The National Center for Health Statistics reports in August, Hawaii had the second highest rate for #depression and #anxiety in the country at 40 percent, just behind Nevada with 40.4 percent.
The #coronavirus pandemic is like no other crisis Kristina Lum has seen before.
“This #pandemic is affecting all aspects of life, whether it’s economic, social, it’s covering every part of somebody’s day to day,” said the psychologist and behavioral therapist.
She counsels people through trauma and says she sees more burnt-out essential workers, #depression, fear and stress from layoffs and restrictions. And there’s no end in sight.
“People are struggling with the #socialisolation. That is one of the strongest connectors that we know to #suicideideations,” she said.
The National Center for Health Statistics reports in August, Hawaii had the second highest rate for #depression and #anxiety in the country at 40 percent, just behind Nevada with 40.4 percent.
#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
Last week, Lum witnessed a #mentalhealth tragedy in her neighborhood in Hawaii Kai. A #man barricaded himself in his home in an hours-long standoff with #policeofficers. EMS said he later died in the hospital from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
“A lot of people are really shocked by the experience. And it was a very eye opening of a reminder on how we really need to be addressing #mentalhealth,” she said.
Lum suggests doing #mentalhealthscreenings regularly — the way taking temperatures and monitoring physical symptoms have become common.
“We need to normalize. If you were dealing with #anxiety, #depression, that that needs to be treated. Our #mentalhealth and our physical health are not separate. They are really one. And so there needs to be more conversations in the schools, especially with kids returning,” she said.
She says discussions also need to be in multiple languages and formats that reach at-risk groups.
“#Men are more likely to complete #suicide than #women,” she noted. “And so we need to have this level of disseminating information from our state, but also having people go and check on your neighbor, how are you doing? Where you genuinely want to know.”
Lum says the Lalea tragedy shows #mentalillness should not be criminalized and crisis counseling is not the police’s job. It takes compassion from the community.
For help during a crisis:
- #NationalSuicidePreventionLifeline external icon: 1-800-273-TALK (8255) for English, 1-888-628-9454 for Spanish, or Lifeline Crisis Chatexternal icon.
- Disaster Distress Helplineexternal icon: 1-800-985-5990 (press 2 for Spanish), or text TalkWithUs for English or Hablanos for Spanish to 66746. Spanish speakers from Puerto Rico can text Hablanos to 1-787-339-2663
- National #DomesticViolence Hotlineexternal icon: 1-800-799-7233 or text LOVEIS to 22522
- National #ChildAbuse Hotlineexternal icon: 1-800-4AChild (1-800-422-4453) or text 1-800-422-4453
- National #SexualAssault Hotlineexternal icon: 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) or Online Chat external icon
- The Eldercare Locatorexternal icon: 1-800-677-1116 external icon
- #Veteran’s Crisis Lineexternal icon: 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or Crisis Chatexternal icon or text: 8388255
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
