#JamesDonaldson On #MentalHealth – #Black #Youth Attempt #Suicide More Than Other #Racial Groups, Expert Says Don’t Ignore Them

By Teran Powell

#Mentalhealthexperts are concerned about upward trends in #suicide among #Black #youth.

Studies show they’re attempting #suicide more often than all other #racial and #ethnic groups – and the #suicide death rate is rising at a faster pace.

A number of things can contribute to the increased risk. One is the presence of a #psychiatricdisorder. Others include socioeconomic factors, #racism, #trauma and being the victim of #bullying.

Experts say increasing access to treatment and highlighting protective measures—such as a young person having a strong support system—are ways to help reduce the risk.

#Black #youth #suicide in the #UnitedStates has been labeled a crisis by some #mentalhealthexperts. Research shows that #Black #youth under 13 are twice as likely to die by #suicide.

#Suicideattempts among #Black #adolescents rose by 73% between 1991-2017.

Experts continue to study the how and why behind the increases. But Dr. Rhonda Boyd says one reason could be generational shifts.

“One of the things that may be different than other generations is that #youth are able to see #racist events over and over and over again everywhere they go. And we do have evidence that shows that there’s links between increased #depression symptoms and #posttraumaticstress symptoms when #kids are exposed to #racism,” says Boyd, an Associate Professor & #Psychologist at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.

Boyd adds that the underutilization of #mentalhealthservices could be playing a role in #Black #youth #suicide as well.

There is #stigma associated with accessing treatment. And the American Academy of #Child & #Adolescent Psychology says #mentalhealth and #substanceuse problems in #Black #youth are often unrecognized, undertreated and misdiagnosed. The reasons include bias, discrimination, and structural #racism.

The Academy also says #Black #youth are also more likely to get poor quality care and less likely to receive follow up treatment.

“We probably have a perception of who’s at risk for killing themselves and it looks different. And so, we want people to not ignore #Black #youth and think, oh, it’s a phase, or see #behaviors and put them into disciplinary environments or the legal system and know that they need #mentalhealthtreatment,” Boyd says.

#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

Tarsha Wiggins, founder of Speak Wellness #BehavioralHealth Consulting, has created a space in Milwaukee for young people who may have difficulties with their #mentalhealth.

Earlier this year, she started Youth Trap Therapy sessions at the Sherman Phoenix on West Fond Du Lac Avenue. Wiggins defines Trap Therapy as taking Hip-Hop music and pairing it with conversations about emotional wellness.

Here she is during a #Youth Trap Therapy session focused on #suicideprevention and awareness.

Wiggins says she finds the rate of increase in #suicide completion among #Black #youth to be shocking. So, it resonates with her that spaces must be created where #youth can have culturally relevant conversations without #stigma.

“There are conversations occurring, but they’re occurring with this negative connotation layered. With that #stigma like you may talk about it but it’s such in a way that’s shameful that anyone in the room that may be experiencing #suicidalthoughts or maybe just experiencing emotional dysregulation, they don’t feel comfortable in saying yes, I need help or yes, I’m struggling with something because of the tone around the conversation,” says Wiggins.

Wiggins says it takes collaboration from everyone— families, businesses, grassroots organizations and others—to improve outcomes for young people.

Dr. Steven Dykstra says, young people in Milwaukee County face #trauma daily.

“It isn’t just the #trauma of seeing someone shot or seeing someone beaten up or being beaten up or shot yourself it’s the burden the stress the #trauma that follows that when you’re worried about it now every day,” says Dykstra, a #psychologist with the Children’s Community Mental Health Services & Wraparound Milwaukee.

Collaboration is a big part of Wraparound programs.

Families have a say in every aspect of their care, from specialties to cultural needs, and are assigned a care coordinator who works alongside them for support.

Next time, we’ll talk more about how Wraparound services seek to build on the strengths of individuals and their networks to create stable and sustainable plans for the families they serve.