55% of opioid overdose deaths among employed British Columbians were people working in #construction trades
#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
Former #NHL goaltender and Canadian #Olympian turned #mentalhealthadvocate #CoreyHirsch will visit Fort St. John in the new year to talk about wellness in the #construction industry.
Hirsch will be in town Feb. 3 as part of a provincial speaking tour with the Independent Contractors and Businesses Association, where he has taken on the role of the organization’s wellness ambassador.
The construction industry is particularly challenged by #mentalhealth and addictions — according to the ICBA, 55% of #opioid overdose deaths among employed British Columbians were people working in #construction trades, more than double the second-most impacted group of workers in sales and services, at 21%.
#Mentalhealth claims meanwhile were up 25% pre-#pandemic between 2017 to 2019, and the risk of #suicide for those working in #construction is seven times the national average.
“We have a #mentalhealthchallenge in our society, and #construction is no exception. We have to act or too many of our friends and co-workers will suffer in silence, which all-too-often leads to tragic results,” Hirsch said in a statement. “Together, ICBA and I will spread our message of the importance of starting conversations and breaking down the #stigma around #mentalhealth, addiction and #suicide.”
The ICBA says 50 companies and more than 3,000 #construction professionals have been enrolled in its wellness program since it launched earlier this year.
The program features ongoing client support, self-paced online courses, toolbox talks and more for construction workers, and the ICBA says Hirsch will play a key role in providing #mentalhealthadvocacy and expertise to the program.
“Every contractor wants to see the people working on their job sites physically and mentally well. ICBA Wellness is tailored to construction workplaces and workforces, and having Corey as our ICBA Wellness Ambassador will help us reach even more people,” said ICBA President Chris Gardner.
“We are excited to connect Corey with our members around the province. We believe his story will resonate with construction workers and help open up new conversations about #mentalhealth, #stigma, #suicide and addiction.”
Hirsch will speak in Fort St. John on Feb. 3, and will also make a stop in Prince George on Feb. 4. Registration is free.
To learn more and to register, visit the ICBA website.
About Corey Hirsch
Corey Hirsch is a former NHL goaltender, coach and an Olympic Games silver medalist and currently a colour commentator for the Vancouver Canucks with SportsNet Radio. Following his professional hockey career and after dealing with his own #mentalhealth struggles, he embarked on a mission to open a conversation to end the #stigma around #mentalhealth.
In 1994, just three years after being drafted by the New York Rangers, Corey both won a silver medal and drank from the Stanley Cup as a member of the Rangers’ championship team. What no one knew was that Corey tried to take his own life that same year.
Months later, he was traded to the Vancouver Canucks and went on to play 100 more #NHL games, before finishing his career in Europe. The entire time, Corey struggled with his #mentalhealthissues.
When he could no longer play due to debilitating panic attacks and severe weight loss, he finally reached out to his team trainer. Corey was eventually diagnosed with obsessive compulsive disorder and got the lifesaving treatment that he needed.
Corey would go on to coach goaltenders with the Maple Leafs and Blues, before joining Sportsnet Radio to do colour commentary for the Canucks.
In February 2017, Corey wrote a piece for The Players’ Tribune, sharing publicly his #mentalhealth diagnosis and #suicideattempt. His story sparked important conversations within #hockey and beyond, as more #athletes began to open up about #mentalhealth.
Today, Corey is an advocate in the battle to end the #stigma around #mentalhealth. He is an engaging speaker that educates, motivates, and inspires his audience. He gives hope to others struggling by showing vulnerability and letting people know they are not alone. He has joined ICBA as Wellness Ambassador for 2022 and will be embarking on a multi-city speaking tour and providing content for ICBA’s Workplace Wellness program.
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
