#MentalHealth #America reports #anxiety and #depression rates hit an all-time high in September. But those rates are hitting our most vulnerable, harder.
#MentalHealth #America: Suicidal thoughts increasing in #youth during #pandemic
Author: Allison Bazzle
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — There is no question #COVID-19 has had a big impact on our lives.
A report released by #MentalHealth #America this week shows #anxiety and #depression rates hit an all-time high in September.
Almost two million people filled out #MentalHealth #America’s online #anxiety and #depression screens between January and September.
The questions ask how often someone feels depressed, or has thoughts of self-harm. Based on their results, the nonprofit reports #young people are hurting the most during the #pandemic.
#MentalHealth #America said suicidal thoughts are hitting kids the hardest. More than 100,000 people between the ages of 11 and 17, who took the survey, reported frequent thoughts of #suicide.
#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
It’s happening right here in Hampton Roads.
Supervisor of Child and #BehavioralHealth for the city of Virginia Beach, John Paradiso, said their services are in high demand.
“There is an increase of #hopelessness, feelings of helplessness,” Paradiso said. “Families are really struggling. We are definitely seeing heightened #anxiety and a more depressed mood.”
The department’s new patient requests for service doubled in July, August and September, compared to 2019.
Coordinator of counseling services for Virginia Beach Public #Schools, Robert Jamison, said that while staff haven’t seen a spike in suicidal thoughts, #students are having trouble coping with the unknown.
“How long is this going to last, is this the new normal, what is it I can do to help myself,” Jamison said. “We are getting a lot of those questions.”
His team is responding by ramping up outreach.
“Checking in with #students daily, whether virtually or face to face,” Jamison said. “In the event they are not reaching out to us, we are doing as much as we can to let them know we are here for them.”
Jamison said the community must battle #mentalhealthissues, together.
“Those in Chesapeake can help those in Virginia Beach, Newport News, Hampton,” Jamison said. “Any kind of resource that is out there, we need to be communicating with one another.”
Jamison said he encourages #parents to reach out with any questions and concerns, no matter how big or small.
The Virginia Beach Community Services Board and other cities offer 24-hour emergency services call lines, including an informational warm line for any questions or concerns.
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
