This article was exclusively written for The European Sting by Ms. Abiola Asekun, a medical #student at Sumy State University, Ukraine. She is affiliated with the International Federation of Medical #Students Associations (IFMSA), cordial partner of The Sting. The opinions expressed in this piece belong strictly to the writer and do not necessarily reflect IFMSA’s view on the topic, nor The European Sting’s one.
#Suicide is a major public health problem because of the economic and human cost to individuals, community, and the society at large. It is very tragic because it could have been avoided. #Suicide is relatively rare among #children, but increases greatly during #adolescence. It is the third leading cause of death for 15 to 24 years olds after accidents and homicide according to the #CentersforDiseaseControlandPrevention (#CDC).
The report about #suicide is exceptionally unpleasant, on the grounds that you can’t resist the urge to feel that there is something that might have been finished. The considerations of if by some stroke of good luck; I knew, I had focused harder, I read the admonition signs, could leave an enduring alarm of responsibility. This article will count the admonition indications of #suicide and how we as gatekeepers (guardians, instructors, sofas) can forestall it among #children, #youths and and family.
Reasons for committing #suicide amongst #children and #adolescents
#Children who have psychological disorder, especially #depression, #bipolardisorder, and #alcohol/#drugabuse, chronic pain or illness may result to #suicide.
Also, people who face some sort of discrimination, shame or embarrassment, like; struggling with #genderidentity or sexuality in an unsupportive family or community, refugees and migrants, indigenous peoples, #LGBTI peoples, prisoners.
Emotional traumas like: Physical or sexual abuse, relationship breakup, loss of a family member, divorced #parents and #children living in a house of #domesticviolence.
Warning signs of #suicide in #children and #adolescents
Most #children and #teenagers have days when they might be pitiful or irate at the world. However, there are a few signs they really wanted to get proficient assistance with, like; past self-destructive endeavors, self-destructive dangers, distraction or fixation on death, pulling away from loved ones, participating in hazard taking practices, losing revenue in everyday schedule, and many others.
Possible recommendations to prevent #suicide
Everyone has a role to play in the prevention of #suicide, as long as we can do the following;
Knowing the warning signs: four out of every five #suicide deaths are preceded by warning signs. Knowing this can help us provide adequate support.
Limiting access to means of #suicide: removing guns from the house, pesticides and certain medications.
Improving access to #mentalhealthresources; like hiring a #therapist, include medical interventions and support groups, effective clinical care for #mentaldisorders and family and community support. Helping teens cope with loss.
Guardians ought to likewise keep great correspondence with their #children so they can realize when something isn’t right and attempt to get what circumstance their youngsters are going through to give assistance. Also they should continuously view self-destructive propensities in a serious way and react right away. Finally, they should also guarantee their #children that there is trust. and always try not to attempt to fix the issue, rather get proficient assistance.
#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
References
- Cammarata, Christina M., ed. “About #Teen #Suicide (for #Parents) – Nemours Kidshealth.” KidsHealth. The Nemours Foundation, October 2020. https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/suicide.html.
- AMERICA’S HEALTH RANKINGS. “Explore #Teen #Suicide in the #UnitedStates | 2021 Health of …” Health of #Women and #Children. Accessed October 25, 2021. https://www.americashealthrankings.org/explore/health-of-women-and-children/measure/teen_suicide/state/ALL.
- WHO. “#Suicide.” #WorldHealthOrganization. #WorldHealthOrganization. Accessed October 25, 2021. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/suicide.
- M;, Pelkonen M;Marttunen. “#Child and #Adolescent #Suicide: Epidemiology, Risk Factors, and Approaches to Prevention.” Paediatric drugs. U.S. National Library of Medicine. Accessed October 25, 2021. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12662120/.
About the author
A medical #student at Sumy State University, Ukraine. Dependable, ready to learn, aspiring to specialize and seize new opportunities, looking to improve current medical skills by studying the analytical parts of medicine.
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
