#Mentalhealthexperts and public health officials say they are concerned about the #pandemic’s effect on #mentalhealth; indeed, #CDC research indicates more than a quarter of #young adults have considered committing #suicide.
Rutherford County Commissioner Craig Harris, who has made the opioid epidemic and #mentalhealth a priority in his public service, said he is concerned about the county’s #suicide rate.
“I feel like #COVID is definitely attributable,” Harris said. “Any time you isolate someone who’s battling addiction, it’s a dangerous thing. Idle time is one of the worst things that can happen to an addict.”
Tyler Bowman, business development director at Tulip Hill Recovery, which helps treat addictions, said he also worries about the #pandemic’s effects on suicides. The #pandemic had led to a decrease in people seeking help for addiction, and now overdoses are increasing and people are seeking help for addiction, he said.
Many people coming for help had never had substance abuse issues before the #pandemic, he said.
He also said he is afraid that #mentalhealthissues are getting forgotten in the state of concern over the #coronavirus.
#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 #U.S.CentersforDiseaseControlandPrevention recently released a report on the status of #Americans’ #mentalhealth based on a survey of 5,470 adults. The survey is titled, “#MentalHealth, Substance Use, and #SuicidalIdeation During the #COVID-19 #Pandemic – United States, June 24-30, 2020.”
It found 40.9 percent reported at least having one adverse mental or behavioral health condition, such as: symptoms of #anxiety disorder or depressive disorder (30.9 percent), symptoms of a trauma-related disorder (26.3 percent), and having started or increased substance use (13.3 percent).
The #CDC found that 10.7 percent of adults had seriously considered #suicide in the prior 30 days, and the figure for adults ages 18-24 was even higher — 25.5 percent. Ethnic results for #suicideideation included #Hispanic, 18.6 percent; and #Blacks, 15.1 percent. Unpaid caregivers for adults reported a rate of 30.7 percent. Essential workers, meanwhile, reported a rate of 21.7 percent.
The Jason Foundation
Brett Marciel is director of business development and public relations for The Jason Foundation Inc. The Hendersonville-based foundation combats youth suicides.
It’s too soon to have data about suicides during the #pandemic period, Marciel said, because it takes time for the foundation to get its statistics; the latest information from the #CDC is from 2018. Getting the relevant data could take a year.
“But with that said, many experts we talk to really push it out there that there will be a problem with #mentalhealth in the coming future,” he said.
That’s because of #isolation and that it is harder to access healthcare services, Marciel said. Historically, suicides increase when the unemployment rate increases.
“It’s not something we can see now, but you’re less able to rely on your social network when you’re not seeing anybody day-to-day,” he said. “Anytime you take somebody who may have a #mentalillness … the #isolation, the lack of connectedness can exacerbate the problems.”
Marciel pointed to an April CNN report quoting the Substance Abuse and #MentalHealthServices Administration, which said call volumes to its Disaster Distress Helpline increased 338 percent versus February. March year-to-year calls increased 891 percent.
The Tennessee #SuicidePrevention Network website (tspn.org) provides a number of warning signs of possible #suicideideation, including but not limited to:
- · Talking about #suicide, death, and/or no reason to live
- · Preoccupation with death and dying
- · Withdrawal from friends and/or social activities
- · Experience of a recent severe loss (especially a relationship) or the threat of a significant loss
- · Experience or fear of a situation of humiliation of failure
- · Drastic changes in behavior
- · Loss of interest in hobbies, work, school, etc.
- · Preparation for death by making out a will (unexpectedly) and final arrangements
- · Giving away prized possessions
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
