#Police and #firefighters are more likely to die by #suicide than in the line of duty, according to a 2018 report from the Ruderman Family Foundation.
On Tuesday, a high-ranking chief in the Chicago Police Department is believed to have committed #suicide — and research shows the #suicide rate for Chicago officers is higher than the national average.
Commander Dion Boyd was a 29-year veteran of the Chicago Police Department.
He got a promotion just two weeks ago.
The father of two was found Tuesday at his office at CPD’s Homan Square facility, reportedly after shooting himself in the chest.
According to a 2017 Department of Justice report on the CPD, the rate of suicides among Chicago police officers is more than 60% the national average, though statistics are difficult given the question of whether retirees and recruits are included in those figures.
“It always hurts when you know the person,” said former Chicago police Superintendent Philip Cline, now the executive director of the Chicago Police Memorial Foundation. “I knew Dion Boyd and I’d just seen him about a week and a half ago. He seemed up. Laughing, talking.”
Cline says that sort of seemingly upbeat-on-the-outside attitude makes it difficult to know, and to realize, that an officer needs help and intervention.
And there are places for that.
#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
The CPD says — in according with the consent decree that followed that Department of Justice report — the department has a dozen counselors available through its Employee Assistance Program.
There are also chaplains. And 24-hour peer support is available.
Cline says attitudes about #mentalhealth have changed since his time on the force.
“If you went for help back in 1970 you were perceived as weak. That’s no longer the case. If you go for help today, it’s seen as a smart move,” Cline said.
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
