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James Donaldson on Mental Health – CDC: Nearly 10% of American high schoolers attempted suicide last year
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Key takeaways:
Frequent social media use, bullying and racism were associated with poor mental health among high school students.
Protective factors included exercise, adequate sleep and engagement at home and school.
A recently published CDC study painted a detailed picture of mental health and suicide risk among high schoolers in the United States.
Analyzing more than 20,000 responses to the 2023 Youth Risk Behavior Survey, researchers from the CDC’s Division of Adolescent and School Health found that 39.7% of students reported experiencing persistent feelings of sadness and hopelessness during the previous year. More than one-quarter (28.5%) reported having poor mental health, 20.4% experienced suicidal thoughts and 9.5% said they had attempted suicide.
Derived from Verlenden JV, et al. MMWRMorb Mortal Wkly Rep Suppl. 2024;doi:10.15585/mmwr.su7304a9.
Suicide risk was higher among racially minoritized students and students who were transgender or questioning, researchers found. Frequent social media use, experiences of racism and feeling unsafe at school were associated with increased suicide risk among students.
Frequent social media use
According to Emily Young, MSEd, MPH, and colleagues, 77% of students reported using social media multiple times per day.
The researchers found that students who used social media frequently were more likely to be bullied at school or online compared with students who used social media less often. Frequent social media use was also associated with higher prevalence of depressive symptoms and suicidal thoughts
“Among LGBQ+ students, frequent social media users were more likely to experience electronic bullying victimizations than less frequent social media users yet demonstrated no significant differences in bullying victimization at school,” Young and colleagues wrote. “In contrast, heterosexual students who used social media frequently were more likely to experience both types of bullying victimization compared with heterosexual students who used social media less often.”
Risk among transgender and questioning students
Transgender and questioning students also experienced higher rates of bullying and poor mental health than their cisgender classmates, according to research from Nicolas A. Suarez, MPH, and colleagues.
Among transgender and questioning students, 40% said they were bullied at school, and nearly three-quarters reported depressive symptoms (72% and 69%, respectively).
A higher proportion of transgender (25.3%) and questioning (26.2%) students reported skipping school due to safety concerns compared with cisgender male students (8.5%). One-quarter of transgender and questioning students said they had attempted suicide in the past year, in contrast to 5% of cisgender male students and 11% of cisgender female students.
Racism in schools
Experiencing racism was also associated poor mental health and increased risky behavior, according to Izraelle I. McKinnon, PhD, and colleagues. One in three students (31.5%) reported experiencing racism at school. Asian students reported the highest prevalence (56.9%), followed by multiracial (48.8%) and Black or African American (45.9%) students. Among non-Hispanic white students, 17.3% reported experiencing racism.
Black students and Hispanic or Latino students who experienced racism at school were more likely to have poor mental health, experience suicidal thoughts and engage in substance use compared with students in their racial and ethnic group who reported never experiencing racism.
Poor mental health and suicide risk were higher among American Indian or Alaska Native (AI/AN) students and Asian students who reported experiencing racism.
The researchers reported that AI/AN, Asian, Black, Hispanic and multiracial students who experienced racism were twice as likely to consider attempting suicide compared with students in their racial and ethnic groups who never experienced racism.
#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 Find out more about the work I do on my 501c3 non-profit foundation website www.yourgiftoflife.org Order your copy of James Donaldson’s latest book, #CelebratingYourGiftofLife: From The Verge of Suicide to a Life of Purpose and Joy
In addition to learning what issues contribute to poor mental health and suicide risk among high schoolers, Jorge V. Verlenden, PhD, and colleagues identified some factors at home and at school that may mitigate these risks. Students who had good sleep habits and lived with adults who were engaged in their lives were less likely to experience poor mental health or suicidal thoughts and behavior. At school, being physically active and feeling connected to friends at school decreased students’ suicide risk. In addition, the researchers said mental health concerns were less prevalent among students who played on a sports team.
“This adds to previous evidence on the important role that safe and supportive school environments play in supporting students’ mental health and well-being during adolescence and into adulthood,” Verlenden and colleagues wrote. “However, research has also shown that female, Black, Hispanic and LGBQ+ youth and youth who have experienced racism feel less connected to school than their peers, highlighting the importance of creating opportunities for connectedness and belonging for students at higher risk for feeling marginalized at school.”
In another study that specifically looked at AI/AN students, those who had engaged caretakers and felt connected to people at school were less likely to use substances, experience violence at school or report suicidal thoughts and behaviors.
“Understanding historical context and incorporating Indigenous knowledge when developing interventions focused on AI/AN youths are critical to ensure such interventions are successful in improving AI/AN health and well-being,” Sherry Everett Jones, PhD, JD, and colleagues wrote.
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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:
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
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