By: Dan Cohen
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The events of the last few months in Kansas City and across the country are straining the public’s #mentalhealth, with professionals seeing a rise in call activity requesting resources.
“In the last month, month-and-a-half, we’ve seen our phone calls increase,” said Julie Pratt, president and CEO of Comprehensive #MentalHealth Services in Independence. “Between May and June, we saw a 45 percent increase in our calls, we’re starting to see an uptick in our calls and request for services. We’re seeing things increase. We know historically, with pandemics, there is a sudden surge for requests for services for #mentalhealth, behavioral health services following that, we’re expecting that to happen and seeing that already.”
CMHS is a member of the Metro Council, an organization that encompasses behavioral #mentalhealth providers in the Kansas City metro area.
#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
One area of concern for Pratt is disparities in #mentalhealthcrises and #suicide in the #AfricanAmerican community, which are coming to light as the country reckons with race relations following protests after George Floyd died in police custody in Minneapolis.
“In the last 20 years, #suicide attempts by #black adolescents have increased 73 percent in the last 20 years. The injuries from #suicide attempts for #black boys alone has increased 122 percent. Another one that’s just staggering for #black youth under the age of 13, twice as likely to die by #suicide than their #white counterparts. Those are staggering numbers. It’s something we need to pay attention to and it’s something that has to be addressed,” Pratt said, citing a December 2019 report to the Congressional Black Caucus.
That task force included Rep. Emanuel Cleaver II (D-Mo.) of Kansas City.
Pratt is hopeful that a renewed awareness and need for #mentalhealth resources provides a positive path forward.
“People are resilient. This has been a time where everyone is open to the need for #mentalhealthservices. A lot of cuts in budgets and we’ve seen minimal of that. We have had some, but I do believe everyone realizes that #mentalhealthservices are needed,” she said.
Below is a list of local and national crisis lines for those experiencing a #mentalhealthcrisis or suicidal thoughts:
#SuicidePreventionHotline
1-800-273-TALK (8255) or
1-800 –#SUICIDE (784-2433)
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
