#Middle-aged #white #men have the highest #suicide rate in the country.
The #AmericanPsychologicalAssociation says between 2000 to 2016, there was a 21-percent increase in #suicides among #boys and #men.
Carl Willis spoke with race car driver Justin Peck about his #suicide attempt.
Despite the chaos you see on the track, “We’re battling against people, doors are getting ripped off and rolling down mountains, it’s crazy right?”
Professional Race Car Driver Justin Peck describes racing as being like medicine.
“The second I take my helmet and put over my face, it’s like the world stops all the chaos, negativity, junk, whatever, goes away.”
Peck has bipolar disorder. He experiences intense highs and lows– including a very low point years ago.
“I found myself driving up a canyon I’d been to several times to unplug from the world,” said Peck. “I grabbed my pistol, loaded it, put it to my head and I pulled the trigger. I just heard this loud click. I have shot thousands of rounds through this pistol and it never misfired, and the one time it misfires, it saves my life.”
He immediately called his doctor to get help— something he’d hesitated to do before that moment.
“I was quiet for so many years because it was an ego thing. I had a #mentalillness, so that must mean I’m weak,” said Peck.
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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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Paul Gianfriddo, president of #MentalHealthAmerica, says that many #men have that same concern.
“#Men have been taught to tough it out when they’re having problems and as a result, they sometimes try to tough it out for too long.”
According to the #AmericanFoundationforSuicidePrevention, men died by #suicide 3-and-a-half times more often than #women. And accounted for nearly 70-percent of #suicide deaths, in 2017.
Peck says he still struggles every day– but that his friends, family, and doctor help him through. He stresses that men thinking about #suicide need to get help now before it’s too late.
“Take your pride, take your ego, and throw them in the damn garbage can.”
Through his memoir called “bulletproof” and a new partnership with #MentalHealthAmerica, Peck hopes sharing his darkest moment will serve as a wake-up call to others.
“If I can save a life, if I can save one person from going up a canyon, it’s worth it. It’s worth it.”
If you think you or a loved one may need help, Mental Health America has a free screening tool that can help point you in the right direction.
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
