#Adolescents of color and #teens who identify as #gay, #lesbian, or #bisexual are much more likely to experience #homelessness, a new study suggests.
More than 1 in 20 U.S. #highschool #students have experienced #homelessness, putting them at increased risk for a wide range of #mentalhealth and substance use problems, a new study suggests.
As of 2019, before the #COVID-19 #pandemic shuttered #schools and created an avalanche of emotional and financial challenges for #American families, 5.6 percent of U.S. #highschool #students were #homeless, the study found. #Youths without housing were significantly more likely to be #male, #Black, #Hispanic, or identify as #gay or #lesbian, researchers report yesterday in JAMA.
Compared with #teens with secure housing, those who experienced #homelessness were more than twice as likely to seriously consider, plan, or attempt #suicide, the study found. #Homeless #teens were also more than twice as likely to binge drink or misuse prescription opioids, and roughly 13 times more likely to use heroin, approximately 8 times more likely to use cocaine, about 7 times more prone to using methamphetamine or injected drugs, and more than 5 times more likely to use ecstasy.
“Our study found that #homeless #adolescents experienced significantly worse #mentalhealth and more substance use than their housed counterparts,” senior study author Rishi Wadhera, MD, of Beth Israel Deaconess Medical in Boston, said in a statement.
For the study, researchers examined data from the National #Youth #Behavior Survey, which #highschool #students can complete voluntarily and anonymously. Overall, the study included data on almost 106,000 #teens who had secure housing and roughly 4,500 #adolescents who experienced #homelessness, which researchers defined as lacking a “fixed, regular, or adequate nighttime residence.”
One limitation of the study is the possibility that it underestimated the disproportionate burden of #homelessness among #LGBTQ+ #youth because most high #school #students left questions about their #sexualorientation and gender identity blank. Another drawback is that researchers lacked data on whether #homeless #teens were on their own or living with a family.
#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
Order your copy of James Donaldson’s latest book,
Celebrating Your Gift of Life:
From The Verge of Suicide to a Life of Purpose and Joy
Beyond this, it’s likely that the problem has only gotten worse since the start of the #pandemic, Dr. Wadhera said.
“The U.S. is facing a #youth #homelessness crisis, which will only be exacerbated by challenges presented by the #COVID-19 #pandemic, including parental deaths, housing evictions, and worsening poverty,” Wadhera said. “We need to implement policies and interventions that improve broad health, social, and educational outcomes among homeless #adolescents, and perhaps more importantly, prevent and end #adolescent #homelessness altogether.”
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
