By: Noelle Friel
DE PERE (NBC 26) — It’s an issue that’s often invisible, but all too common. #Suicide is the second most common cause of death among #collegestudents according to the #AmericanFoundationforSuicidePrevention.
Earlier this month, UW-Madison track star #SarahShulze tragically passed away at just 21-years-old. The #athlete took her own life, her family said in a statement, writing “balancing athletics, academics and the demands of every day life overwhelmed her in a single, desperate moment.”
Her family has since established the #SarahShulze Foundation to continue to support the causes most important to her, such as advancing and supporting women’s rights, #studentathletes and #mentalhealth.
#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
Tom Doughman, the assistant director of #counseling and #psychological services at St. Norbert College, says that #depression and #anxiety are among the most common #mentalhealthissues that #students face.
“One of the biggest challenges today is that #students are feeling so much pressure to be successful,” Doughman said.
That pressure to succeed combined with multiple responsibilities between #school, jobs, and extracurriculars can become overwhelming for #students.
“They’re expecting to do well, socially, academically and financially,” Doughman said. “If you’re a full-time #student, and a #studentathlete as well, having time to do everything is really difficult.”
“Even college age #students, their capacity to take in all that information, that competitiveness between people, it’s not as well developed as it could be,” said Tally Moses, an associate professor at the UW-Madison School of Social Work. “Especially among #girls and #women, there’s a sense of perfectionism.”
In addition to students’ many responsibilities, Moses says adding problems in their personal lives on top of that #stress can create a #mentalhealthcrisis.
“Maybe a romantic situation gone awry or some problems with the family or roommate issues, it doesn’t take much to create a crisis,” Moses said.
That’s why many colleges aim to be proactive when it comes to #mentalhealthtreatment. At St. Norbert College, #counseling and #psychological services are on call 24 hours a day.
“If somebody else has said my friend, my colleague, has an issue they’ll reach out to us and we can talk to them and come right to campus at that time,” Doughman said.
#Students are often referred to #counseling and #psychological services by their peers or instructors. It’s part of what the college calls its community of care – and Doughman says that proactive action just might save a life.
“We might hear from three or four different people on campus ‘hey I’m not sure what’s going on with this person but you may want to talk to them.’ Anywhere from a facilities or housekeeping person to a professor or one of the administrators on campus,” Doughman 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
