The recent #suicide deaths of two students who survived the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School and a father who lost his daughter at Sandy Hook Elementary School are heartbreaking reminders of the trauma that school or workplace violence can inflict on survivors. They also underscore the need for treatment and support, long after an incident occurs.
In Florida, death by #suicide is the second leading cause of death in the 15-24 age group. More teenagers and young adults die by #suicide than from motor vehicle accidents or homicides. While more girls attempt #suicide and more boys die by #suicide, the rates of death by #suicide have increased over the last decade for the young, the old, and our #veterans.
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
But there are actions we can take to reduce #suicide deaths. Prevention, post-event intervention and providing community #mentalhealthtreatment resources are key to reduce the number of #suicide deaths.
Florida needs a multi-track strategy for addressing its #mentalhealth challenges, and these are positive steps forward.
As a state, what can we do? Let’s start with prevention. This includes training and education aimed at reducing the #stigma of #mentalhealth treatment, particularly for people having #suicidalthoughts. Studies show that the Gen X and Boomer generations are less likely to make a negative association about seeking #mentalhealthtreatment. However, those in the Generation Z and Millennial generations are more likely to feel ashamed when actively seeking help.
Programs like #MentalHealthFirstAid teach people how to recognize the signs of a #mentalhealth or addiction crisis, initiate a conversation, and ultimately connect people to professional help and community resources. Everyone can #BeTheDifference for someone who is struggling with a #mentalhealth or substance use problem if they know what to say and what to do.
Somehow in our society, we talk openly about cancer, diabetes and heart disease yet we whisper about diseases of the brain like #mentalillness, #depression and bi-polar disorder. Together each one of us can raise the public awareness of #suicide deaths and the role we can play in saving lives, simply by talking about it and messaging that is safe to seek treatment.
Post-event intervention activities are those which reduce risk and promote healing after a #suicide death. We know that a key indicator for a future #suicide death is a past attempt. When someone experiences a loss by a #suicide death, they need their own intervention to prevent another #suicide death. These interventions include offering #mentalhealth treatment using trauma-informed care, peer-to-peer support, and spiritual support.
There is also a need to improve #mentalhealthprevention programming in our schools; We should make #mentalhealthprevention programming available in every grade, in every school, for every student, every year. Better yet, make it part of the curriculum.
Additional #mentalhealth expansion should include services for students year-round, not just during the school year. Plus, the #MentalHealthFirstAidTraining should be offered to both parents and #students along with school personnel. The training can help students feel safe in reporting #suicidethoughts and other #mentalhealth concerns.
These are the types of programs and activities that the Institute for a Safer Florida endorses.
Just as there is no single cause that leads to death by #suicide, there is no single prevention effort that will reduce #suicide death rates. But a combined effort, over time, may begin to make a difference. The #mentalhealth of our young people, our veterans, our neighbors, our families, and our children is too precious to waste. Start a conversation today.
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
[email protected]
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 [email protected] 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
