BY LILIA LUCIANO
Nick Orr is teaching more than science in his Las Vegas #HighSchool classroom. Orr says his #students were different when they returned from remote learning.
“I’ve had to work with our #socialworkers more times than I can even count just because so many #kids are hurting,” Orr told CBS News.
At least 30 #students have died by #suicide in the Clark County #SchoolDistrict since the #pandemic began.
Nationwide, about one in five #teens considered #suicide during the #pandemic, according to the #CentersforDiseaseControlandPrevention. The #CDC also found 44% of #highschoolstudents in the U.S. reported they persistently felt sad or hopeless in the past year.
To confront the challenge, the #school district launched a weekly social and emotional learning lesson.
“Honestly, it does help — that moment of five minutes of talking about, ‘Oh today was not the best day,'” Maurice, a Sierra Vista #HighSchool #student, told CBS News.
CBS News joined Maurice and his classmates as they discussed the topic of “belonging” in class.
“Now that we’re all back, I feel like a lot of people are more, like, they’re not as willing to … talk to someone new,” Alex said.
“I would say the impact is, like, people feeling alone,” Giovanna added.
#James Donaldson 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
Order your copy of James Donaldson’s latest book,
#CelebratingYourGiftofLife:
From The Verge of Suicide to a Life of Purpose and Joy
Principal Jessica Lovell brings a therapy dog to #school every day and says her #teachers know the job takes more than the description requires.
“I think it goes back to that #teacher as a, a kind have to wear different hats. So, am I teaching right now, am I a #therapist right now, am I talking #kids down right now, am I talking about what’s happening in the world,” Lovell told CBS News.
Orr knows the consequences of missing the signs of distress. In August 2020, his 18-year-old brother, Anthony, was among those 30 #students the district lost to #suicide. Anthony had just graduated.
“If I didn’t see this in my own brother, someone with whom I was living, how am I gonna see it in someone that I see for 84 minutes every other day?” Orr said. “He kept everything hidden and on his phone and, well, he didn’t vocalize when he needed help.”
Preventing that from happening again is now his mission.
“I think we need to take a lot of pressure off #kids as far as grades and academics, and put more pressure on happiness and well-being,” he said. “It’s OK to not be OK, as long as you have a plan to get back to OK.”
If you or someone you know is in emotional distress or suicidal crisis, call the #NationalSuicidePreventionHotline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).
For more information about mental health care resources and support, The #NationalAllianceonMentalIllness (#NAMI) HelpLine can be reached Monday through Friday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. ET, at 1-800-950-NAMI (6264) or email info@nami.org.
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
