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 holiday season can be a difficult time for many people. WBFO’s senior reporter Eileen Buckley talked to one expert about why there is more anxiety, depression and holiday blues this time of year as the nation faces a mental health crisis.
“A lot of it is related to stress and things that are going on in people’s lives,” remarked Dr. Howard Hitzel, president and CEO of Best Self Behavioral Health.
We know the holiday season can generate more stress, but for those living with mental illness, it can escalate even more difficult feelings at Christmas and New Year’s.
“People who aren’t feeling very well – they look around them and they see everyone else in a festive mood with their families and that kind of thing and so sometimes people compare to those other folks and say what’s wrong with me and why don’t I feel like that or why don’t I have a family like other people have – so it can be difficult for some folks,” remarked Hitzel.
But the holiday season does not necessarily mean suicides increase. In fact, according to the Center for Disease Control, the suicide rate has been the lowest in December. Still, the time of year can increase depression and anxiety. We asked Hitzel about the mental health crisis and he noted there has always been mental illnesses, but in modern times it has become a more open topic and he’s seeing an increase with children at younger ages.
“The sooner we can intervene with young people that are having difficulties, the better off we’ll be – that really helping people identify difficulties in children at younger ages and also giving parents skills to help them be of help to their children is really important.
Hitzel tells us he’s encouraged by the ‘great conversation’ and acknowledgments now occurring around the topic of mental health and mental illness.
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
