Brayden Stephenson, Editor
This year brought many unforeseen challenges to the world, and for many people battling a global #pandemic didn’t just mean contracting a #virus: The fear of losing loved ones, being forced to self-isolate and #socialdistance, and losing the opportunity to experience things like high school graduations, were all secondary side effects of #Covid-19. Managing all of this along with the pressure of #mentalhealthissues like #depression, #anxiety, addiction and suicidal thoughts, underscores related potential negative #mentalhealth effects.
According to the Journal of the American Medicine, #suicide rates have been rising in the #UnitedStates over the last two decades. This has many people wondering how the #Covid-19 #virus is affecting #mentalhealth. The #CDC reported that 40.9% of adults had at least one #mentalhealth effect as a secondary effect of the #virus. While the #CDC is working to implement safety measures around living with a #pandemic, it has also made it clear that #mentalhealth precautions are just as important, stating “the potential for adverse outcomes on #suicide risk is high.”
Plenty of college #students were hit hard by the #mentalhealth effects of the quarantine. Forced to move home after they’d just made friends and built a community at their school made many feel alone and scared.
“As someone who struggles with things like #anxiety and #depression, I’m really sensitive to the things going on around me. This made the quarantine feel really hard and scary,” a Sierra Nevada University student who chose to remain anonymous said. “I’ve faced suicidal thoughts in the past and it really didn’t feel okay or normal to openly talk about it, but I’m thankful to see more people working to break the #stigma surrounding #mentalhealth and #suicide.”
#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
With the end of September also comes the end of #SuicidePreventionMonth, dedicated to raising awareness around Esuicideprevention, Ementalhealthissues, and seeking help when it’s needed. Like most other events in 2020, plans for #SuicidePreventionMonth looked a little different, but that didn’t stop Florida based non-profit, To Write Love on Her Arms.
To Write Love on Her Arms (TWLOHA), is a non-profit movement whose mission is to bring hope to those struggling with #depression, addiction, self-injury, and #suicide. TWLOHA, is also known for their efforts to help others find a way to treatment and therapy. For obvious reasons, #SuicidePreventionMonth is one of TWLOHA’s most important projects of the year.
“Every year, in the weeks leading up to #WorldSuicidePreventionDay on Sept. 10, we build a campaign around a statement or phrase that we believe in. The words we choose guide our hopes and dreams for a future where you and anyone struggling choose to stay alive,” said Jaime Tworkowski, TWLOHA founder.
This year’s campaign is “Worth Living For.” For much of the world, 2020 felt like too much. Navigating a global #pandemic and an increasingly divisive election made this year the perfect storm for anyone battling #mentalhealthissues. TWLOHA challenged its following to look for the things that make all the bad worth it.
“Eight-hundred thousand people die by #suicide globally each year,” Tworkowski said. “With this new #WorldSuicidePreventionDay campaign, we want to see those numbers change. We believe it’s possible. We believe it starts with inviting you to consider the things worth living for.”
This year TWLOHA helped raise $265,000, which enabled it to fund 3,750 counseling sessions for those in need. The “Worth Living For” campaign reached more than 114 million people.
#Mentalhealthresources are made available for SNU students, including counseling. Visit. https://www.sierranevada.edu/campus_life/on-campus-2/counseling-services/.
TWLOHA want’s the readers to know that hope is real, help is real and your story is important. If you or someone you know is struggling, help can be found. Text TWLOHA to 741741 or check out the resources below.
If you need immediate help 24 hours a day:
- #NationalSuicidePreventionLifeline: 800-273-8255
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
