September is #NationalSuicidePreventionMonth and SpeakUp ReachOut is offering 13 free trainings and events throughout the month
Staff Report
If you or someone you know is in crisis, call The Hope Center of the Eagle Valley at 970-306-HOPE (4673) or Colorado Crisis Services at 844-493-8255.
If there is one thing SpeakUp ReachOut would like you to know during the month of September, it is that you do not have to be a #mentalhealthprofessional to make a difference in someone’s life. September is #NationalSuicidePreventionMonth and SpeakUp ReachOut is offering 13 free trainings and events throughout the month for community members to get involved and learn how to provide hope to someone in need.
Approximately 80% of all people who die by #suicide are of working age (18-65) making the workplace the most cross-cutting system for #suicideprevention, intervention and crisis response. Workplace #suicideprevention is more than just offering an employee assistance program. SpeakUp Reach Out will offer a free Zoom workshop on Sept. 2 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. — #SuicidePrevention in the Workplace — to provide information on what organizations can do to be on the cutting edge. National #suicideprevention expert Dr. Sally Spencer Thomas will lead this training.
#JamesDonaldson 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
“Through the generous support of Eagle Valley Behavioral Health, we are able to elevate our events to include national speakers which offers new and different lenses about the tough topic of #suicideprevention and loss,” said Erin Ivie, executive director of SpeakUp ReachOut. “The workplace workshop introduces the new national guidelines for workplace #suicideprevention and offers tangible tools to implement in your workplace. I encourage our community to embrace this free offering and learn more about how to save a life through #suicide safer workplaces.”
Another upcoming event featuring a national speaker is SpeakUp ReachOut’s annual Community Walk and Memorial Butterfly Launch on Sept. 12 at 8:30 a.m. at Freedom Park in Edwards. Anne Moss Rogers, an expert in #mentalhealth, #suicideprevention and grief, will present “How To Turn Pain Into Purpose” and share her story of the loss of her #teenage son’s death by #suicide and how to support those who are suffering from the loss of a loved one to #suicide. This event will also feature a Benediction ceremony led by Molly Fiore Booker to honor those we have lost to #suicide.
“Many people are experiencing loss right now due to #COVID-19,” said Carol Johnson, SpeakUp ReachOut’s director of programs and events. “Loss of routine and loss of our normal way of life is a very real struggle and a common reaction to trauma. Join us and Anne Rogers for our annual Walk as we provide much-needed community connection to overcome loss.”
For the full list of SpeakUp ReachOut upcoming trainings in English and Spanish, visit https://www.speakupreachout.org/training-sessions.
SpeakUp ReachOut, founded in 2009, exists to prevent #suicideprevention in the Eagle River Valley through training, awareness and hope. Visit http://www.speakupreachout.org to learn more.
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
