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
Thank you to the Post-Gazette for running Greg Victor’s thoughtful and well-informed article last Sunday about #mentalhealthissues and #mentalillness (July 7, “It’s Stonewall Time for the Mentally Ill”).
According to the #CentersforDiseaseControlandPrevention, in 2015 an estimated 43.4 million adults — about one in five Americans age 18 or older — had a #mentalillness sometime during the previous year. An estimated 9.8 million adults — about one in 25 Americans age 18 or older — had a serious #mentalillness.
#Suicide rates continue to climb. In 2016, there were 44,965 recorded #suicides. The rates are the highest recorded in 28 years. #Suicide is the second-leading cause of death among young people.
The number of people with #mentalhealthissues continues to grow, yet many of them are hidden among us — our friends, neighbors, colleagues and family members.
#MentalHealth America of Southwestern PA (MHA-SWPA) advocates, educates and provides supportive services for the #mentallyill. We are the local affiliate of #MentalHealthAmerica (formerly the #NationalMentalHealthAssociation), now in our 55th year of service.
Yet our society is only beginning to understand that a #mentalillness is not a weakness or a character flaw but an illness. And it is past time that everyone who understands this speaks out against the #stigma attached to #mental illness and helps us reform the #mentalhealth system in America.
MHA-SWPA is grateful to individuals such as Mr. Victor who speak with such powerful voices about the importance of addressing #mentalhealth.
Laurie Barnett Levine
Executive Director
#MentalHealth America of Southwestern PA
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
