Almost 1 in 10 adolescents aged 12 to 17 had a major depressive episode in the last year.
In 2017, an estimated 2.3 million adolescents aged 12 to 17 in the United States had at least one major depressive episode with severe impairment. This number represented 9.4% of the U.S. population aged 12 to 17. – National Institute of Mental Health, 2017 data
The number of young people who ended up at the hospital for #suicide attempts or ideation more than doubled from 2008 to 2015, with more than 115,000 teens being effected.
“Recently published data show that the numbers of hospital encounters and admissions for #suicide attempts and #suicideideation in young persons more than doubled during the period 2008 to 2015.”
A 2019 study found that the rate of young people with #mentalhealth problems has more than doubled in the last decade.
“A study published this month in the Journal of Abnormal Psychology finds that over the past decade the number of youth with #mentalhealth disorders has more than doubled … Survey responses from more than 200,000 youth ages 12 to 17 between 2005 to 2017 and approximately 400,000 adults between 2008 to 2017 were reviewed, and what researchers discovered was alarming. For youth, major #depression increased 52 percent from 2005 to 2017 – from 8.7 percent to 13.2 percent, and it rose 63 percent in young adults ages 18 to 25 from 2009 (8.1 percent) to 2017 (13.2 percent).” – National Institute of Mental Health, 2017 data
#JamesDonaldson 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
Nationally, 60% of adolescents who had a major depressive episode did not receive treatment.
“Approximately 60.1% of adolescents with major depressive episode did not receive treatment.” – National Institute of Mental Health, 2017 data
More #teens (70%) view #anxiety and #depression as a major problem among their peers than bullying, drug addiction, alcohol, poverty, teen pregnancy or gangs.
“Concern about #mentalhealth cuts across gender, racial and socio-economic lines, with roughly equal shares of #teens across demographic groups saying it is a significant issue in their community.” – Pew Research Center: Social Trends (2018 data)
The rate of death by #suicide for #teenagers (15-19) is at the highest level since 2000 – JAMA 2017 data.
#Teen #mentalhealth, #depression and #suicide in North Carolina
#Suicide is the second-leading cause of death for #teens in NC, behind only motor vehicle crashes.
In NC, 44 children aged 10 to 17 died by #suicide in 2017.
NC has the worst rate of any state for providing #children who have behavioral health diagnoses with #mentalhealthcare: Nearly 3 in 4 were unable to meet with a licensed provider in the last year.
“The release of the report cards, and focus on #suicide as a worrying trend, comes on the heels of a national study published in JAMA Pediatrics this month that found North Carolina has the poorest record in the country in providing #mentalhealthservices to children with behavioral health diagnoses. That study found most (72 percent) of North Carolina #children diagnosed with a behavioral health condition were unable to meet with a licensed #mentalhealthprovider within the last year.”
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
