#China has seen an increase in #suicides among young people in recent years, prompting researchers to call for a special program to help them deal with academic pressure.
The number of #children aged five to 14 that died by #suicide jumped nearly 10% annually from 2010 to 2021, according to a recent study from the #Chinese #CenterforDiseaseControlandPrevention. The figure for people aged 15 to 24 fell 7% through 2017 then posted a nearly 20% increase the next four years.
The increase is small in absolute numbers yet it contrasts with a decline of 5.3% annually in the 2010-2021 period among all age groups in the country, a drop the researchers said was due to a nationwide #mentalhealthprogram.
They said that #children and #adolescents have faced severe #mentaldisorders and elevated #suiciderisks from intense competition to do well at #school. Half of people suffering from #depressivedisorder in #China are #students, according to a 2022 national survey.
The researchers called on the government to prioritize developing programs targeting #children and #adolescents that adopt best practices from abroad and allow for the early identification of #suicidalbehavior.
Young people in #China have long engaged in fierce competition to get ahead in #school and get good jobs upon graduation. Three years of the #Covid-19 #pandemic — which in #China meant snap lockdowns, including many imposed on #college campuses — and record #youth unemployment have also piled pressure on #youth.
Earlier this year, the apparent #suicide of a boarding #school #student named Hu Xinyu gained widespread attention in #China, both because the 15-year-old boy had expressed concern beforehand about his grades and how the #police handled their investigation.
Also, many people took to #Chinese #socialmedia Thursday to express sadness over the death of #HongKong-born singer and songwriter #CocoLee. The 48-year-old had been suffering from #depression for several years, her sisters said in a statement posted on #Facebook.
One person wrote on Weibo that “Coco’s passing is also a wake-up call for us to take our #mentalhealth seriously.”
#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
In 2021, #Beijing unveiled a sweeping overhaul of its education tech sector, banning companies that teach the #school curriculum from making profits. Many #parents complained that pressure to engage private tutors caused excessive #anxiety at home.
The researchers at the #CenterforDiseaseControl&Prevention also warned that the widespread belief among #parents and #teachers that getting good scores trumps anything else risks obscuring #mentalhealthissues plaguing #children.
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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