Tri-Area Community Health Services Behavioral Health Director Dr. Joshua Bradley shares with Parent Connect participants at Carroll County Middle School his insights on adolescent #suicideprevention. He said giving hope is critical and people don’t have to be a psychologist, a counselor, physician or nurse practitioner to prevent #suicide. – David Broyles | The Carroll News
Tri-Area Community Health Services Behavioral Health Clinical Psychologist Dr. Anna Vandevender-Wright talked about how important it is for teachers and parents to know the baseline behavior of their child or your student. Wright told participants asking if someone is suicidal shows you care and want to help and is critical to assessing the risk of #suicide or harm. – David Broyles | The Carroll News
One of the many important messages shared during a Parent-Connect workshop held on November 19 at Carroll County Middle School was sometimes adolescents need us to listen to understand before we get them resources they need. This is critical because help creates hope.
Tri-Area Community Health Services Behavioral Health Director Dr. Joshua Bradley and Clinical Psychologist Dr. Anna Vandevender-Wright were the keynote speakers for the evening, which first focused on #suicideprevention. #Suicide among ages 10 to 34 is the second-leading cause of death in the United States.
“I want to start with a personal story of why this is important to me….My grandfather suicided so I never got to know him. That impacted my life before I was really around,” began Bradley. “I didn’t find this out until I was an adolescent when my parents shared that with me. When I was 16 years old, my uncle suicided and he struggled with bi-polar disorder and substance abuse for many years. I share this because it’s an important topic to me.”
Bradley said if someone has hope they are less likely to attempt #suicide and when hopelessness increases or they can’t see past that moment or the possibility for better things in the future, that’s when #suicide rates and chance of an attempt increases.
“You don’t have to be a psychologist or a counselor or a physician or a nurse practitioner to make a difference and to prevent #suicide,” Bradley said. “Here in Carroll County, just like most of the counties in Southwest Virginia…we have very few resources when it comes to #mentalhealth providers.”
The two work at Community Health in Laurel Fork. Community Health Services in Floyd also has licensed psychologists and licensed clinical social workers. (Patients would have to be established in either of the practices and be seeing a medical provider there to see them because of the firms’ integrated care approach for holistic care. )
Bradley said talking about #suicide will not cause someone to consider #suicide and most suicides do not occur suddenly without warning. He said people who think about #suicide are not insane.
“It is something most people at some point in their life will cross their mind. How far it goes and how seriously they consider that is a different variation and has a whole host of other factors that contribute to that,” Bradley said. “It is a myth that once a person thinks of #suicide they will always think of it. These moments pass. Especially if it is something stressing in the moment but then improves.”
He said it is a myth that people who threaten #suicide are just seeking attention and any report of seeking #suicide should be taken seriously because if a person is talking about this, it indicates something wrong and deserves attention. He said studies indicate the more adverse experiences (risk factors) an individual has in their first 18 years of life, the greater chance it leads to chronic health problems. Among risk factors for adolescents is the experience of loss, rejection, physical or sexual violence or witnessing violence.
“To them (adolescents), a relationship may feel like the most important one they have. Their brains are still developing and will be up into their early- to mid-twenties. It’s hard for them to see and understand that. Even though we might see it in one way they might see it quite differently. What we do in this situation is join with them. Not say it will be alright. To them they feel like we don’t get it. We don’t understand,” Bradley said. “Really try to be there…listen to them…try to join with them in whatever they are saying. That’s one of the most important things we can do. There’s been many a country song written about sometimes you just need to listen and not fix it. Sometimes you just have to be there.”
#JamesDonaldson 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
Wright introduced participants to the “ALGEE” approach and signs and “conversation starters” for adults to pay attention to, which may be indicators of suicidal thoughts. ALGEE stands for Assess the risk, Listen nonjudgmentally, Give reassurance, Encourage appropriate professional help and Encourage self-help and support strategies. (These steps don’t have to go in an exact order so proceed in the order which makes sense for a given situation.)
“Know the baseline of your kid or your student. Noticing if there is any particular change in their behavior or performance in school or work,” said Wright. “One thing, which an unusual thing to pick up on, is if you have a child or adolescent complaining of physical concerns and there is not a clear cause sometimes that can be a sign something is going on which is more emotional. There could be something underneath that stomach ache or headache as well.”
Wright told participants asking if someone is suicidal shows you care and want to help and is critical to assessing the risk of #suicide or harm. If you think the person is in danger because they have a plan and are ready to carry it out, call 911 and keep them safe by staying with them or finding someone who can until help arrives.
“Researching ways to end one’s life is something to be on the lookout for in kids and adults. Kids making statements about you’re not going to miss me when I’m gone….I won’t bother you any more when I’m gone. Those are big statements for a young person to make. Being able to check that out and see what’s contributing to that is really important.”
The #NationalSuicidePreventionLifeline is available 24/7 by calling 1-800-273-8255. Locally, Mt. Rogers Community Service Board offers a crisis hotline that provides 24/7 empathy and support at 866-589-0265. Tri-Area’s clinic in Laurel Fork can be reached at 276-398-2292.
“It there are thoughts of #suicide….no plan and no intent or even a plan but no attempt to act on it…that’s a different ballgame. What I mean by listening nonjudgmentally is it is not a time to debate philosophies on life or politics. It’s about being there with that person. Hearing what’s going on…trying to understand what that person is going through, even if it doesn’t make sense with your world view,” Wright said. “It’s being a human being with them. Trying to understand what’s going on. Remind them things can get better. We all have days where we aren’t having the most fun in our lives. Those can pass if we support each other and help each other get through that.”
David Broyles may be reached at 276-779-4013 or on Twitter@CarrollNewsDave
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
