but they’re not sure why. It could reflect a greater prevalence of #mentalillness, or it could be the result of greater awareness leading people to seek help, Kalb said.
Researchers also found only 16 percent of patients in the #emergencyroom for psychiatric concerns saw a mental health specialist. When the visits were for #suicide or self-harm specifically, that number went up to just 37 percent.
“Even in a crisis, you’re not going to get the most qualified care there,” Kalb said.
Many ERs don’t have a psychologist or psychiatrist on staff, and there’s an overall shortage of #mentalhealth providers in the country.
But as rates of #suicide increase across the nation, and about one in 10 youth struggle with a serious psychiatric disorder, experts are increasingly turning to emergency rooms as an opportunity to identify people at risk and get them help before they get worse.
A recent federally funded study found nearly a third of children ages 10 to 12 who were asked about #suicidal thoughts in the #emergency room were identified as at-risk — including 7 percent of those who had gone to the #emergency room for physical complaints only.
The study authors said their results show how important it is to screen kids as young as 10 for #suicide risk.
But in many emergency rooms, this type of screening doesn’t happen, meaning youth with psychiatric concerns can go home without #mentalhealthcare.
It also means the increase in psychiatric visits seen in recent years is an undercount. “When you actively screen for #mentalhealth problems in the (emergency department), you’re going to get a much higher number,” Kalb said.
By the time individuals visit the #emergency room for #mentalhealth concerns, they’re often in crisis, Kalb said.
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
