Lance Blanks: An Inside Look at Mental Health Services

  Lance Blanks was 56 when he passed away Wednesday. Blanks played basketball at the University of Texas, helping lead Travis Mays and Joey Wright's Longhorns team to an Elite Eight appearance in 1990. Drafted 26th overall by Detroit Pistons he also spent time with Minnesota Timberwolves as well as Europe. Mental Health St. Lance Blanks' death has raised serious concerns over mental health services in our nation. Last week he apparently took his own life at age 56; Riley Reed wrote an obituary for ESPN in which she described his life and encouraged anyone considering suicide to contact the National Suicide Prevention Hotline immediately. She remembered her father as being an influential leader both on and off the basketball court. Reed noted that her father will go down in history as one of the greatest. A standout at University of Texas, he led them to an Elite Eight appearance in 1990 NCAA Tournament with 1,322 points that still rank as highest total by any two-year player ever at Texas. Reed was honored with induction into their Hall of Honor. Blanks joined the NBA briefly before transitioning into various sports administration roles such as assistant general manager for the Cleveland Cavaliers and director of scouting with San Antonio Spurs scouting programs, in addition to television analysis of Texas basketball on Longhorn Network television channels. A well-respected leader within his community and field, Blanks was much beloved. Joe Dumars, who played with Blanks both at Texas and in the NBA, spoke of his friend's work ethic, dedication to his craft, and kindness during a tribute in his obituary. New York offers numerous mental health programs for residents. The Department of Mental Hygiene (DMH) oversees their delivery. Their Behavioral Health System comprises residential and outpatient services; consultation-liaison psychiatric evaluations, day treatment programs, intensive outpatient programs, partial hospitalization programs and community support services are just some of these offerings. In addition to these offerings there are community based residential programs under this system as well. The Behavioral Health System offers an array of residential services, from apartment treatment programs and single room occupancy community residence programs, to licensed congregate treatment sites, licensed congregate treatment sites, supportive scattered site housing programs operated by DePaul in Erie, Genesee, Livingston Monroe Niagara Onondaga Orleans Schenectady Wyoming counties. Suicide Rates Though it remains unknown what prompted Lance Blanks' suicide, his death highlights a larger problem: rising rates of suicide among people from underserved communities such as rural areas and those belonging to ethnic or racial minority groups - such as American Indians/Alaska Natives/African Americans/Hispanics or anyone of another race; LGBTI individuals also experience high rates of suicide. Suicide rates have seen an alarming increase, particularly among men in rural areas where their suicide rate stands at 30.6 per 100,000 people compared to 21.0 for women in urban areas. Furthermore, American Indians/Alaskan Natives; African Americans; Hispanics; LGBTI individuals are especially prone to suicide as are those from low socioeconomic backgrounds and those who have experienced trauma or abuse in the past. Since hitting a low in 2000, suicide rates have steadily increased - 30 percent during just the past decade alone. Although its causes remain elusive, one possible explanation could be access to mental health services and stigma associated with them. Suicide can be linked to numerous issues, including family histories of depression, substance use disorders and bipolar disorder. Other influences can include social support systems, access to healthcare and living environments which make someone susceptible. Persons contemplating suicide often exhibit symptoms like changes in behavior and sleeping patterns as well as social withdrawal and avoidance. Furthermore, they may express their intentions verbally or through gestures. Anyone contemplating suicide should be considered at high risk and should immediately reach out for help. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline can be reached at 1-800-273-8255 while Veterans Affairs offers numerous resources for service members and their families; in CY 2021 alone 519 Active Component and Reserve Component Service members took their lives, with young enlisted males facing greater risks of suicide than other groups. Treatment Options No matter who is suffering from mental illness, it's essential that they understand all their treatment options - these could range from self-help programs, support groups and community care to medication or combination treatments - which may work effectively. Lance Blanks, an NBA player and executive who hails from Del Rio in Texas and was honored by Longhorn Hall of Fame, died by suicide at 56 on May 3. Known for scoring 1,322 points during 1988-89 and 1989-90 for Texas, which remains the highest total by any two-year player ever at school history, and later being honored in 2007 with induction into Longhorn Hall of Honor, Blanks played for both the Detroit Pistons and Minnesota Timberwolves before retiring from professional basketball in 2010. Subsequently, he transitioned into general managership for Phoenix Suns from 2010-13. Community-Based Mental Health (CBMH) is an approach that offers various services for those living with mental illnesses, such as case management, support groups and housing assistance. CBMH aims to assist patients in becoming independent while living successfully within their communities - these services are delivered by trained professionals such as psychiatrists and therapists. CBMH services also include support for people living with chronic illnesses or special needs, providing education on medication usage and management as well as peer support - a form of therapy where people with similar conditions help each other - which can reduce feelings of isolation while offering encouragement. CBMH also offers family therapy as another service that can benefit families of people living with mental illness. Such therapy sessions can improve communication among family members and increase effectiveness of treatments. Families should embrace such forms of help when necessary as this will allow the entire unit to recover from having someone living with a mental disorder in the household. Resources Lance Blanks was an NBA exec and Longhorn basketball analyst renowned for his positive outlook and longhorn basketball analyst at Texas. Unfortunately, many people need help and resources are available within our communities that can offer assistance and assistance to them. Blanks' daughter Riley wrote an emotive piece for ESPN detailing his suicide - 56-year-old who served as general manager for Phoenix Suns before going on to work scout for several other teams including Clippers among others. Blanks was an outstanding shooting guard at the University of Texas before beginning his professional basketball career with Detroit Pistons and Minnesota Timberwolves of the NBA, as well as playing briefly overseas before retiring and transitioning into an executive role with both organizations. Additionally, he served as college basketball analyst on ESPN. Blanks was not without his struggles; he battled depression and alcohol dependence for some time prior to taking his life. Since his passing, family and friends have reached out in his memory offering support. Riley Blanks Reed shared in an open letter to fans her father's struggles with mental health and how he tried to cope. She remembers him fondly as someone who loved his family dearly while making an impactful mark on basketball world. Reed also reminded readers that there are many resources available for those in need of support, such as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline and encouraged them to remember her father by honoring his legacy and celebrating his life. While the NBA mourns Blanks' death, many players and coaches have taken to social media to pay their respects. Former teammate Joe Dumars referred to Blanks as an integral member of his community and paid his last respects on his account. Lance Blanks' death serves as an unsettling reminder that mental illness can be fatal. This virus has had an especially profound impact on Black communities nationwide and many are seeking assistance for it - NewsOne has provided a list of resources which may assist.