#JamesDonaldson, a name that resonates with #basketball fanatics, spoke to #CascadeSchoolDistrict #students Tuesday, March 25. Donaldson played 14 seasons in the #NBA along with playing for #WashingtonStateUniversity.
He didn’t come to give tips on how to master lay-ups or discuss the adrenaline rush from dunking – he came armed with advice and tips on a darker topic, that is as deeply ingrained in his personal life as basketball in his professional life. Donaldson spent an hour and some minutes talking to students about #mentalhealthawarenessandsuicideprevention.
Click Here to Read Article About James Donaldson Battling Mental Health Issues
“Life is a journey, it’s filled with ups and downs and twists and turns. And you really never know how it’s going to turn out,” said Donaldson. “The reason I’m here today is to talk about some of the tough, challenging times in life that all of us are going to go through at some point in life.”
Donaldson opened the presentation personably as if he was chatting with friends over coffee. Despite recalling the saddening elements that led up to his grapple with #suicidalthoughts, he managed to keep the conversation moving fluidly and didn’t hesitate to share.
“Last year, 2018, I went through a very difficult point in my life, where everything that could go wrong, went wrong,” said Donaldson. “(Eventually he said to himself) James, you’ve got to get out of this. I don’t want people running around telling my story, I want to stick around and tell my story. And that was the beginning of me trying to work my way out of that darkness.”
The tall man that was well known for executing basketball plays on the court was vulnerable as he branched into the parts of his life that led to the collapse of his #mentalhealth. He touched on his #physicaltherapy business failing, his #marriage failing and dealing with the loss of his #mother.
“I could just feel the walls of the house closing in on me, I could feel this darkness coming over me, this loneliness, this pain,” said Donaldson. “I started having these #mentalissues, where I asked myself ‘is it even worth continuing to live?’ I wanted to take my life. I didn’t think my life was worth living.”
He openly translated the harsh reality of contemplating #suicide and the ways he had mapped out he could commit #suicide – the rawness of a man that doubled as many people’s basketball idol in his former years seemed to keep the students engrossed.
“And this is why I’m here today, to talk to you all about your lives. You’re all going to go through tough times from time to time. Some of you may be going through tough times right now,” said Donaldson.
Donaldson also shared a video of a girl in her junior year of high school that committed #suicide. Since Donaldson isn’t in the same age demographic with the same problems, this served as a link for the high schoolers to someone in more similar shoes. The video also illustrated the aftermath of taking one’s life and the ripple effect it has on those intertwined in that person’s life.
“She looked perfectly fine on the inside, but her diary entries showed she was struggling with a lot of things,” said Donaldson. “This young girl when she took her life, you see her parents, how hurt they are. How much they’re grasping for answers that she’s not here to explain. So I want you all to think before you get in a deep, dark, depressing place what it’s going to do to your family and friends. The people who are left behind are the ones who are really traumatized.”
Since his own struggle with #suicidalthoughts, Donaldson has found that in order to cope and combat the problem, he needed to find a purpose in life. He revealed that his purpose in life is his foundation, #YourGiftofLife – a program focused on #suicidepreventionandmentalhealthawareness.
“What helped me more than anything, more my doctor or my friends, was to go out and find a purpose for me to keep on staying here. That purpose turned out to be a #nonprofitfoundation called #YourGiftofLife,” said Donaldson. “I want people to realize truly how much of a gift your life is. Don’t throw it away, don’t abuse it, don’t take it for granted.”
After the assembly, his presence at the high school wasn’t over. Donaldson passed out his business cards with a reminder he is always willing to be a listening ear if needed. He stayed in Cascade High School throughout the day to visit classrooms and have lunch.
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
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
As always James keep up the information flow and excellent work-Chuck
On Fri, Apr 12, 2019, 12:10 PM Standing Above The Crowd’s Blog wrote:
> standingabovethecrowd posted: ” (Photo by Kalie Drago) James Donaldson, > former NBA player, faced the eager crowd of students to address a somber > topic. By: Kalie Drago #JamesDonaldson, a name that resonates with > #basketball fanatics, spoke to #CascadeSchoolDistrict ” >