NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — Talking about suicide, specifically when it’s your teenager, is not something that is easy, which I found out quickly when trying to find people to talk to about it. No one was willing to talk to me about their experience, even anonymously.
It can have a lot of stigma around it, as Dr. Alex Bettis, Assistant Professor of Psychology and Behavioral Sciences at Vanderbilt, explains.
“I think when we think about suicide it can be this really scary topic with teens,” she said. “It can be uncomfortable for people to talk about the fact that a kid might think about killing themselves or hurting themselves in some way.”
But for years, it has been an increasing struggle.
Since 2017, the number of Tennessee high schoolers who considered attempting or actually attempted suicide has only gone up, according to the State of the Child report from 2023.
In 2017, 8.3% of high school students reported attempting suicide. In 2021, the number rose to 13.4%. In 2023, 78% of mental health treatment facilities served teenagers ages 13 to 17.
Where is this increase coming from?
Bettis offered three possibilities, based on research and on her experience with teens. Stress, added stress from the digital world, and an increase in teenagers who are willing to speak up about their experiences with mental health.
Navigating everyday pressures — school, relationships, friendships, parents, caregivers — can make teens more vulnerable to anxiety and depression, Bettis said. Sometimes, when a teenager has a stressful encounter with another person, there is a bigger risk for suicidal thoughts afterwards.
And the digital world may be enhancing these stressful interactions, Bettis thinks.
“Maybe you have a kid who is getting bullied in person at school, but then they go home and they might not really get a break from that, because they are also getting bullied online. Kids can’t quite disconnect from some of those interpersonal things as easily as we could in my generation,” she said.
Though there are no statistics behind it, Bettis thinks another possible reason for why there is an increase is just that more kids are willing to talk about their experiences. She credits them with a lot of bravery for being so open about mental health.
“I think young people are the ones who are leading the charge. I think they are fearless in talking about mental health, and I think that’s such a shift. It’s really wonderful to see a generation of kids who want to prioritize mental health,” she said.
If you have struggled with mental health and want to share your story, I want to hear from you. Please email me at hannah.urban@newschannel5.com
#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
What can we learn from the teenagers Bettis works with?
“Every time I meet with a kid, there is always something you can connect on. Even in the midst of being in the hospital, a really horribly scary time, they also have a sense of humor, they’re making jokes… remembering that human piece of things, that people are much more than a mental health diagnosis — that’s really a good grounding reminder.”
Bettis works with psychiatrically hospitalized kids and kids who are in partial hospitalization programs. Meaning, kids who are admitted to inpatient services because of concerns that they have done something to hurt themselves, or kids aren’t able to go to school because mental health is getting in the way of day-to-day tasks.
She sees a lot of teenagers who are in deep pain, and says what they often want adults to understand is that they just want it to go away.
“They are hurting, and what happens is this thought about escaping becomes a solution in their mind. What they want is for the pain to end, what they want is to feel better,” she said. “I think remembering that in the thick of all the heavy stuff these are just kids and they are doing the best they can… and that It’s our job as the adults in the picture and the providers in the picture to really show up and support them and show that we care.”
Resources available
For parents who feel like their child may be experiencing suicidal thoughts, there are several resources to help understand how to talk about it or bring it up. Bettis shared a list with me.
International Association for Suicide Prevention: helpful crisis resources and some tips on how to support someone in crisis — https://www.iasp.info/suicidalthoughts
There is a 988 suicide crisis hotline that is available 24/7 to anyone who needs help, as well as a crisis text line where all you have to do is text HOME to 741741 to connect with a volunteer crisis counselor.
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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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