By Julie Mack

Maricela Alcala, chief executive officer of Gryphon Place, poses for a portrait in Kalamazoo County, Michigan on Monday April 11, 2022. Gryphon Place is agency that provides crisis and counseling services, they also provided a 24/7 helpline

This story is the latest from the Southwest Michigan Journalism Collaborative's #MentalWellnessProject

More than 15,000 Michiganders died by #suicide over the past decade, include 345 in Kalamazoo County. While rates are highest among middle-age and older #men, #suicides account for more than 20% of deaths among ages 15 to 24.

Studies indicate 90% of people who die by #suicide have an underlying — and potentially treatable — #mentalhealthcondition.

Regardless of age, experts say that asking someone directly, “Are you thinking of killing yourself?” can be effective at identifying someone at risk for #suicide, offering the opportunity to steer them to professional help.

#James Donaldson 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/JamesMentalHealthArticleOrder your copy of James Donaldson's latest book,#CelebratingYourGiftofLife:From The Verge of Suicide to a Life of Purpose and Joy

http://www.celebratingyourgiftoflife.com

Find this story from MLive/Kalamazoo

This story is part of the #MentalWellnessProject, a solutions-oriented journalism initiative covering #mentalhealthissues in southwest Michigan, created by the Southwest Michigan Journalism Collaborative. SWMJC is a group of 13 regional organizations dedicated to strengthening local journalism. For more info visit swmichjournalism.com
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