The International Association of Chiefs of Police is fighting a #mentalhealth crisis, with an increasing number of suicides by officers. Nationwide, 188 officers have died by #suicide so far this year, twice the number who have died in the line of duty.
#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
#Police commissioners from around the country met in Chicago Tuesday to address the crisis in a special forum for the first time. Those affected by the suicides say removing the #stigma of seeking help is the first step in combating this epidemic.
“The culture needs to change,” said Janice McCarthy, whose husband Paul, a 21-year veteran of the Massachusetts State Police, took his own life in 2006. He had been struggling with post-traumatic stress disorder for 13 years, she told CBS correspondent Jeff Pegues at the forum.
It’s that culture — what McCarthy calls a fear by officers against expressing their emotional and #mentalhealth — that may be contributing to the increased police #suicide rate. She believes her husband’s #suicide was brought on by his #mental and physical struggles after he was run over by a bus while on the job.
“You’ll be fine, suck it up, it’ll go away. But it didn’t go away and the department didn’t know what to do with that,” she said.
Earlier this year, President Donald Trump authorized $7.5 million annually for the next five years for national #police #suicideprevention efforts – including #mentalhealth screening and more training.
“Let’s just all admit we’re broken and join arms and let’s talk about this stuff,” said Matt Thornton, a detective in Illinois. “Because we’re not meant to do this by ourselves, we’re not meant to suppress all this.”
Thornton has been with the Zion Police Department for 16 years. He admitted to bottoming out from the demands of the job and was planning to take his own life.
“Crying and going over this plan, and I see a lady walking in the parking lot and she’s coming straight to my squad car,” he said. “And she knocks on my window … and she hands me this red cross. And she said, ‘You need this.’ And it was the most surreal moment of my life.”
That moment, he said, changed his life and made him realize that he needed to reach out for help. Something cops don’t often do.
“It needs to come to the forefront. Because I’m sick of it. I’m sick of crying,” Thornton said. “Because I can see the signs. Because I lived them.”
Thornton said he’s made it a point in his life to help fellow #officers in need. Some departments have trained #mentalhealthprofessionals on staff for support, but there doesn’t appear to be a national standard for treatment.© 2019 CBS Interactive Inc.
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
