- Schantel Thomas | Herald correspondent
As we enter a new day, we’ve learned that another precious life has been lost to #suicide.
Famous DJ and dancer #Stephen’tWitch’Boss, 40, formerly of “The #EllenDeGeneresShow” died by #suicide earlier this month.
Many of us are secretly crumbling inwardly and wear a smile on our faces; the battle between life and death is a constant reminder that many of us out here feel that the fight is won if we give up. The tussle to stay in the daily struggle in life or give up is an inward fight that too many of us face.
Unfortunately, #suicide is considered a way to fix the pain that someone considering the act faces; There is such a deep emotion of heaviness and anguish that happens that people with #mentalhealth are unable to contain, and it causes their mental status to be altered with the will to live, or the choice to give up and die. Emotionally it becomes draining and seems unsustainable to want to battle any longer.
Emotional dysregulation describes a poorly regulated #mentalhealthcondition; this emotional response to past #trauma makes it extraordinarily debilitating and hard to function daily if not regulated by a #healthcareprofessional. People who suffer are constantly battling emotional mood swings, up one day and down another, or simply in a tailspin of emotions. You will see them smiling and seem as if their lives are working themselves out, and in less than 24 hours, You hear the upsetting news that they have committed #suicide. This emotional development can come from a few occurrences that may have happened throughout life.
Someone suffering from life struggles, such as early #childhood #trauma, #childhood neglect, chronic low levels of invalidation, traumatic brain injury, and many others. Some symptoms are #suicidalthoughtattempts, #depression, #anxiety, #eatingdisorders, excessive #substanceuse, conflict in interpersonal relationships, and #self-harm. In this stage of someone’s battle, #suicide becomes the only way someone who is suicidal may think is the best option to fix their long-lasting pain with #suicidalthoughts. As much as we want to embrace those suffering from this disease, help them through this battle, and see them coping better, sometimes it doesn’t seem enough because mental duress is a constant battle to fight. Every day is a journey many faces at different times, and it is imperative to be under the close watch or supervision of a therapist to help guide you in the right way to be healthy.
#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
Order your copy of James Donaldson’s latest book,
#CelebratingYourGiftofLife:
From The Verge of Suicide to a Life of Purpose and Joy
www.celebratingyourgiftoflife.com
Have you heard the expression, “Giving up is too easy?”
Many who suffer from #mentalhealthstruggle daily without mental breaks, and every minute seems like an eternity to find peace from anything they may be facing; Thoughts are racing. It is exhausting for those who suffer. Mentally, lie Problems seem to run a marathon without any sign of interruption. We find ourselves under pressure, which is tricky because life throws hard blows; Sometimes, we can find a way to conquer and work through our difficult moments, but sometimes, we fall off course; it is difficult to get back on the path when seeking to figure out what course we should be on mentally, it can be too much for someone to navigate alone. Suicide is a deep thought of hopelessness and not envisioning a way or a solution to get through that anguish. Do you know someone battling #mentalhealth and needing assistance and support? I implore us to find help or be someone’s support system until they can find the best healthcare to help them through their battle.
At times life problems seem to be the champion hitting us and knocking us out as if we were in a boxing match, hitting us off balance until we lose grip and fall; a TKO, a Technical Knock Out until we stagger back onto our feet to stand again, and stay in the match, to keep fighting with every fabric of our being. We must keep hanging on to maneuver through; there is a brighter side to the pain we experience, and we have assistance to get us to a healthier side.
Let’s keep fighting with each blow life throws our way. If we choose to give up, we lose so much, and so many lose the incredible person we are. For those who may be suffering, we are here for you and need you here with us. The imprint on our hearts is the love we all share; we need each other’s heartfelt love in sorrow and even in the best of times. It’s okay to find help and reach out; you’re not alone, even when segments of our lives seem to unravel with no hope in sight. It is essential to come together and be intrusive with the concerns of those dealing with #mentalhealthissues.
If we can help, Let’s support someone through their battle. It starts with a conversation and then finding the proper help for those struggling; it’s okay to normalize pain that cuts so deeply and manifests in secret. Let us make it safe for those suffering to speak out about what they are going through to help them find the help that will save them from ending their lives. Many people who suffer so profoundly have contemplated #suicide many times before; they can be triggered very quickly by their traumatic experiences, and it could become that downward spiral that sends them into thoughts that they would be better off not hurting anymore or that their families and friends would be better off without them around.
Many other factors contribute to feeling emotionally tired of suffering from #mentalhealth We may have gone through the most challenging times in our lives and have experienced things that may be unforgiving to us, the racing thoughts may seem to persist without resolve, and it may seem like we’ve lost the war of our struggles, and the flashbacks keep blinking before our eyes; there is hope, don’t give up it doesn’t have to end with your life. If someone is struggling with #mentalhealth and seems suicidal, and you are their support system, please help them find proper help to see them through their hard times. If you are experiencing a #suicidecrisis, please call the #suicide and crisis hotline by dialing #988.
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
