South Africa marks Teen Suicide Prevention Week from February 9-16, highlighting the growing issue of teen suicide. SADAG’s National Toll-Free Suicide Crisis Helpline receives numerous calls from teens seeking help for themselves or friends
The pressures facing today’s generation of adolescents and young adults are taking a toll on their mental health, increasing the risk of drug addiction and suicide.
“Even in the best of circumstances, adolescence and the transition from childhood to adulthood is a vulnerable phase of development,” says Dr Kavendren Odayar, a psychiatrist practicing at Netcare Akeso Gqeberha, ahead of Teen Suicide Prevention Week.
“For any young person, it can be difficult to adjust to the rapid physical and emotional changes during this time – even without a mental health disorder in the picture. Parents, teachers, and caregivers should therefore be alert to signs that could suggest adolescents or teenagers are struggling,” Dr Odayar says.
“Many of us may remember how the challenges we faced at school and shifts in understanding of individual identity impacted our emotional state. On top of this, the current generation of young people still bears the mental health scars of the Covid-19 lockdown.
“In the past five years, data suggests that adolescent mental health has been deteriorating worldwide with high rates of depression, anxiety, and trauma-related outcomes including substance abuse.”
The prolonged period of social isolation and social distancing during the pandemic could have disrupted certain aspects of the critical development that takes place during adolescence. “This isolation goes against the social nature of human beings, and many teenagers are still living with the consequences of mental disorders that developed or escalated during lockdown,” he says.
“Temptation to experiment with drugs in the context of this mental health pandemic is more likely to be amplified, potentially leading to full-blown substance use disorders as there is known to be a relationship between addiction and other types of mental health disorders.”
Dr Odayar says many families prefer not to think about teenagers or adolescents taking their own lives and may not realise the full implications of changes in behavior that could indicate mental health concerns.
“This is significant, as adolescent suicide is most frequently due to mental illness, and suicide has been documented as the second largest contributor to adolescent mortality.”
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#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 Find out more about the work I do on my 501c3 non-profit foundation website www.yourgiftoflife.org Order your copy of James Donaldson’s latest book, #CelebratingYourGiftofLife: From The Verge of Suicide to a Life of Purpose and Joy
Young people experiencing anxiety, depression, or other ‘unseen’ emotional or psychiatric issues may find it hard to put what they are going through into words or might feel a sense of shame about speaking up about it to their parents, other adults or even their peers.
“To this day, there is still unfortunately sometimes a stigma attached to mental health, and this can result in young people feeling distressed and not seeking help. Given the high incidence of suicide in this age group, I would urge families to check in with the younger generation and ask them about how they are coping in a supportive, sensitive way.
“In the fast pace of day-to-day life, it is all too easy to lose touch with young people – even if they are living under the same roof. Early detection is key to preventing suicide. Parents, please talk to your children and take notice of them – no matter how busy you may be,” he says.
Social withdrawal, changes in eating or sleeping patterns, and acting out in ways that seem out of character can indicate potential cause for concern, as mental illness is picked up by those closest to them who notice changes in the person’s behavior.
“These warning signs suggest the need to seek professional help. A young person talking about death or suicide is even more urgent and should never be ignored, dismissed, or punished.
“While there are not always noticeable signs of a young person’s suicidal intention, as a society, we need more awareness and less stigma to help adolescents and teenagers find mental health support to help prevent such tragedies wherever possible,” Dr Odayar says.
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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:
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 [email protected] 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
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