#JamesDonaldson On #MentalHealth – ‘#Kids Are Not Alright,’ Say Authors Of Study On Rise In #Pediatric #SuicideAttempts During #Pandemic

The team’s earlier study found that #depression and #anxiety symptoms had doubled in #children and #adolescents during the first year of the #pandemic.

Elizabeth Payne

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#Emergencyroom visits by #children and #adolescents who had attempted #suicide rose sharply during the #COVID-19 #pandemic, according to new research reflecting what children’s hospitals in Ottawa and elsewhere have been experiencing.

#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

www.celebratingyourgiftoflife.com

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The global study, led out of the University of Calgary and co-authored by researchers at the University of Ottawa and CHEO, among others, found that, even as overall #pediatric emergency department demand plummeted early in the #pandemic, visits for #suicideattempts and #suicidalideation jumped steeply.

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From the beginning of the #pandemic until July 2021, #pediatric emergency visits for #suicideattempts by #children and #youth rose by 22 per cent compared to rates before the #pandemic. There was also an eight-per-cent increase in emergency department visits by #children or #youth experiencing #suicideideation.

The study was published Thursday in the journal Lancet Psychiatry.

The research, based on more than 11 million #pediatric emergency department visits across 18 countries, follows earlier work by the researchers that found an increase in #depression and #anxiety symptoms among #children and #youth globally at the beginning of the #pandemic.

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“This new study further demonstrates that the #kids have not been alright during the #pandemic, with increased presentation to the emergency department for serious concerns,” said Dr. Nicole Racine, a clinical #psychologist and chair in #child and #youth #mentalhealth at CHEO and co-author of the research.

The team’s earlier study found that #depression and #anxiety symptoms had doubled in #children and #adolescents during the first year of the #pandemic.

Co-author Dr. Tracy Vaillancourt, Canada Research Chair for #school-based #mentalhealth and violence prevention at uOttawa, said the latest findings highlighted the fact that the #pandemic was particularly difficult for young people experiencing #mentalhealthproblems.

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Lead author Dr. Sheri Madigan from the University of Calgary said the research highlighted the need for better #mentalhealth supports for #children and #youth. She said the earlier research underlined the fact that “#kids were in crisis, and that we needed to bolster services and resources, or it was going to get worse.

“There’s been a debate during the #pandemic as to whether the #kids are alright or not alright. Now that more data have been published and analyzed, we can more precisely answer that question. The #kids are, in fact, not alright,” Madigan said.

Madigan called for #mentalhealthresources, supports and services to be prioritized “to help #children shift from languishing to flourishing,”

The research findings reflect the experience at CHEO in Ottawa, where emergency room visits for #suicidalideation and #self-harm increased early in the #pandemic and the surge in emergency visits for #mentalhealthissues has continued. Even as the number of #children and #youth coming to the emergency department for viral illnesses began to decrease at the beginning of 2023, after an unprecedented surge, demand for #mentalhealth treatment remained high and continues, spokesperson Patrick Moore said.

“The #mentalhealth surge just keeps on going.”

#Youth Services Ottawa operates a 24-hour crisis line at 613 260-2360. More information is available at: ottawapublichealth.ca/en/public-health-topics/#suicideprevention.aspx

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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:

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