MANILA – #Love problems are the leading cause of #mentalhealth problems and #suicide, a #mentalhealth expert said on Saturday.
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
In an interview at the Philippine News Agency’s “Pros and Cons” forum, Dr. Bernard Argamosa, a psychiatrist at the Department of Health-National Center for Mental Health (DOH-NCMH), said many of their patients have psychotic breakdowns due to breakups.
“We may not have the stats but based on our experience, it leads to #depression. Breakups have psychological meanings, and, it could trigger your past experiences when you were a child and you were left behind by someone close to you,” Argamosa said.
Meanwhile, Cel Gonzales, quality control director of One Algon Place, a rehabilitation center for those with drug and alcohol addiction, stressed love is a universal emotion that is important to everyone, hence, lack of it could also lead to behavioral and #mentalhealthissues.
“#Love is important to a couple, and even to a child who loves his parents and needs #love from them,” Gonzales said.
Argamosa explained broken-hearted people usually “exhaust all their coping mechanisms when exposed to a stressful situation like breakups”.
“The one you love left you, your mind will use its coping mechanisms first like your family friends, hobbies and work. Sometimes, being alone works for other heartbroken people, different strokes for different people,” he said.
Citing that some people are unable to cope with breakups, Gonzales said their relatives need to check on them as they may end up committing #suicide.
“In our facility, we assist those who are broken, so they can stand again, and survive their love problems and function normally again,” she added.
Gerardo Rudin Gonzales III, executive director of One Algon Place, advised parents of broken-hearted teenagers to monitor their children’s social media use as different #socialmedia platforms carry content which encourage the youth to commit #suicide.
“Also, iyong palabas sa (the program in) Netflix, 13 Reasons Why, psychiatrists say, please don’t let your children watch that show because it teaches them the step-by-step process on how to commit #suicide,” he said.
Argamosa encouraged those who “feel broken in any way” to contact DOH-NCMH’s crisis hotline 0917 899-8727 or 989-8727 if they need someone to talk to. (PNA)
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
