#Suicide has been on the rise in the pediatric population. Now a new report looks at the prevalence of #suicideideation and #suicideattempts in #teenagers and young adults with #mentalhealthproblems.
The pop culture of the past few years along with continual reports shedding light on the increasing number of suicides and incidence of #suicideideation has made #mentalhealth a critical area of pediatric care. A new report in Pediatrics adds more data about #suicidalideation and attempts.1
#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
The investigators used data from the Québec Longitudinal Study of Child Development. Validated questionnaires were used to assess externalizing, which included oppositional/defiance, conduct issues, and attention deficit and/or hyperactivity, and internalizing, which included #depression and #anxiety.
The study included 1618 patients. The lifetime prevalence of passive #suicidalideation in patients aged 13 to 17 years was 22.2%; lifetime prevalence of serious #suicidalideation was 9.8%; and the lifetime prevalence of a #suicideattempt in patients aged 13 to 20 years was 6.7%. The rates of passive and serious ideation increased with time, but the rates for #suicideattempt were stable. Following univariable analyses, #suicide-related outcomes were linked to all the studied #mentalhealthproblems. The association was of similar strength for both #male and #female participants. Following multivariable analyses, depressive and conduct symptoms were linked to #suicide attempt and internalizing problems were linked to #suicidalideation.
The researchers concluded that #suicideideation and #suicideattempts were common among adolescent and young adult patients. The common nature of suicidal risk in these groups should lead providers to assess #suiciderisk in all #teenagers and especially in those who have #mentalhealthproblems.
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
