Sarah Chamberlain Contributor
Insights into policy and its underlying effect on #women.
According to data from the #WorldHealthOrganization, someone commits #suicide every 40 seconds – 800,000 per year – and for every #suicide, 20 more were attempted. That means 5-7 people will commit #suicide during the time it takes you to read this article.
The CARE humanitarian organization recently issued a report focusing on women’s #mentalhealth, reporting that #women were nearly three times more likely than #men (27% vs. 10%) to report their #mentalhealth had been impacted by the #pandemic, citing issues such as skyrocketing unpaid care burdens and worries about livelihoods, food, and health care. #Women were also nearly twice as likely as #men to report having trouble accessing #healthservices, including access to maternal, sexual, and reproductive health. The report also noted a global rise in exposure to gender-based violence, with part of that due to #COVID-19 lockdowns.
Many of my #female #friends share my concerns about the impact of #COVID on their school-aged #children for reasons ranging from:
· #Socialmedia angst about the election since most of us rarely get off our devices.
· Lack of physical contact with #friends at #school and elsewhere
· Remote-learning challenges, including its impact on their grades and SAT scores as they decide which college they’ll (hopefully) attend next fall – with little ability to visit campuses.
· College #students (particularly freshmen) studying in a converted bedroom or at the dinner table rather than enjoying on-campus activities and interactions.
We are understandably focusing on the importance of wearing masks and #socialdistancing. But as I started doing the research for this column, I was surprised by some different trends:
· Symptoms of #anxiety and depressive disorders have more than tripled among U.S. #adults compared to this time last year – with #women and #Black and #Latinax communities most acutely impacted.
· Calls into crisis hotlines normally decrease by 30% or more over the summer. Many saw increases this year, and a higher proportion came by text from #teens stuck at home and not wanting to reach out with family members around. That reduces the ability to have a dialogue with the #teen. I also saw an article that doctors in Maryland have seen an increase in specifically #African-American suicides during the #pandemic.
· The #U.SCentersforDiseaseControlandPrevention says #suicidalideation is up among younger #adults, while a Canadian study says frequency of cannabis and alcohol use by #teens has risen, with solitary substance use becoming more common.
· #Mentalhealthissues are the leading cause of disability and poor life outcomes in young people aged 10-24 years, contributing up to 45% of the overall burden of disease in this age-group.
· More than a third of youth receiving #mentalhealthservices in the #UnitedStates get them in an academic setting, which means that in many places that service has been disrupted.
· Prescriptions for antidepressants, anti-#anxiety and anti-#insomnia medications shot up 21% between February and March, according to Elemental.
#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
The IMD Exclusion
About one in eight visits to hospital emergency rooms involve a #mentalhealth or substance use condition. Very few of those people end up in beds because of a federal policy called the Institutions for #MentalDisease Exclusion.
The IMD Exclusion was part of the 1965 law that established Medicaid. It prevents the program from funding care for #mentallyill #adults while they live in hospitals or even #adult homes with more than 16 beds. It basically created a #financial incentive for states to kick the #mentallyill out of hospitals. As a result, the country has lost more than 450,000 beds since the 1950s.
#COVID-19 has exacerbated the problem. Reports across the country are bubbling up about the closing of psychiatric beds, according to officials in New York, Illinois, Massachusetts, Texas, and here in Washington, D.C. In some cases, #patients are being discharged even though many still showed signs of psychosis and mania. Those closure are forcing #patients to turn to community organizations that help people outside of hospitals, but they’re struggling to meet that need.
The National Council for Behavior Health reports that in September nearly two-thirds of more than 300 of those community organizations had to cancel, reschedule, or turn away #patients. These issues are rooted in poor reimbursement from insurers including Medicaid and because hospitals are preparing for a surge plan in the event of a second wave of #Covid-19.
Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) and Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-Texas) have led bipartisan efforts to repeal the IMD Exclusion, with support from the White House. Fitzpatrick has said “the IMD exclusion has turned into federally mandate neglect of those suffering from #mentalillness. Repealing the exclusion will remove a major barrier to care for patients and make our communities healthier.” Readers should reach out to their representatives and candidates in your districts to support these efforts.
What Can We Do?
As the single mom of a middle-school #child, I’m often asked by other mothers what we can do to help grow and nurture our #children in this environment when we’re often not even nurturing ourselves. Here are a few thoughts:
· Keep it simple for you and your #child: Get some fresh air one or more times a day, find ways to socialize at a distance or virtually, and take care of yourself through healthy eating, exercise, or sleep. Listen to relaxation recordings. Have conversations with co-workers while taking a walk outside, instead of in front of your computer.
· Control what you can control. Routines can beat back those feelings of uncertainty, including morning alarms, daily showers, and breaks from work and screen…and particularly #socialmedia. Part of this is about being a good role model for our #children. I was also impressed by this editorial from the University of South Carolina student newspaper, where the staff realized it was time for a break after an exhausting semester filled with constant breaking news, the #stress of #COVID-19 and, full-time school.
· Follow your child’s lead. Just listen. Make sure they feel heard. They want to be able to talk about anything with no repercussions. I had a father tell me that his job is to offer solutions or play ‘devil’s advocate.’ That’s not the best approach right now. Ask them what they can control and what they can’t control and let them acknowledge those things out loud. That said, watch for signs of a ore serious issue, including bad moods they can’t seem to bounce back from.
· Pay attention to the narration in your head. Try to avoid agonizing about worst-case scenarios because that can quickly zap your #mental reserves and feed your #anxiety. Work on adjusting your inner monologue to something more patient and accepting. You need to embrace the uncertainty. Getting through this may take longer than we thought, but it’s not forever.
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
