James Donaldson on Mental Health – Where can you find help if you are thinking of suicide?

Gary Cosby Jr.

• It’s normal to experience mental health challenges, and seeking help is crucial.
• Talking to a trusted adult, such as a teacher, coach, or family member, is a vital first step.
• Reaching out to mental health professionals or calling the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline (988) can provide support and resources.
• Seeking help is not something to be ashamed of, and there are people available to assist those struggling with mental health issues.

If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org. 

If you are feeling like you are in trouble, perhaps contemplating suicide or harming others, where do you turn for help and what will happen if you do? What do you do if you feel hopeless or powerless to change your circumstances? Do you wonder if what you are feeling is ever going to change? Is it even worth it to try?

First of all, mental health experts agree that it’s OK to not be OK. Experts say that mental health challenges are common, and most people will feel some degree of depression, anxiety or hopelessness at various times in their lives, but it is important to know these feelings are not the end. They can be dealt with and overcome.

Kirsten Croxton is a senior at Hale County High School. She has dealt with some heavy mental health problems and now tries to help other young people get through their troubles. She agrees with the professionals. These feelings do not have to be permanent, and you can overcome them. One of the first things to do is talk to someone. Croxton has a teacher she often turns to for help.

“She teaches at Hale County Middle School. She’s an eighth-grade teacher. Her name is Melanie Maddox. I talked to her a lot about my situation. She’s very encouraging. She helps me out. She actually is a member of my church as well. So I do talk to her a lot. But you know, definitely, having a relationship with God and talking to God about it will take you a long way,” Croxton said.

Abby Horton, who teaches in the Capstone College of Nursing, said that having a adult you can trust is very important but if you are in trouble, just go to someone in your school, church, or home and tell them you need help.

“I would say the best thing to do is to go to that trusted adult. It might be your history teacher. It might be your dance or baseball coach. You know, the first adult that you see, have that conversation and say, ‘I need help.’ That’s all you have to say, ‘I need help.’ And then that teacher, that coach, that adult hopefully will be equipped to go in and immediately have a sit down, get the resources and help you need,” Horton said.

#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

Click Here For More Information About James Donaldson

It’s OK to be honest and there is no fear in seeking help. Horton said the first step with any mental health problem is a conversation. If you see someone at the school or you and your family seek help from a counselor or a doctor, it is not like the things you see in movies. It will begin with talking. Those professionals will help work out what the problem is and find out how best to help you.

After the evaluation, you might be referred to a mental health professional ? a doctor, psychologist, or counselor. If you are in a situation that requires it, you might be sent to the hospital for immediate help. The main thing is to not allow fear or hopelessness to keep you from telling someone that you feel bad and need some help.

Horton said that it is easy to get caught up in the circumstances that are causing you problems. It’s easy to believe there is no way out or that the situation will never change but finding an adult you trust to talk to will help see there is hope beyond this crisis she said. You are not alone.

If you are having thoughts of suicide or are just in a situation where you don’t know where to turn, you can call 988 on your cellphone for a private conversation with someone who can help you. That number is the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. You can also conduct an internet search for ways to get help.