By Amy Lange
FOX 2 – “I’m currently 900 days clean from self-harm,” said Jenna Friedman, a U Matter teen board member.
And now Friedman, 18, is helping others stay safe, stay healthy, and stay alive. All are well-aware that #suicide is the second leading cause of death for #teens – so many of whom are also struggling with #mentalhealthissues.
#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
U Matter helps teens with prevention training
The U Matter program has been in schools and working with youth groups and companies for the last few years
“Knowing that I’m not alone and other people are fighting for what I’m fighting for, is so important,” said Friedman.
Jenna had dealt with #anxiety and #depression and engaging in unhealthy behaviors. But when she found the U Matter #suicideprevention program through The Friendship Circle in West Bloomfield – she found help for herself and a way to help others.
“We need more people doing that – letting people know that struggle is real, but solution is real, and there are keys to solution,” said Rabbi Yarden Blumstein.
The U Matter program has been in schools and working with youth groups and companies for the last few years. The training lasts just three hours – the lessons learned not only last a lifetime – but can save a life.
“They have a fascinating statistic that every five people trained, is two successful interventions in the first 90 days,” said Blumstein.
Blumstein does the training for Safe Talk which he calls the CPR of #mentalhealth, helping people recognize signs someone might be suicidal and how to intervene.
“You have to ask someone, ‘Are you suicidal, are you thinking about hurting yourself, can you be safe right now?'” said Friedman. “Because without asking that, they beat around the bush a lot. It happens more than people think.”
Jenna is on the teen board for the U Matter program which is now going to be available to even more people for free, thanks to a $750,000 grant from the Andrew Kukes Foundation for Social Anxiety.
Kukes took his own life in 2009 after struggling with social #anxiety for years. At U Matter they don’t want to see that happen to anyone else.
U Matter has very cool activities coming up in March – but you don’t have to wait that long, to learn more about this valuable program. U Matter is urging anyone wanting more information – to contact the friendship circle…
“We know we’ve saved many lives,” said Rabbi Levi Shemtov. “The more people we train – the more lives we can save.”
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
