Deprecated: Creation of dynamic property Simple_Author_Box_Guest_Authors::$options is deprecated in /var/www/wp-content/plugins/simple-author-box/premium/inc/class-simple-author-box-guest-authors.php on line 9 James Donaldson on Mental Health – Study highlights the link between adverse childhood experiences and adolescent suicidality – James Donaldson's – Standing Above The Crowd's Blog
A recent doctoral dissertation reveals that adverse childhood experiences, such as abuse and neglect, predisposes adolescents to suicidality. Girls had a higher risk of a suicidal event occurring during treatment, and suicidality risk screening at intake to behavioral and mental health services failed to predict a large number of suicidal events.
Adolescent suicide is a major public health concern in the United States. Extensive research has been conducted on suicidality (thoughts of suicide, suicide attempts, etc.) among the general adolescent population, but less is known about suicidality among adolescents who are at-risk, or have been exposed to adverse childhood experiences.
Adverse childhood experiences include things like domestic violence, abuse (physical, sexual, or emotional), neglect (physical or emotional), and chaotic home environment, and exposure to them makes at-risk adolescents more likely to experience suicidality.
At-risk adolescents are also more likely to receive treatment for behavioral and mental health disorders in the community at clinics that are underfunded and understaffed. This is concerning given that at-risk adolescents have more severe behavioral and mental disorders symptoms and are challenging to treat, even at the most well-equipped clinics.”
Karen L. Celedonia, Doctoral Researcher, University of Turku, Finland
Using a blend of quantitative and qualitative research methods, she examined factors associated with and factors that predicted suicidality and suicidal events among at-risk adolescents receiving behavioral and mental health services in the community in the United States.
Her research also investigated qualities that contribute to a strong therapeutic alliance between at-risk adolescents receiving behavioral and mental health services and their therapists, as well as analyzed the use of wide-scale suicide risk detection systems embedded in social media platforms.
Many suicidal events occurred despite negative risk screening at intake
The research findings revealed that thoughts of suicide and suicide attempt among at-risk adolescents were double and triple that of the general adolescent population, respectively. Sexual abuse was a strong predictor of suicidality.
#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
Average time to suicidal event after suicidality risk screen at intake to behavioral and mental health services was around 6 months, and adolescents who screened negative for suicidality risk at intake had a longer time until a suicidal event occurred.
Female gender was a predictor of a suicidal event occurring during treatment, and interestingly, almost half of the adolescents who presented with a suicidal event had screened negative for suicidality risk at intake.
“This could potentially be explained by the therapeutic alliance between adolescents and their therapists not being fully formed at intake, and therefore adolescents may not have felt comfortable disclosing a history of suicidal thoughts and behaviors,” says Celedonia.
Five qualities were identified by therapists providing behavioral and mental health services to at-risk adolescents as contributing to a strong therapeutic alliance between themselves and their at-risk adolescent clientele: ecosystemic approach; strong working alliance; professionalism; warmth and support; and open communication. Warmth and support was deemed the most important and most experienced quality by therapists.
Analysis of social media suicide risk detection systems revealed legal, ethical, and cultural concerns, to include the violation of the GDPR in Europe and HIPAA in the United States and the stigma attached to mental disorders, particularly in low- and middle-income countries.
The findings from Celedonia’s doctoral research may help other community-based behavioral and mental health care organizations improve detection and treatment of suicidality among at-risk adolescents.
“Based on the results, it would be advisable to implement routine suicidality risk screening after intake to behavioral and mental health services, regardless of how an adolescent screened at intake. Furthermore, given the high prevalence of suicidality among at-risk adolescents, using treatment approaches that specifically target suicidality as the main target of treatment may prove more effective at reducing suicidality symptoms, thereby preventing death by suicide,” says Celedonia.
Broader implications of the research include focusing efforts on the prevention of sexual abuse among children and adolescents, and providing more mental health support and resources to female adolescents.
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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