SYRACUSE — On Monday #Sen.ChuckSchumer (D-NY) paid a visit to Liberty Resources on Syracuse’s northside. Schumer announced a three-pronged plan to tackle an issue crushing our communities day in and day out. “Suicide is on the dramatic increase,” said Schumer. “#Suicide among young people is on the dramatic increase. Probably every one of us has friends or family that have experienced #suicide.”
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
According to the Centers for Disease Control, the #suicide rate has spiked by 33% in the last 20 years, reaching its highest level since World War II. In Onondaga County, 248 people took their own lives between 2013 and 2017.
The first part of Schumer’s plan is to boost federal money for localities like Liberty Resources to offer new treatments and service for those at risk. “While the number of lives lost has gone up. The federal government’s attention to this issue has basically stayed flat.”
The second part is a new push for more medicare-supported residency training spots for mental heath doctors. Local leaders in the #mentalhealth field said there is a vital need for clinicians in central New York. SUNY ESF partnered with the #NationalAllianceonMentalIllness (#NAMI) Syracuse chapter Monday to host a “Let’s Talk about Mental Health” presentation. SUNY ESF’s director of counseling services Ruth Larson said she has no where to send her students locally. “I have been here for three years and have no psychiatrists to refer our students to,” said Larson. “I end up tending to refer them to a psychiatrist back in their home community.”
The third part is dedicating grant money focusing on youth suicide prevention. The CDC said in 2015, 18% high school students seriously considered committed #suicide.
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
