Dr. Ubaid Kohkhar
ORANGE PARK – Orange Park Medical Center is looking to reach out to the community on #WorldMentalHealthDay on Saturday, to help those affected by the #COVID-19 #pandemic find ways to cope and heal.
The very strategies set in place to help keep us physically healthy during the #COVID-19 #pandemic have had an adverse impact on national #mentalhealth and #suicide risk. According to the #CentersforDiseaseControlandPrevention (#CDC), during late June 40% of #adults in the #UnitedStates reported struggling with #mentalhealth or substance abuse.
And it’s not just #adults affected. “We’re seeing more and more #children and #adolescents bearing the burden of increased #stress and the continued impact of this #virus,” said Dr. Ubaid Khokhar, a Psychiatrist and the Associate Program Director of the Psychiatry Residency Program at Orange Park Medical Center. “It’s clear there is a high #mentalhealth price we’re all paying due to the #virus but for those who suffer from #depression, substance abuse, or #mental and neurological conditions the cost is even higher.”
#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
Orange Park Medical Center’s parent company HCA Healthcare has a deep-rooted history of providing #mentalhealth education to our communities, partnering with The Jason Foundation, Inc. in the vital effort to end youth #suicide. A national affiliate for JFI, HCA Healthcare supports training in hospitals, off-campus provider-based emergency departments, facilities, #physician practices and urgent care locations across the U.S.
Locally, Orange Park Medical Center’s inpatient and outpatient #behavioralhealth care teams, as well as their Psychiatry Residents, work hard year-round to promote awareness of #mentalhealthissues and #suicide to decrease the #stigma and provide guidance for those in need right here in our community. This year, the team is supporting a virtual walk organized by #NationalAllianceonMentalHealthIllness to bring awareness to the signs and symptoms of various #mentalhealthissues.
For assistance, the Orange Park Medical Center #behavioralhealth team can be reached at (904) 390-6800.
“We’re urgently working on ways to lessen the impact of the #pandemic on #mentalhealth and strengthening our commitment to developing and implementing programs for our colleagues, our #patients and our communities,” added Dr. Khokhar. Or you can find help at the resources listed below.
People considering #suicide can reach out to the Crisis Text Line by texting ‘HELLO’ to 741741. They will be connected with a person who will listen to their concerns without judgment. They can also call the #NationalSuicidePreventionLifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255) for English, 1-888-628-9454 for Spanish.
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
