By Katey Hearth
USA (MNN) — A new report confirms what experts warned all along – the #COVID-19 #pandemic is creating a serious mental health crisis.
The #pandemic is “a significant source of #stress” for 80-percent of U.S. #adults, the #AmericanPsychologicalAssociation found. One-in-five say their #mentalhealth is worse than it was at this time last year.
“The thing with the #pandemic [is] it has isolated people. [#Isolation is] Satan’s number one trick,” Dean Vander Mey of Set Free Ministries says.
“God created us to be relational. Loving God and loving others is the essence of life, according to Jesus.”
Dr. John Greden, founder and director of the University of Michigan Comprehensive #Depression Center, says #pandemic-related stressors compound #mentalillnesses. “Some people have preexisting #depression, bipolar and #anxiety conditions. They are intensified because of the #pandemic, job loss, #socialisolation, and sleep disturbances,” he explains.
“We have a collision of things underway. The combination is toxic.”
Simultaneously, fatal overdose and #suicide rates hit record highs in many states. Fatal opioid overdoses between March and September in Michigan were 15-percent higher than the same period last year. In one month, Kentucky saw nearly as many overdose deaths as it had during all of 2019.
Care facilities are overbooked throughout the country.
“We have people calling Set Free Ministries and some are suicidal. We say, ‘You need to get into a #mentalhealth facility to get assessed.’ They call back an hour later and say [the facilities are] all full,” Vander Mey says.
“That’s happening not only in Michigan but in other states as well.”
#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
Freedom from fear
The #pandemic may have ushered in a dark season, but hope remains. God prepared Set Free Ministries for such a time as this. In April, Set Free mobilized its staff and volunteers with the necessary technology to provide virtual care.
Telehealth may be the silver lining of #pandemic restrictions, Crain’s Detroit Business reports. “It’s proven very effective, especially with people locked in their homes,” Vander Mey says.
“We’re connecting with people, not only from West Michigan but from all over the U.S. and now all over the world. It’s really transformed how we do ministry here in the last six months.”
As explained here, Set Free Ministries utilizes a process outlined by Dr. Neil T. Anderson to help troubled believers find freedom through Christ.
“We’re up 35-, 40-percent over last year when it comes to the number of people we’re helping on a weekly basis. This is an amazing opportunity for people to reconnect with God. We use Scripture to reaffirm that, and we’re seeing all kinds of breakthroughs,” Vander Mey says.
“This (the #pandemic) is breaking a lot of people of their own strength, and even their own coping mechanisms that are no longer working. Drugs, alcohol, opioid abuse – those are symptoms of a much deeper spiritual and emotional issue that must be resolved.”
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
