Dr. Michael A. Lindsey is a scholar in the field of child and adolescent #mentalhealth who leads a working group of experts supporting the Congressional Black Caucus Emergency Taskforce on #Black #Youth #Suicide and #MentalHealth. Dr. Lindsey, 48, also serves as the executive director of NYU McSilver Institute for Poverty Policy and Research and the Constance and Martin Silver Professor of Poverty Studies at NYU Silver School of Social Work. This is his story, as told to PEOPLE.
When I talk to families who had a child die by #suicide, something I always hear is that they had no idea that their child wanted to end their life.
That’s why we have to talk about the effects of #racism and discrimination on the #mentalhealth and well being of #Black #youth.
When #Black kids see photos and videos of a [typically] unarmed #Black person being killed by law enforcement or vigilantes — as in the recent cases of #GeorgeFloyd, Breonna Taylor and Ahmaud Arbery — it makes them question their reality. They can feel hopeless. When they see the video of #GeorgeFloyd’s death, they may see themselves, or a loved one. It is traumatizing. It conjures up #anxiety about whether that might happen to them, and can make them feel incredibly vulnerable.
We are starting to see that #Black #youth are becoming increasingly vulnerable to suicidal behavior. Several studies show this. In 2018, a group of experts at Ohio State University’s Nationwide Children’s Hospital conducted a study looking at #suicide deaths among 5 to 12 year olds over a span of about 15 years. They found that #suicide rates for #Black #children were roughly two times higher than those of #white #children. That difference has been growing over the span of the last 15 to 20 years.
A few colleagues and I recently completed a study that analyzed data from 1991 to 2017 from the Youth Risk Behavior Survey administered by the #CentersforDiseaseControl. We analyzed four indices of suicidal behavior: thinking about #suicide, planning, attempting #suicide and having an injury based on a #suicide attempt resulting in hospitalization.
#Black youth were the only group that had an increase over that span of time in #suicideattempts, at 73 percent — all other #racial ethnic groups saw a decrease.
There are other factors driving this spike, too, like poverty. #Black people are more likely to live in lower-resourced, low-income communities than #white people. We know poverty, specifically the #stress and trauma that it brings, can lead to #depression and trauma, which might be precursors to suicidal behavior.
#Black people also tend to have limited connections to #mentalhealthresources. In many communities of color, there are little to no #mentalhealthproviders in a #school. These #mentalhealthchallenges go unaddressed — and when not treated, they can make #Black youth vulnerable to psychiatric risk, including #suicide.
Look out for the signs: #anxiety, nervousness, restless, lack of energy, trouble sleeping. #Depression can also look like pessimism, anger or irritability. Yet oftentimes, when Black kids exhibit anger, we look at them differently and treat them differently. Our responses tend to be punitive.
#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
Dr. Michael A. Lindsey JOHN DAVID PITTMAN
I once spoke with a 15-year-old #Black #boy who was very depressed. He told me that when he was down about something, he wanted to knock somebody’s head off so they felt the same pain he did. Obviously, if he engages in that type of behavior at #school, he’d get suspended. But nobody is seeing that kid might be depressed.
So I often say to loved ones and educators: when a kid is irritable, that could be a sign that they’re struggling with #depression.
We often ask folks how they’re doing, and not so much how they’re feeling. It is so important, especially for young kids, to tap into our feelings and talk about them. What we see a lot with kids is a reticence to talk about how they feel, and let people into that space. So practicing on a regular basis is crucial.
Kids, too, can talk to each other. If a #white kid wants to check in on their #Black friend, they can acknowledge that what’s unfolding [the recent killings of #Black people] is not right. It’s not cool, and we need to fight for a better society. Kids are the future, and they can commit themselves to the future being different.
They should ask themselves: “How do we fight injustices at school? How can we call out #racism?”
If anyone is really struggling with feelings that life is not worth living, I really urge kids and family members to reach out to support lines for help.
The recent spate of killings has had a tremendous impact on me. I have become very sensitized to being #Black in #America, and the callous perspective on what that means, especially when you see someone die so unnecessarily, while they’re screaming out for help. Or seemingly benign things that you think you have the right to do, like jog, or enjoy nature in the park.
Hatred has become so weaponized. People are dying. I’ve struggled with my hope that things will ever get better, because haven’t we seen this story over and over again? Isn’t this our modern-day version of #lynching?
But at the same time, the protests and activism taking place give me hope. They give me strength that we’re having these important conversations, and it’s not even that we’re talking about pure #racism anymore, but we are taking account of structural #racism and how insidious it is. Perhaps change is possible.
We’re also seeing high profile #Black #athletes and #entertainers candidly discuss #mentalhealth like Taraji P. Henson, Usher, basketball player DeMar DeRozan. It helps destigmatize these issues so kids talk about them more.
So, I’m strengthened in my resolve. We’ll see what happens next.
- As told to Morgan Smith
If you or someone you know is considering #suicide, please contact the #NationalSuicidePreventionLifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255), text “STRENGTH” to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 or go to suicidepreventionlifeline.org.
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
