KENNEWICK, WA – It’s been a strange year for almost everyone. From all of this stress, kids might find it difficult to deal with.
#Suicide is a hard topic for all of us to talk about. Annie Gabriel with Lutheran Community Services said the more we talk about it, the easier it is to have these conversations.
“About how health impacts us and ask questions about safety, ask questions about #suicide, the more likely youth will be able to come to us or answer honestly when they are having thoughts about #suicide,” Gabriel said.
Gabriel said often warning signs of #suicide are extreme changes in behaviors or moods.
“So we want to ask really good questions when we start seeing things out of the ordinary,” Gabriel said.
If you see extreme changes in mood, she said you should pay attention.
“So becoming really irritable or sad or depressed or also when you see someone who has a low mood for a long time and suddenly have a bright mood,” Gabriel said. “You want to follow-up with them with some really good questions.”
#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
When you see behaviors like giving away a prized possession, Gabriel said that is a red flag. She said giving away passwords to #socialmedia accounts is also a warning sign she has recently become aware of.
“If someone dies by #suicide, peers can be in control of their #socialmedia accounts,” Gabriel said.
She said you do not have to wait to reach out for support.
“So, they are both in person support or online support or hotline support that someone can reach out to, that we do not have to wait until we are in crisis,” Gabriel said.
Her best advice for someone who has thoughts of #suicide is to reach out.
“Let someone know whether it is someone you trust, a friend, a family member or someone from you faith community,” Gabriel said.
If you have negative experiences with #mentalhealthservices in the past, Gabriel said try somewhere else.
“I say that #mentalhealthservices are like shoes,” Gabriel said. “You have to try them on.”
She said sometimes they are not a good fit, but try another “pair of shoes.”
“So keep trying, keep reaching out, let people know what you need and help is out there,” Gabriel said.
One tangible way parents can support their kids is learning the symptoms and #mentalhealthchallenges. The Lutheran Community Services offers a program called “Youth #MentalHealth First Aid.”
Similar to first aid, Gabriel said you can learn how to respond in a medical emergency. You’ll also learn the signs and symptoms of #mentalhealthchallenges.
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
