By Reuters
#BaltimoreRavens tight end #HaydenHurst established himself as an #NFL player in 2019 when he made 30 receptions for a 14-2 team.
But the 26-year-old is sharing details about a less-successful time in his life when his battles with #anxiety and #depression led to a #suicide attempt.
“I’m not this superhero that’s portrayed on TV. I’m a regular person,” Hurst told Jacksonville station WTLV. “I struggle with #depression, #anxiety and things like that.”
The Jacksonville native’s long-term struggles included a scary incident in January 2016 after he quit pursuit of a professional baseball career and was a walk-on with South Carolina’s football program.
A night of drinking while depressed led to him slashing his wrist and waking up in a hospital. He was handcuffed to the bed.
“I woke up in the hospital,” Hurst told WTLV. “I didn’t know what happened. I had to have a friend fill me in. Apparently, I had been drinking and went into my apartment and cut my wrist. My friend found me in a puddle of blood. He called 911.”
That episode led Hurst to seek help for his #mentalhealthchallenges. Now, he is intent on raising the awareness.
“I don’t have the answers to fix all of this,” Hurst told the station. “It’s still a trial and error to this day, but I will say I have much more good days than I do bad days.”
Hurst also detailed times when he would withdraw from family and friends and heavily drink in an attempt to cure his problems.
“There were weeks at a time I would sit in a dark room and not want to be around people,” Hurst said. “Just that fear of embarrassment. I had never experienced anything like that.”
After one of those experiences, he learned his father also struggled with #mentalhealthissues.
“He told me the family history with his (obsessive-compulsive disorder),” Hurst said. “His #anxiety and things as well. The #depression he went through and it was easier than understanding, ‘Hey he’s been through this and he understands what’s going on.’ Then I laid out ‘Here’s what’s going on in my life.'”
#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
Hurst is one of approximately 40 million adults dealing with an #anxiety disorder, according to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America. The group said it is common for people with #anxiety to also suffer from #depression.
Hurst is doing his part to lessen the #stigma involved with #mentalhealthissues.
“For some reason, people equate #mentalillness with having to be ashamed. It’s something you shouldn’t talk about,” Hurst said. “I don’t think it’s anything to be ashamed of. Everybody goes through something … If my story is going to change the narrative on this and people are going to talk about it more, then so be it.”
–Field Level Media
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
