James Donaldson notes: I am turning more and more of my time and efforts towards mental health issues, especially pertaining to our young people 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 Lewis and Clark Suicide Prevention Coalition, spearheaded by Lewis and Clark Public Health, launched a new campaign this week called Man Therapy, which aims to reduce the stigma surrounding mental health for working-aged men.
Man Therapy uses a humorous multi-media approach to help cut through the stigma surrounding mental health issues like depression, divorce, and suicidal thoughts.
Project Lead and AmeriCorps VISTA volunteer Jess Hegstrom said the site helps give men and the people who care about them a place to go to learn more about mental health.
“When you go the website, you meet Dr. Rich Mahogany, a character created to help visitors feel at ease,” said Hegstrom. “Dr. Mahogany is a man’s man who is dedicated to cutting through the denial with a fresh approach using his odd sense of humor, straightforward approach, and practical, useful advice for men. His goal is to debunk the age-old stigma that says mental health disorders are an unmanly sign of weakness.”
Hegstrom added the campaign is great at helping men and those they love to broach the subject of suicide.
“We know that if we talk to someone that is feeling suicidal that it’s cathartic, it gives them the opportunity to get that off their chest, to feel like their feelings are validated and to move on to help,” said Hegstrom.
Montana leads the nation is suicides and Lewis and Clark Public Health said the county is no exception.
In 2017, there were 19 suicides in the Lewis and Clark County with 15 of them being men.
Drenda Niemann, Health Officer of Lewis and Clark Public Health, said Lewis and Clark County also saw a 58.3 percent increase in suicides over 2016, which should be very concerning.
“15 percent of high school students reported that they attempted suicide last year,” said Niemann. “That is a scary statistic for our partners throughout the county.”
The Lewis and Clark Suicide Prevention Coalition is actively working to screen children in school for mental health.
“If we can make sure all people within our community are being screened in some way we’ll catch individuals more quickly that are in need of some support and get them routed to professional help as early as possible,” said Niemann.
The Suicide Prevention Coalition will hold a kick-off party for Man Therapy on September 28 from 5-8 p.m. at Lewis and Clark Brewery.
The event is free and open to the public.
If you or a loved one is currently experiencing suicidal thoughts, please reach out to local law enforcement or call the suicide lifeline.
National Suicide Lifeline:
1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255)
National Suicide Lifeline TTY:
1-800-799-4TTY (1-800-799-4889)
Text Telephone Device or Telecommunication Device for the Deaf (TDD)
National LGBT Youth Suicide Lifeline:
1-866-4-U-TREVOR (1-866-488-7386)
www.thetrevorproject.org
National Military Veterans Suicide Lifeline:
1-800-273-TALK *Press 1 (1-800-273-8255 *Press 1)
www.veteranscrisisline.net
-Reporting by John Riley
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
