BY SINA M. SAFAHIEH, M.D.
Alarming headlines have filled the news this past week. First, there was a chilling exposé of a website that encourages #teenagers to take their own lives. Then Instagram CEO Adam Mosseri’s testimony before Congress failed to articulate safeguards for #teens’ #mentalhealth, despite research that links the #socialmedia site to #teen #depression, #anxiety and #suicidalideation.
There is no doubt that the nation’s #youth are hurting. The one-two punch of #pandemic-related #isolation and #socialmedia exploiting children’s vulnerabilities has scarred our #teens and young #adults.
A recent advisory from the U.S. Surgeon General on the #youth #mentalhealthcrisis warns of worsening #depression, #anxiety and suicides among our #adolescent population that was already experiencing a major national crisis prior to #COVID-19. The number of U.S. emergency room visits for suspected #suicideattempts by #teen #girls jumped during the #COVID-19 #pandemic by as much as 51%.
Here in Orange County, we are experiencing this firsthand.
The California Department of Health reported that the number of #suicides among people age 18 and under rose in 2020. In Orange County as of September, 11 young people took their lives, far surpassing the four-year average of eight suicides.
#COVID-19 has precipitated a #mentalhealthcrisis, fueled by #socialisolation, collapse of routines and structure, and increased uncertainty about the future. All of us, whether young or old, have developed disease fatigue, which is exacerbated by continuous contact and exposure to potential triggers without respite.
#Mentalhealthissues are medical issues and need to be treated as such. It’s critical — now more than ever — to take #mentalhealth seriously and get our #teens the help they deserve.
#Parents can do their part by keeping an open mind, asking questions in an open-ended fashion and remaining nonjudgmental, non-critical, and non-accusatory. Timing is everything; find the right time and place to have this important and potentially emotionally charged conversation and remain #patient to revisit this conversation at a later time and date if necessary.
Emphasize that your concerns are coming from a place of love, warmth and support and don’t expect #teens to open up immediately about how they feel.
#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
Many times, #teens do not feel comfortable sharing these potentially deep seated issues with family members and may be more open and transparent with a third party like a #therapist, #psychologist, #pediatrician or #psychiatrist.
Don’t be afraid to reach out for help.
There are resources available in many communities, including through local, county and state departments. #Parents can find various directories online for #mental providers and should reach out to their respective insurance companies to obtain a list of providers, whether #therapist, #psychologist or #psychiatrists. Depending on the need or severity of symptoms, #parents may need to inquire about higher levels of care, including intensive outpatient programs, partial hospitalization programs, inpatient psychiatric units and residential treatment centers including therapeutic boarding school, wilderness programs and dual diagnosis (drug/alcohol combined in conjunction with primary #mentalhealthissues).
The ASPIRE #adolescent intensive outpatient program at Hoag, one of the few programs that has remained open in person in Orange County, has seen a significant rise in admissions due to the unnatural demands of this global health crisis.
No doubt, this has been a traumatic time for this generation, but I have hope for #teens. They are much more resilient and adaptable than we realize, but they have much better odds of flourishing and persevering in this time of crisis if they get the attention and support they deserve.
Dr. Sina Safahieh, #child and #adolescent #psychiatrist at Hoag.
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
