The Holiday season can be a bright and cheerful time as we celebrate with friends and family; reflect on the past year and prepare for the next chapter; and celebrate with all our various traditions. But despite the cheer and joy that this time of year may bring for some of us, for many others it’s a hard time. From Seasonal Affective Disorder to feelings of loneliness and isolation, Winter can be an exceptionally hard time emotionally, especially in the Pacific Northwest with rainy weather and shorter days this time of year.

Despite the challenge that this time of year can present for our emotions and mental health, it is important to know that whatever we might feel we are not alone. Local NBA legend and founder of Your Gift of Life Foundation James Donaldson focused on this idea during his speech at Wednesday’s Seattle 4 Rotary meeting. Donaldson opened up about his own struggles with mental health, personal struggles, and even challenges with thoughts of suicide.

Donaldson is best known for his storied career playing for the Seattle Supersonics from 1980-1983, his 14 years in the NBA, and being selected as an NBA All-Star in 1988. Despite the career success that Donaldson attained he still faced personal challenges outside of the NBA. “My mother passed away. My wife walked out on our marriage and took her 12-year-old boy with her, my stepson, my life was just crashing around me,” Donaldson said in a video interview from his presentation.

From relationship struggles, financial challenges, and health challenges, Donaldson’s life was filled with anxiety and stress. Donaldson shared how his anxiety and stress would cause him to not be able to sleep for days as he worried about how to keep his business afloat, how to afford his housing, and how to overcome this challenge. Donaldson eventually consulted with his family doctor to try and get some help for the sleepless nights. “I thought he'd just prescribe me some sleeping pills and get me back on to sleep, but he took the time to really discuss and talk about what I was going through,” Donaldson said.

Donaldson shared how these struggles of anxiety, stress, and overall depression are things that many of us deal with or those around us may be struggling with. Donaldson shared how data indicates that there are over 50,000 suicides a year in the US which equates to one every 11 minutes. “So, by the time we’re out of here, six or seven people around the country would have taken their lives,” Donaldson said.