By John Hackley – jhackley@timesgazette.com
Since its inception in February of 2020, the Highland County #SuicidePrevention Coalition has been working to stem #suicideattempts and deaths throughout the county.
The organization, comprised of local #healthprofessionals, social service professionals and community advocates, has a vision of leading the county in providing and promoting opportunities for all residents to become active in reducing suicides.
“They are really doing some great things,” said Paint Valley #Alcohol, #Drug Addiction and #MentalHealth Board (ADAMH) Associate Director Melanie Swisher, who is a member of the coalition. “I think we have good momentum right now, and I think the more the community knows about it, the more it will impact the community.”
In January, the group held a Highland County #SuicidePrevention Awareness Day and provided community training to help people know how to identify warning signs of #suicide and what to do to help someone who may be vulnerable.
The coalition, in partnership with the Highland County Health Department, has also provided resources to #schools in the county, and #counselors and #teachers were equipped with information about what to do if a #suicide happens in the #schools.
The Paint Valley ADAMH Board recently funded a program to provide the coalition with loss care packages for families of #suicide victims. Swisher said this is important as a “post-vention” measure because those who lose a loved one to #suicide are at a higher risk of #suicide themselves.
Wellness bags have also been provided to emergency rooms by the coalition to supply resources to people who come with #mentalhealthconcerns.
“They had this amazing outreach that they did at the fair for farmers that was really awesome,” said Swisher. The event was made possible by a #stigma reduction grant to Highland County Community Action through the Ohio Department of #MentalHealth.
“It was a breakfast and round-table called ‘Harvesting Healthy Minds’ that provided discussion and resources around #mentalhealth and #suicideawareness,” said Highland County Community Action Deputy Director Tara Campbell, who chairs the coalition.
#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
Campbell said it is important to understand the unique aspects of #suicideprevention in a rural community.
“A lot of farmers have a job where they work alone a lot, and they don’t have a job where they go in and there are people at work to greet them and to identify if they’ve been acting differently lately or not talking as much,” she said. “Obviously, with a lot farmers, there’s a lot of pride there, and you’re a hard worker and you learn to do a lot of things on your own as a farmer, so I think it’s hard for them to reach out and ask for help.”
On average, a million people die from #suicide annually around the world. In Ohio, there were 1,838 deaths by #suicide in 2020. There were seven deaths by #suicide in Highland County in 2021, and the 10-year high in the county was 11 in 2016.
“Untreated #depression is probably the biggest cause of suicides,” said Swisher. “That’s why we really want to let the community know it’s OK to reach out and get help, and we want to try to fight that #stigma against getting help for #mentalillness. We believe that if people would feel comfortable reaching out and getting help that would reduce the #suicide numbers.”
Campbell encouraged those interested in becoming part of the coalition to visit www.facebook.com/HighlandCoSPC.
The #NationalSuicideHotline can be reached at 800-273-8255 or locally at 937-393-9904. Additionally, help is available by texting ‘4HOPE’ to 741-741.
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
