A ride into Trenton via U.S. Route 1 South delivers a compelling in-your-face billboard message on the north side of the highway.
Just about a quarter-mile from the Perry St. exit the large post shows a Black male on the phone, suggesting a call being made to 988 — a suicide and crisis lifeline. Contrary to self-inflicted allegations, Black people can benefit from emotional support, therapy and psychological intervention.
Mental illness and suicide present new challenges for Black community members, after shockwaves of a COVID-19 pandemic ravaged our lives disproportionately. Death and illness created new detriments that conjoined worn narratives of disparities in health care. Not surprisingly, Black youth and young adults face a rising tide of issues that place them at the epicenter of emotional turmoil.
According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the suicide rate among Black people between the ages of 10 to 24 rose by 36.6% between 2018 to 2021. Researchers have also observed that Black youth between 5 to 12 years old are twice as likely to die by suicide than their white peers.
An August 2023 report from the Johns Hopkins Center for Gun Violence Solutions, entitled, “Still Ringing the Alarm: An Enduring Call to Action for Black Youth Suicide Prevention,” highlights research and data and proposes meaningful recommendations to prevent Black youth suicide.
The title suggests inactivity on this crucial matter, particularly on behalf of Black LGBTQ youth who face disproportionate risk for suicide. Access to guns heightens suicide risk and potential for deadly outcomes. But then again, bells toll still for deadly disparities of breast cancer deaths between Black women and their White sisters; and the sirens sound for maternal inequities and dangers of childbirth for Black women; and alarms blare for gun violence that crackles and pops in Black neighborhoods.
Firearms are the most common method of suicide among Black boys ages 0-19, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). High levels of community violence and police violence involving firearms result in racial trauma, serving as risk factors for suicide, according to the CDC. Prior to the Johns Hopkins findings, others had pursued information on this Black youth suicide issue.
#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
On April 30, 2019, U.S. Representative Bonnie Watson Coleman established he Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) Emergency Taskforce on Black Youth Suicide and Mental Health, simultaneously empowering a working group, composed of the country’s leading Black academic, advocacy and practicing experts. For eight months, the task force and working group held hearings, forums, events and listening sessions to identify both the causes and potential solutions to this burgeoning crisis. On December 17, the task force released a report, and simultaneously introduced legislation aimed at closing the mental health care gap for black youth.
Still, if the Watson-Coleman influenced task force assembled four years ago and the Johns Hopkins report noted worsening conditions regarding Black youth suicide then we need to reconsider initiatives formed to combat these deaths.
Adequate funding almost always registers as a concern while education of parents, teachers, guidance counselors and other professionals appears necessary for recognition of signs and symptoms that may occur prior to suicide attempts. Plus, the effort to positively impact this issue demands a focus and Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King’s fierce urgency of now.
It’s time for open conversations about suicide in the Black community. Stop the stigma and let’s talk honestly about this worsening problem.
Of course, discussions on suicide across all demographics must continue. While sounding the alarm matters, this crisis demands meaningful action.
If you are in crisis or know someone who is, please call or share the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 or contact the Crisis Text Line by texting TALK to 988.
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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 [email protected] 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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