#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
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WICS/WRSP) — Many #children already get anxious near the start of a new school year but now with so many different changes to the school setting, this year maybe even harder for students to adjust.
Pediatrician and Director of Weight loss and Wellness at Memorial Health Dr.Nicole Florence says this school year will come with a wide range of health challenges for parents and #children to tackle.
“We have to consider the impact of being more sedentary, not necessarily having structure and routine which can affect a child’s health in many of the ways we worry about mood disorder, #anxiety, #depression,” said Dr.Florence.
Sarah Rogers is a District 186 parent who said it might be time for #schools to flesh out plans for how the new isolated learning style will impact children’s #mentalhealth.
“I think the #suicide rate I think the #depression rate I think I mean I’ve read many articles those are skyrocketing right now so I think the #mentalhealth of #children is what we really need to be focused on,” said Rogers.
Another Springfield mom Kari Zeedyk said her main concern is #children not being able to focus on school work with all this new alone time.
” The #isolation of being at home I’m sure will definitely impact their level of happiness throughout the day without having other #kids to interact with and to expand socially which is so much of early education,” said Zeedyk.
Parents I spoke with say they are utilizing #socialmedia to scout out new ways to keep children active, happy, and health under the soon to come new hybrid learning style.
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
