Every 28 seconds someone attempts suicide
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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
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I have had personal experiences with suicide loss. While in my 20s in the early 1980s, I lost a cousin and three of my childhood friends to suicide. Then, in 2014, my daughter lost a dear friend to suicide. In addition to my experiences with suicide loss, I have worked in and volunteered in the addiction and recovery and mental health fields for over 20 years, working with individuals and families struggling with addiction and mental health concerns.
That is why I and many others will travel to Washington, D.C., to meet members of Congress for the third year in a row and demand they make #mentalhealthandsuicideprevention a top legislative priority.
I will ask Texas Senators and Representatives to 1) increase funding for #suicideprevention research within The #NationalInstitutionofMentalHealth to a level commensurate with the suicide crisis in our country 2) strengthen reporting requirements for #mentalhealth parity, ensuring that #mentalhealth is considered equal to physical health 3) fully fund the #NationalSuicidePreventionLifeline and 4) maintain active military Service Member & Veteran #suicideprevention as a national priority.
One thing is certain. At some point in life, each of us will realize that no one is immune to #mentalillness, addiction, #suicide or #suicide loss. Everyone agrees that more can be done. And that is so encouraging to me because this topic to too important to go unaddressed.
Ann Marie Casiraghi
Center for Collegiate Recovery Communities
Texas Tech University
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
