While most people are still focused on the death toll and physical health issues created by the #COVID-19 #pandemic, fewer are thinking about the #mentalhealthissues that are taking a toll on all of us.
#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
#Mentalhealthissues are a burden for everyone — including our children.
According to a report in Stateline, the federal #CentersforDiseaseControlandPrevention says emergency room visits for #suicideattempts in #teens jumped 31% in 2020 compared to 2019. In February and March 2021, ER visits for #suicideattempts were 51% higher in #girls 12-17 compared to 2019.
Indeed, #teachers across the country have reported crying and disruptive #behavior in young #children and more bullying in #adolescents. And in October, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and the Children’s Hospital Association declared the decline of #mentalhealth in #children and #adolescents since the #pandemic started a national emergency.
“Nearly every #child in the country is suffering to some degree from the psychological effects of the pandemic,” said Sharon Hoover, co-director of the National Center for School #MentalHealth. She noted that while the #pandemic may end, the #mentalhealtheffects will continue.
Damage has been done to all of us. We must do what we can now to mitigate the long-term effects by investing in #mentalhealthresources. Officials and the #healthcare and insurance industries must find a way to make #mentalhealthresources more accessible to everyone. While we have made some gains in this department, there is more to be done.
Destigmatization of #mentalhealthchallenges — and a reminder that #mentalhealthcare is #healthcare, every bit as important as physical, dental, vision — are essential.
Lawmakers — federal, state and local — must not neglect this aspect of the #pandemic. There is no vaccine for it, and if we ignore it, it will not go away.
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
