#JamesDonaldson On #MentalHealth – Study: 1 In 3 #Teens Reported Poor #MentalHealth During #Pandemic

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(NEW YORK) — The #pandemic has taken a toll on all Americans’ #mentalhealth, but now, a new study from the #CentersforDiseaseControlandPrevention reports that more than 1 in 3 #highschool #teens dealt with poor #mentalhealth during the #pandemic, and 1 in 5 reported considering #suicide.

“Our study examined how recent #adversechildhoodexperiences, or #ACEs, are contributing to poor #mentalhealth and #suicidalbehaviors among #adolescents,” said Dr. Kayla Anderson, senior study author and expert with #NationalCenterforInjuryandPreventionControl.

Over 4,000 #teens participated in a 100-question online survey. Nearly 3 in 4 #teens reported at least one adverse #childhood experience — such as #bullying, loss of a #parent or violence — during the #pandemic.

Prior research has established a link between adverse #childhood experiences and an increased risk of chronic health conditions, changes in #behavior, #depression, #anxiety and #suicidalbehaviors.

Researchers asked #teens if they had experienced electronic #bullying, #teen dating violence, #caregiver loss, food insecurity, sexual violence or emotional abuse during the #pandemic.

#Students who said they had experienced one or two of these events were twice as likely to report poor #mentalhealth and three to six times as likely to report suicidal #behaviors. Meanwhile, #students who reported experiencing four or more of these negative experiences were 25 times more likely to report a #suicideattempt.

Experts said the changes in teen’s #mentalhealth may be related to stressors from the #pandemic.

“With #COVID-related threats to health, events in the news, and the accessibility of information online, it’s hard to insulate yourself from the #stress, and has been even harder to find stability, support and connection — which is what teens need most at this stage of their lives,” said Dr. Neha Chaudhary, chief medical officer at BeMe Health and #child and #adolescent #psychiatrist at Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical #School.

Because #suicide has been the second-most common cause of death among those ages 10 to 14, #mentalhealthprofessionals say more research is needed to address the influence the #pandemic has had on #mentalhealth in this vulnerable population.

#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

 

Ways to help boost teens’ #mentalhealth

#Adults can help #teens and #children by creating safe environments free of #bullying, online harassment and violence, according to #mentalhealthexperts.

“#Teen #mentalhealth has become a public health emergency, and it’s time we started taking real, actionable steps to do something about it,” said Chaudhary.

According to experts, anyone can be an advocate for #adolescent #mentalhealth.

“We must connect struggling #adolescents to timely, effective care. Young people need all of the support we can give them,” Anderson said.

If you are experiencing suicidal, #substanceuse or other #mentalhealthcrises, please call or text the #988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. You will reach a trained crisis #counselor for free, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You can also go to 988lifeline.org.