MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla. – Miami-Dade County #policeofficer Adly Joseph died as a result of #suicide, #police sources confirmed to Local 10 News. Department director Freddy Ramirez said in a tweet Monday that the four year #veteran of the force had died.
This comes about a month after the Hollywood #Police department mourned the loss of Lieutenant John Graham, who also died of apparent #suicide.
The director of CopLine, a 24-hour hotline that helps officers in need, said #suicide is too prevalent in the law enforcement community.
“I think almost every #officer has been touched by #suicide,” said director Stephanie Samuels.
#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
Some studies show that in a given year, more #officers die of #suicide than in the line of duty.
A new law, called the Law Enforcement #Suicide Data Collection Act, has directed the FBI to create a database to better understand and prevent suicides.
There are also grassroots organizations in South Florida that focus on the #mentalhealth of #firstresponders. Never Walk Alone, founded by Miami Beach and City of Miami Firefighters, works to help #police and #firefighters who suffer from #posttraumaticstressdisorder.
Samuels said the CopLine is staffed 24-7 by highly trained retired #officers and can also direct people to more than 700 therapists nationwide.
The hotline number is 1-800-COPLINE, or 1-800-267-5463. You can visit CopLine’s website by clicking here.
“It is there to make sure we deal with #officers and their loved ones – from a bad day to a full-blown #mentalhealthcrisis,” Samuels said.
For more information on Never Walk Alone, click here: https://www.neverwalkalonemiami.com/our-mission
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Janine Stanwood
Janine Stanwood joined Local 10 News in February 2004 as an assignment editor. She is now a general assignment reporter. Before moving to South Florida from her Washington home, Janine was the senior legislative correspondent for a #UnitedStates senator on Capitol Hill.
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
[email protected]
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 [email protected] 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
