The #pandemic took a harsh toll on U.S. #teen #girls’ #mentalhealth, with almost 60% reporting feelings of persistent sadness or #hopelessness, according to a government survey released in mid-February that bolsters earlier data.
#Sexualviolence, #suicidalthoughts, #suicidalbehavior and other #mentalhealth woes affected many #teens regardless of race or ethnicity, but #girls and #LGBTQ #youth fared the worst on most measures, according to the #CentersforDiseaseControlandPrevention report. More than 17,000 U.S. #highschoolstudents were surveyed in class in the fall of 2021.
In 30 years of collecting similar data, “we’ve never seen this kind of devastating, consistent findings,” said Kathleen Ethier, director of #CDC’s #adolescent and #school health division. “There’s no question young people are telling us they are in crisis. The data really call on us to act.”
#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
Among #girls, 30% said they seriously considered attempting #suicide, double the rate among #boys and up almost 60% from a decade ago.
Almost 20% of #girls reported experiencing #rape or other #sexualviolence in the previous year, also an increase over previous years.
Almost half of #LGBTQ #students said they had seriously considered a #suicideattempt.
More than a quarter of #AmericanIndians and Alaska Natives said they had seriously considered a #suicideattempt, higher than other races and #ethnicities.
Feelings of persistent sadness and #hopelessness affected more than one-third of #kids of all races and #ethnicities and increased over previous years.
Recent poor #mentalhealth was reported by half of #LGBTQ #kids and almost one-third of #AmericanIndian and Alaska Native #youth.
The results echo previous surveys and reports and many of the trends began before the #pandemic. But #isolation, online schooling and increased reliance on #socialmedia during the #pandemic made things worse for many #kids, #mentalhealthexperts say.
The results “reflect so many decades of neglect towards #mentalhealth, for #kids in particular,” said Mitch Prinstein, the #AmericanPsychologicalAssociation’s chief science officer. “#Suicide has been the second- or third-leading cause of death for young people between 10 and 24 years for decades now,” and attempts are typically more common in #girls, he said.
Prinstein noted that #anxiety and #depression tend to be more common in #teen #girls than #boys, and #pandemic #isolation may have exacerbated that.
Comprehensive reform in how society manages #mentalhealth is needed, Prinstein said. In #schools, #kids should be taught ways to manage #stress and strife, just as they are taught about exercise for physical disease prevention, he said.
In low-income areas, where adverse #childhood experiences were high before the #pandemic, the crisis has been compounded by a shortage of #school staff and #mentalhealthprofessionals, experts say.
#School districts around the country have used federal #pandemic money to hire more #mentalhealthspecialists, if they can find them, but say they are stretched thin and that #students who need expert care outside of #school often can’t get it because #therapists are overburdened and have long waitlists.
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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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