#Suicideattempts and #bullying exploitation are critical areas of psychological stressors to pay attention to. A recent study reveals that #suicidalbehaviors and #bullying risks are excessive among the minority demographic, including #sexualminorities and #female #adolescents.
#Suiciderisks among #sexualminority groups
According to the #WorldHealthOrganization, many #adolescents, around one in seven #teens suffer from a #mentaldisorder, such as #depression, #anxiety, and #behavioraldisorders. #Mentalhealth is critical to address not only in #adults but also in #adolescents to live a fulfilling life into #adulthood.
There are three types of #suicide-related actions, including #suicide, #suicideattempt, and #suicidalideation. #Suicide refers to an actual death caused by self-administered injury, while #suicidalideation is the contemplation of #suicide. #Suicideattempt refers to a failed, non-fatal injury attempted by a person.
With physical and emotional changes happening in #adolescents, many undergo psychological difficulties without proper treatment or care. Across the world, 14 percent of #adolescents encounter #mentalhealthconditions throughout their years, often leading to educational difficulties and even physical symptoms.
#Bullying and #suicide risk are highly correlated, as one can cause another. As both issues can cause serious #mentalhealth and physical difficulties, we have to critically examine the vulnerable #adolescents in our society.
A recent study found that #bullying and #suicidalattempt rates are highest for #female #adolescents and #sexualminorities. #Sexualminority groups can include #homosexual couples, #bisexuals, #transgenders, and more.
With #suicide being one of the top death-causing risks in #adolescents, risk factors include #alcohol overdose, #childhood abuse, #mentalhealthstigma, #bullying, and lack of access to #mentalhealthcare. With the advancement of technology, #socialmedia is also another platform to increase #bullying #behaviors and the risk of #suicide.
Within a span of four years between 2015 and 2019, the #bullying harassment percentage rose from 31.6 percent to 44.5 percent for nonheterosexual orientation groups, ranking them as the highest victimization group.
For #adolescents, #suicide is one of the leading causes of death aside from accidental deaths including #firearm-related injuries and motor vehicle crashes. To thoroughly examine the reasoning behind #suiciderisks and prevent further actions, our society must pay attention to the #mentalhealth and evaluation of #youths to create a healthy mindset.
#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/JamesMentalHealthArticle
Order your copy of James Donaldson’s latest book,
#CelebratingYourGiftofLife:
From The Verge of Suicide to a Life of Purpose and Joy
www.celebratingyourgiftoflife.com
How #bullying affects more #female #adolescents than #males
“#Bullying is significantly associated with depressive symptoms, #suicidalideation, #suicide planning, and #suicideattempts,” said Rutgers School of Nursing-Camden assistant professor Nancy Pontes. “We wanted to look at this link between #bullying victimization, depressive symptoms, and suicidality by #gender.”
As revealed by Rutgers University’s research, #female #adolescents are more vulnerable to #bullying than their #male counterparts. #Female #adolescents are more susceptible to #bullying, and also have an increased risk of suicidal plans compared to male #adolescents.
#Bullying is more physical when it comes to #boys, unlike #girls who deal with emotional #bullying and #mental stressors. Bullying in #female #adolescents can stray from the usual means of #bullying, including exclusion from social circles, circulating rumors, and even #sexualharassment and emotional aggression.
“Our #school interventions should understand the differences in #bullying and how we might better address #females who are bullied,” continued Pontes. “There are parents who see it as a rite of passage. They say, ‘Everyone gets bullied. You have to buck up. Stand up for yourself.”
Prevention for #suicide and #bullying risks in #adolescents
Interfering with #adolescents to constantly examine their #mentalhealth state is crucial in today’s society. With ample exposure to #bullying via #socialmedia, caretakers must give proper care and #mentalhealth protection when required.
35 research studies involving more than two million #heterosexual #adolescents and 113,468 sexual #minority #adolescents exhibited that #transgender #youths had the highest risk of #suicideattempts. More public recognition is needed to help #adolescents gain support and education about #mentalhealth.
Communities can also participate in the #mentalhealth of #adolescents by creating #school presentations, and community events, and making #mentalhealthservices more accessible to any needed #adolescents.
#Schools can also heavily participate in the prevention of #bullying and #suicide risks by training #school professionals to take actionable measures to deal with such events.
James Donaldson is a Washington State University graduate (’79). After an outstanding basketball career with WSU, he went on to play professional basketball in the NBA with the Seattle Supersonics, San Diego/L.A. Clippers, Dallas Mavericks, New York Knicks, and Utah Jazz. He also played for several teams in the European Leagues in Spain, Italy, and Greece, and he toured with The Harlem Globetrotters to wrap up his career. James was an NBA All-Star in 1988 while playing center for the Dallas Mavericks. In 2006, James was inducted into the Pac-10 Sports Hall of Fame and also the Washington State University Athletic Hall of Fame. In 2010, James was elected as a board member for the NBA Retired Players Association.
James frequently conducts speaking engagements (motivational, inspirational, educational) for organizations, schools, and youth groups.
In 2010, James was the recipient of the NBA Legends of Basketball ABC Award, awarded for outstanding contributions in Athletics–Business–Community.
He believes in being a role model for success and professionalism to the scores of young people to whom he devotes so much of his time. He currently serves on several boards and committees and is a member of many organizations.
James believes in developing relationships that create a “Win-Win” environment for everyone involved, and in being the best he can be!
For more information about James Donaldson or to request he speak at your event, contact him at:
www.StandingAboveTheCrowd.com
JamesD@StandingAboveTheCrowd.com
1-800-745-3161 (voicemail & fax)
James Donaldson is the author of “Standing Above The Crowd” and “Celebrating Your Gift of Life” and founder of the Your Gift of Life Foundation which focuses on mental health awareness and suicide prevention, especially pertaining to our school aged children and men.
If you’re interested in having James come and speak to your group of young adults, business entrepreneurs, aspiring political and community leaders, and athletic teams, please contact him at jamesd@yourgiftoflife.org and or leave a personal message for him at 1-800-745-3161. Keep up with him and read about how he is reaching out and making a difference in the lives of so many around the world at www.yourgiftoflife.org
