NBA Vet James Donaldson Releases New Suicide Prevention Book

As a professional athlete, you’d think James Donaldson, an All-Star player with the Seattle SuperSonics, would have it all.

And he did. Until he didn’t. James lost it all: his health, life savings, marriage, business, mother, and home all within a year’s time. It almost became too much to bear. He declared bankruptcy, lost his home to foreclosure, had to close his long-running business, which forced him to live on a very limited income, and had four major surgeries in five years.

He seriously contemplated suicide. “I fought long and hard to stay here on earth,” he said. “I emerged from that darkness realizing that I had a reason to still be here, which was to be a voice and advocate for suicide prevention, and mental health awareness. And to let people know how I made it through, and tips that I utilize to get through all that darkness.”

He shares his story – and advice for middle school and high school students as well as men – in his new book, “Celebrating Your Gift of Life: From the Verge of Suicide to a Life of Purpose and Joy.”

“Before the pandemic, I’d be in front of an assembly of 500 kids, and maybe five or six students would pull me aside and tell me they’re suicidal right now. And they don’t know how they’re going to make it through tonight. It’s the saddest thing,” he said. “This motivates me to help these young people. Kids aren’t the same as when you and I were kids. Smartphones are their best friends. They don’t have any real, true real people as friends like we did. And that smartphone isn’t going to help you when you can’t sleep at night.”

Men of all ages and races are known for not reaching out for help. “Being a big, strong former professional athlete, myself a person of color, we are the category that will not speak up. But I’m speaking up about it. I talk about it. I cry about it. I share my story over and over, and I try to get other men to do likewise,” he said.

Donaldson also created the Your Gift of Life Foundation, a platform for him provide speaking opportunities to students. The board of directors includes several mental health professionals who will help evaluate the best resources for people.

The foundation will raise money through contributions, his speaking appearances and book sales to provide scholarships to students of color going into the mental health profession.

“Currently, 1% of all mental health professionals are of color, which is a big reason communities of color still have a huge stigma and a taboo about mental health,” he said.

“Mental health issues are going to be the next pandemic,” he said. He will start a podcast to interview men who will tell their stories of how they are going through difficult times.

—
Photo Credit: PhotoProCorp / Shutterstock.com