By Landon Gray
The #mentalhealthcrisis among America’s #highschool #students significantly worsened during the #COVID-19 #pandemic, according to a new report from the #CDC.
Data from the 2021 #Adolescent #Behaviors and Experiences Survey, an online private survey of #students in grades 9 through 12, provided troublesome insight into the #mentalhealth of young people. The survey documented more than 37% of #students experienced poor #mentalhealth during the #pandemic, 44% experienced persistent feelings of sadness or #hopelessness during the 12 months before the survey, and nearly 20% seriously considered a #suicideattempt and 9% had attempted #suicide.
“#Youth are in crisis,” said Kathleen Ethier, PhD, the director of the CDC’s Division of #Adolescent and #School Health. Based on the survey findings, some demographics showed higher risk for #mentalhealthissues compared with others; #females, #LGBTQ and sexually questioning #students were disproportionally affected.
“Seventy-four percent of #lesbian, #gay, #bisexual #youth and 63% of #female #youth reported emotional abuse in the home. And 26% of #lesbian, #gay, #bisexual #youth and 12% of #female #youth attempted #suicide—-both at much higher levels than #heterosexual #students and #male #students,” she said.
Dr. Ethier said although there was not a #genderidentity question on this particular survey, past data show that “transgendered young people experience greater levels of violence, more #stigma and are more likely to have #mentalhealthproblems and #suicidalthoughts and #behaviors than their peers, so we would expect to see potentially more extreme outcomes for #transgendered #youth.”
This was the first time the #CDC had surveyed and asked #students whether they had ever experienced #racism at #school, before or during the #pandemic. They found that one-third of #students had been discriminated against; the highest reported instances came from #Asian, #Black and #multiracial #students. The #CDC declared #racism as a serious public threat. The data showed that #students who experienced #racism at #school were more likely to report poor #mentalhealth than #students who have not.
#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,
#CelebratingYourGiftofLife:
From The Verge of Suicide to a Life of Purpose and Joy
“The worsening #mentalhealth of #youth was a growing public health issue even before #America had ever heard of #COVID-19. Data from high #schools across the country already signaled the problem, with more #students saying they felt sad and hopeless, and more #students attempting #suicide in the decade prior to the #pandemic,” Jonathan Mermin, MD, MPH, the director of the CDC’s National Center for HIV, Viral Hepatitis, #STD, and TB Prevention, said during a #CDC news briefing. The #CDC also reported that #mentalhealthproblems and risky #behaviors, such as drug use and risky sexual #behaviors, can last into adulthood.
The #CDC said past and present data only highlight the importance of #schools in mitigating the impact of the #pandemic. They said decades of research show that all #students who feel safe, protected and connected in #school were less likely to experience poor #mentalhealth.
“The #CDC’s What Works in #Schools program incorporates specific strategies that #schools can use to help all #students feel safer and more supported. Improving the health of #LGBTQ #students is an essential component of that work,” Dr. Ethier said.
“#School policies and practices designed to support #LGBTQ #youth lead to improvements in #mentalhealth and #suicide-related #behaviors. When #schools are left toxic for #youth at increased risk for severe outcomes, #schools are left toxic for everyone.”
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
