Call to connect to peer specialists to talk, work through #anxiety, #stress, #loneliness
Author: Alana Holland
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Monday, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced a new #mentalhealth warmline across the state. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) launched the line to help Michiganders struggling with #anxiety, loss, #loneliness and more during the #COVID-19 pandemic .
#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
A warmline is similar to a hotline but is used for non-crisis and non-emergency calls.
The number is 888-PEER-753 (888-733-7753).
On the other end of the call, is a certified peer support specialists. These are a trained workforce, made up of people who have been through similar #mentalhealth challenges, and are now trained to help others cope and find help.
“People are really struggling with many things associated with the stay at home, stay safe order,” said Pam Werner, the manager for peer services, “And they’re not able to connect with their social support systems.”
The warmline is not a #suicide hotline, nor a crisis line, but rather it’s staffed from 10 a.m. to 2 a.m. seven days a week.
Additional goals of the warmline include reaching under-served, rural areas, and preventing struggling individuals from putting additional pressure on first responders.
“They have direct experience to what other callers are talking about,” said Werner, “they also have wellness plans and wellness tools and with their lived experience, they’re able to connect with callers on the phone, share they are a peer and have gone through many of the things the caller has gone though.”
Werner said the first evening the warmline launched, they received 250 calls.
If you are struggling with #suicide, call the #NationalSuicidePreventionLifeline at 800-273-8255.
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
