Kevin Bessler | The Center Square
(The Center Square) – The #COVID-19 #pandemic has taken a toll on the #mentalhealth of kids, new research shows #suicideattempts may be on the rise.
According to the #NationalInstituteofMentalHealth, the number of #children going to the emergency room for suspected #suicideattempts has increased, especially for #teenage #girls, who saw a 50% increase in early 2021 compared to 2019.
The #NIMH reports that #suicide is the second leading cause of death among #adolescents and young #adults in the U.S.
Steve Moore with the Illinois chapter of the #AmericanFoundationforSuicidePrevention said remote learning may be a contributing factor.
“The way #schools had to address it with remote learning which really reduces the ability to socialize,” Moore said.
Most #schools were in remote learning mode during the 2020-2021 #school year. Some #school districts remained virtual at the beginning of this #school year.
#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
Gov. J.B. Pritzker and the Illinois #HighSchool Association were sued by the mother of a #suicide victim who believes her son’s death was a “proximate cause” of the state’s restrictions. The suit filed in LaSalle County by Lisa Moore and four other #parents accused Pritzker of canceling or indefinitely delaying #highschool sports and activities while allowing college sports to continue.
An Illinois school safety helpline aimed at giving kids a place to report information that might prevent #suicide or bullying was expanded statewide in October. Available 24/7 at no cost to #schools, Safe2Help Illinois allows #students unable to confide in a trusted #adult to reach out via an app, text, phone or at Safe2HelpIL.com.
Moore said it is important to reach out to someone if you are feeling down.
“People should take advantage of whatever health care, #mentalhealthservices they can, and even within family and friends have an open, honest dialog,” Moore said.
The #suicidepreventionhotlinenumber is 1-800-273-TALK. Beginning in July, the new national number will be 988.
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
