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#JamesDonaldson On #MentalHealth – What a Psychiatrist Says Naomi Judd’s Death Can Teach Us About Depression and Suicide Risk
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The country music star had previously talked about her battle with depression — a condition affecting nearly 15 percent of U.S. adults ages 65 or older.
Singer-songwriter and actress Naomi Judd died by suicide on April 30, 2022
The Grammy-winning country music star Naomi Judd, who was part of the mother-daughter duo The Judds, died by suicide at age 76, according to reports.
Her daughters, Ashley and Wynonna, released a statement to the Associated Press on Saturday, April 30. “Today we sisters experienced a tragedy,” the statement read. “We lost our beautiful mother to the disease of mental illness. We are shattered. We are navigating profound grief and know that as we loved her, she was loved by her public. We are in unknown territory.”
Naomi’s representative, Adkins Publicity, also issued a statement on behalf of Naomi’s family to Today. “Her husband, Larry Strickland, of 32 years will not be making any further statements,” the statement read. “Naomi Judd’s family request privacy during this heartbreaking time. No additional information will be released at this time.”
Depression and other mental illnesses are known risk factors for suicide, which is why it’s important to know the signs of each, says Allison Young, MD, an adjunct professor of psychiatry at the New York University Grossman School of Medicine in New York City and a psychiatry medical reviewer for Everyday Health.
#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 Find out more about the work I do on my 501c3 non-profit foundation website www.yourgiftoflife.org Order your copy of James Donaldson’s latest book, #CelebratingYourGiftofLife: From The Verge of Suicide to a Life of Purpose and Joy
Here’s what Dr. Young wants you to know about depression, trauma, suicide, and more:
Everyday Health: Can you talk about the link between depression and suicide, especially among older adults?
Allison Young: Many people develop depression at an older age, and there are different theories for why. Potential risk factors include loneliness, losing people they love at a higher rate as they grow older, and changes in one’s financial situation.
Regardless of the cause, depression — and certain symptoms of depression, such as feeling hopeless — is a risk factor for suicide.
Many people, especially older adults who either attempt suicide or die by suicide, do suffer from depression, but it’s important to know that suicide is not end-stage depression. In other words, depression does not always lead to suicide, and not all people who die by suicide are depressed.
Although depression is an important risk factor for suicide attempts and suicide completion, there are a lot of other risk factors for suicide, including:
Other forms of mental illness, such as alcohol use disorder or other substance use disorders, anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia
Family history of suicide
Issues accessing healthcare
Job or financial issues
Legal problems
Physical health problems
Relationship issues
Traumatic events, such as sexual abuse
Unsafe depictions of suicide in media
EH: Naomi Judd discussed her struggles with depression and suicidal ideation. What is suicidal ideation, and when should someone seek help for it?
AY: Suicidal ideation means having thoughts or behaviors related to ending one’s own life. It sounds scary and it’s very stigmatized, but in reality, it’s not uncommon for a person to have suicidal thoughts. Suicidal ideation falls on a spectrum, and it’s important to figure out where somebody is on that spectrum to know how serious their situation is.
For example, say you’re struggling to get out of bed after a few difficult days with another tough day ahead of you, and you think, “I wish I could just hit snooze and sleep forever.” That’s on the milder side of what we’re talking about here, but it reflects that feeling of not being able to deal with the stresses of life anymore. That person may need help figuring out how they can take a break and restore themselves. If you’re having suicidal thoughts that are on the milder side, but you have no desire or plan to actually hurt yourself, that is something you could — and should — discuss with a mental health professional.
Suicidal ideation in someone who is already at a breaking point looks very different. They are thinking about death, and they are thinking they’d be better off dead or that their loved ones would be better off if they weren’t around. It’s even more serious in cases where the person is thinking about ways to attempt suicide. Those people are in imminent danger of harming themselves, and they need to be hospitalized.
I think it’s important to normalize these experiences — if you are having any thoughts of suicide, don’t think you’re not normal or that someone will think you’re crazy if you talk about it. Now is a really good time to start getting the help you need and find out what you can do to restore yourself so that the suicidal thoughts don’t progress any further.
EH: According to reports, Naomi Judd wrote in her memoir that her depression worsened when suppressed memories of a childhood molestation reemerged. How does trauma impact the risk for mental illness, and how should a person go about getting the help and support they need?
AY: A history of trauma is a risk factor for a wide range of mental illnesses and distress, including depression, as well as anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and other mental illnesses.
For anyone who has experienced this type of abuse and currently in need of help and support, I recommend reaching out to your easiest point of contact. For example, if memories of a traumatic event you experienced resurface in a way that is making you reexperience some of the distress it caused, I recommend seeking a therapist or counselor if possible. For people who don’t have any experience seeking mental health help or don’t feel comfortable doing so, reaching out to your primary care provider for help navigating the process is a good first step.
EH: What advice would you give to people who have had a loved one attempt or complete suicide?
AY: Suicide is a very complex issue. Although having depression and other mental illnesses can contribute, it’s really hard even for mental health professionals to predict who is going to attempt or complete suicide and who won’t.
If you’re a loved one of someone who has attempted or completed suicide, it’s important to give yourself grace. I think many people tend to feel guilty and wonder why they didn’t see it coming. But the truth is, it’s very complicated. Experts are just beginning to understand why some people do or don’t attempt suicide. Try to have compassion for yourself in this very difficult situation.
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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:
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
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