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Depression

James Donaldson stands in a park in front of ocean
Spring 2022

James Donaldson’s gift of life

James Donaldson had a great college and professional basketball career, a physical therapy business, and many aspirations, even in retirement from sports.

But over the course of several years, illness, bankruptcy, divorce, and circumstances in life sent Donaldson into a dark mental spiral. He found his way back, writing a book about his struggles and starting a foundation to help others.

In this episode, Donaldson talks with magazine associate editor Adriana Janovich about his struggles with depression and suicidal thoughts, his recovery and memoir, and his desire to help other men, especially men of color, who face the same darkness.

Donaldson, a 1979 alum of … » More …

James Donaldson at a basketball game for WSU
Spring 2022

Video and stories about James Donaldson

Former Coug and NBA basketball star James Donaldson (’79 Socio.) faced a lot of adversity over the last decade. He has turned his struggles with mental health into a new purpose: helping others through sharing his experiences.

Video: Eric Johnson (’84 Comm.) interviews Donaldson for Eric’s Heroes on Seattle’s KOMO-TV

Donaldson is a guest on Chino y Chicano, co-hosted by Enrique Cerna (’75 Comm.). (Read more about Cerna and his podcast)

Your Gift of Life: Donaldson’s nonprofit to increase awareness of mental health

Read more about Donaldson’s journey back in “Standing tall.”

From the … » More …

Summer 2008

The Coming Depression

 

Illustration David Wheeler

 

I don’t know about you, but I’ve been waiting for this all my life. Growing up with parents born in the crash year of ’29, and with grandparents marked and ennobled by sacrifice and ingenuity in living well with nothing, I’ve amounted to nothing but a Baby Boomer: first coddled and spoiled, and soon to bring down, single-handedly, the world’s climate stability and Social Security.

But now I have a chance to redeem myself. … » More …