#JamesDonaldson On #MentalHealth – #MentalHealthIssues Surging; It’s Time To Get Help

Connect with community resources by calling 2-1-1. Individuals in crisis or contemplating #suicide should contact #988

Natalie Kelly

Many people with #mentalhealth or #substanceusedisorder struggle alone. However, it doesn’t have to be that way. Help is available, regardless of one’s ability to pay for life-altering – and lifesaving – #behavioralhealthservices.

#Mentalhealth is just as important as physical health, and Florida’s seven Managing Entities oversee a network of #behavioralhealthproviders that provide essential #behavioralhealthservices to Florida’s uninsured and underinsured population.

According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, 32.3% of #adults in Florida reported symptoms of #anxiety and/or #depressivedisorder. And, of course, there’s the subset of individuals who have serious #mentalillness, including #bipolardisorder, major #depressivedisorder and #schizophrenia. According to the #SubstanceAbuse and #MentalHealthServicesAdministration, people with serious #mentalillnesses can manage their conditions, overcome challenges and lead meaningful, productive lives.

#MayisMentalHealthAwarenessMonth. The Florida Association of Managing Entities encourages Floridians facing #mentalhealth or #substanceusedisorder challenges to connect with community resources by calling 2-1-1. Community resources include, but are not limited to: #mentalhealthservices, #veterans support, transportation, disaster preparedness and more.

Individuals in crisis or contemplating #suicide should contact #988, the crisis and #suicidelifeline.

While it is well-documented that the #pandemic exacerbated and increased #mentalhealthissues among all #Americans, the #CentersforDiseaseControlandPrevention has emphasized that among #children and #teens, in the 10 years leading up to the #pandemic, persistent feelings of sadness and #hopelessness, as well as #suicidalthoughts, had increased by 40% among young people.

Florida’s local Managing Entities reach approximately three million Floridians who need #mentalhealth and #substanceusedisorder support, including #behavioralhealth, prevention and educational services. The #behavioralhealth direct services are provided by a network of 300 #behavioralhealth care providers who serve up to 300,000 of Florida’s most vulnerable residents, including #children, expectant mothers, #veterans and the chronically homeless.

#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
Find out more about the work I do on my 501c3 non-profit foundation
website www.yourgiftoflife.org                            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

Providers meet #patients’ diverse needs with “wraparound services” that not only address #mentalhealthissues and #substanceabuse, but also assist with housing, transportation and employment.

Managing Entities are governed by members of the community in each local region. Community boards administer, manage, and ensure accountability of state and federal funds for #behavioralhealth services, keeping oversight and accountability closest to the people they serve.

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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