Shawn Ayers and Greg Bowmana
Content warning: This story discusses #suicide.
The province’s #MentalHealth and Addictions Crisis Line can be reached 24/7 by calling 1-888-429-8167.
November marks #Men’s Health Awareness Month in Canada and a new study finds workplace factors are contributing to poor #mentalhealth for #men.
A survey by the website HeadsUpGuys found that nearly half of Canadian #men score above the threshold for probable major #depression.
#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
Founder of HeadsUpGuys, and UBC Psychiatry professor, Dr. John Ogrodniczuk, says the findings point to a “crisis” in the workplace.
“We see that #suicide is actually the second-leading cause of death for #men under 50. It’s truly shocking,” he told CityNews.
“I think that it really represents a serious public health crisis and we’re really not talking about it that much at all.”
Ogrodniczuk says the disproportionate number of #men who die by #suicide is what inspired his resource.
“HeadsUp Guys is a place where they can go become informed, learn about important self-help strategies which is really important but also learn about different ways to connect with others who can provide valuable support and guidance in their journey to recovery,” he said.
The survey found one in three participants report thoughts of #suicide or #self-injury “at least a few times a week” and 55 per cent being lonely, which the report says is a risk factor for #suicide.
“It really behooves us to really try doing things differently to connect with #men in a different kind of way,” Ogrodniczuk noted.
With the survey focused on #men in the workplace, Ogrodniczuk says it points to the need for better support by employers to ensure #men’s #mentalhealth is addressed properly.
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
