I’ve never met #ChrisHoltmann and likely never will, but he has become my new hero.
Holtmann, the #OhioStateUniversity men’s #basketball coach, recently took on the peanut gallery of online trolls who are unhappy that star player D.J. Carton has taken an indefinite leave of absence to deal with his #mentalhealth.
Because they generate millions of dollars for their schools and the gambling industry – let’s face it – it can be easy to forget that college #athletes are, at their core, kids who still are trying to figure themselves out.
They must do so while enduring a level of scrutiny and pressure that would make most of us tap out.
Carton’s right to be a healthy human being is more important than our demand to be entertained.
#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
Sixty percent
As enlightened as we have become, #American culture still fosters a toxicity in which #boys and #men aren’t allowed to be afraid, to fail, to break.
It’s even worse for #black boys, who are viewed as older, tougher and, yes, more threatening than other boys. This is one of many reasons why they’re far less likely to be seen as someone who needs #mentalhealthtreatment.
However, the #suicide rates for #black boys 15 to 19, is on steroids.
A 2017 study published by the Journal of Community Health shows a doubling of the #suicide rates for #black #girls ages 13 to 19. For #black #boys in the same category, the rate has jumped 60 percent.
The study also found that #suicide by #black #boys 5 to 12 is outpacing #boys from other racial and ethnic groups.
Imagine the response in Columbus if the #teen #suicide rate in Bexley, Upper Arlington or New Albany, Ohio, jumped by 60 percent.
In 2019, American Academy of Pediatrics published excerpts from the “Trends of Suicidal Behaviors among High School #Students in the United States: 1991-2017,” which found “increases in suicidal behaviors and thoughts among #black #teens far outstripping trends among their peers” and that the incidence of injury as a result of attempting #suicide is rising for #black #boys.
Feel-better rituals
In Prince George’s County, Maryland, a #policeofficer was suspended last month — as he should have been — for posting a video of #DelonteWest, a former #ClevelandCavaliers player who is homeless as a result of his acute #mentalillness.
Just because someone’s superpower is athletics, it doesn’t mean they can’t also be broken people in desperate need of help.
Now, we know there are old-school jocks and fans who scoff at the notion of a star #athlete needing a #mentalhealth break. After all, he’s got it made, right?
If something happens to Carton, you already know what’s next: Makeshift memorials materializing outside of the Schottenstein Center, #Facebook pages and internet memes, commemorative shirts and his photo on the Jumbotron; all rituals to make ourselves feel better.
Coach Holtmann deserves credit for understanding it shouldn’t have to come to that.
Charita Goshay writes for the Canton (Ohio) Repository, a Gannett newspaper. Contact her at 330-580-8313 or email
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
