#Boxer Tyson Fury opened up regarding his struggles with #mentalhealth Wednesday, saying on The Rich Eisen Show he contemplated #suicide.
“I was on the verge of suicide. That’s when I’d have quit. But I didn’t quit on myself and I didn’t quit on the world. That’s why I’m back here to tell the story. … Life’s hard. Nothing’s ever going to hit you as hard as life will. And anyone who suffers from mental health problems, it is a silent killer. It kills more people every year than most other things.
“… I was no different. You’re thinking heavyweight champion of the world, a guy who’s on top of everything, he must be happy, right? But then I wasn’t. There wasn’t a day that I woke up that I didn’t pray for death. I had everything to be happy for, but every day was gray and dark.”
Fury, 30, said his upbringing made it hard to come to grips with his mental health. He said he was raised in a household where no one talked about their mental well-being, leading to him staying silent until he “exploded.”
“I do think the most important thing for anyone who suffers from #mentalhealth is communication,” Fury said. “Without communication with others, we’re not going to get better.”
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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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Fury previously said his #depression led to recreational drug use and #alcoholism.
“They say I’ve got a version of bipolar,” Fury told Stayton Bonner of Rolling Stone in 2016. “I’m a manic #depressive. I just hope someone kills me before I kill myself. … I’ve been out drinking, Monday to Friday to Sunday, and taking cocaine. I can’t deal with it and the only thing that helps me is when I get drunk out of my mind.”
Fury told Eisen he reached “rock bottom” while driving 160 miles per hour in his car on his way to brunch one day. He told Eisen he was “100 percent certain” he was going to kill himself that day.
“Just before I hit this bridge, I heard a voice in my mind saying ‘Don’t do this,'” Fury said. “This is not what you’re going to do. Think about your kids: gonna grow up with no father. Everyone’s going to say you’re a weak person. No. And I pulled the car over immediately, and I was shaking. And I called for help immediately.”
Fury then contacted his father and told him about his #depression, and then sought help from doctors and counselors. He said without the help of those around him, he would have taken his own life.
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
