70 per cent patients with #mentalhealthdisorders contemplated #suicide during lockdown, says expert
KEY HIGHLIGHTS
- Most of the patients were between 25 and 40 of age, and more #men than #women reported the tendency of active ideation
- About half of the patients do not have any history of #mentalillness in the past
- Many of the patients are in regular touch with #doctors outside the formal interaction period
#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
Gurugram: The months-long lockdown to prevent the spread of #COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel #coronavirus, has taken a severe toll on the #mentalhealth of the people, with #doctors observing as many as 70 per cent patients with #mentalhealthdisorders contemplating #suicide during this period. They said the impact is lingering and may take several months to stop #suicideideation.
“As many as 7 out of every 10 patients since the lockdown have said they felt suicidal during the lockdown. There is a clear and sharp rise from the pre-lockdown time when we saw such thoughts in 5 to 7 people out of every 10 patients. This is almost 70 per cent rise from March. The reasons for this rise are many – working professionals mostly complaining of irregular work hours, #stress of work combined with lack of personal space as spouses are working from home. Most of them are living in the city away from their parents and families, and lack of physical meetings with friends and family have increased the #stress and #anxiety levels,” said Dr Shweta Sharma, Consultant Clinical Psychologist, Columbia Asia Hospital, Gurugram.
According to Dr Sharma, most of the patients were between 25 and 40 years of age, with majority of the cases being active ideation, and more #men than #women reported the tendency, which indicates the growing level of #anxiety and #mentalhealthproblems in them. About half of the patients do not have any history of #mentalillness in the past.
“We treat such patients with medicines, counselling, or talking therapies, such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT). Besides, many of these patients are in regular touch outside the formal interaction period such as meetings or teleconferencing. It may take these people several months before they can go back to a healthy mental state,” added Dr Sharma.
Suicidal thoughts, also known as #suicidalideation, refer to a psychological state where the person thinks about #suicide that can range from a detailed plan to a fleeting consideration. However, #suicidalideation does not include the act of #suicide. There are two kinds of #suicidalideation – passive and active. While passive #suicidalideation refers to a state when one wishes themselves to be dead, but do not actually have any plans to commit #suicide while active #suicidalideation is more than thinking about it – those who have active #suicidalideation plan how to do it along with an intent to commit #suicide.
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
