#May is #MentalHealthAwareness Month.
Each year, #suicide claims more lives than war, murder and natural disasters combined. Local mental health activists are turning their own tragedies into a way to help others.
“You have been touched by suicide, whether you’re consciously aware of it or not,” said Barbara Welty, a health promotion specialist. “They used to say six to seven people were touched by a single suicide, and now they realize it’s more like 18 to 24 people.”
Welty herself was touched by suicide nearly 20 years ago, after a fellow church member’s shocking death.
“We’re all touched by it, but most of us choose not to acknowledge it or put it on the back burner,” Welty said.
That’s why local #mentalhealth activists are speaking up.
“It’s not really something we generally talk about as humans,” said Stephen Gray, chairman of the Michiana Out of the Darkness Walk. “If we don’t talk about it, we can’t prevent it.”
All of the funds from the walk will go to local organizations that provide resources to those struggling with mental illness.
Welty and Gray are working together to break down the stereotypes surrounding mental health.
“It’s just a real misunderstanding of how the body works,” Welty said. “Your head is attached to your body, so if you can break your arm, you can have something get broken in your head. Most of us don’t make that connection.”
Welty said it is important that we speak up and help those around us. Much like if someone slipped on ice and we would rush over to help them, we also need to care for those we notice struggling mentally.
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
