Data found the number of #mentalhealth–related emergency visits among #adolescents 12-17 years old has increased 31% since 2019.
TOLEDO, Ohio — Beyond Healthcare has only been in operation for seven months and has already treated 150 clients ranging 6 to 17 years old.
CEO Lisa Richardson said they’ve worked hard to build an inclusive safe space for this growing group struggling with #mentalhealth.
“We’ve seen increases in emergency room visits for kids as young as 6 that are really struggling with #mentalhealth,” Richardson said.
RELATED: Clyde native travels across the country to promote recovery, #mentalhealth
#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
She said once the child has left the ER, hospital or in-patient facility, together with their families, they’ll start #mentalhealthtreatment. Richardson noted they offer a range of therapies that help the whole family.
The goal is to help guide the family back into a mentally safe space for the #child and themselves.
This is especially important with the extreme changes and strains that the #COVID-19 #pandemic created. Some #children not able to attend #school and with the holiday season in full swing, not all family traditions can be hosted.
It’s a lot of strain on a young mind.
“The holidays are not just a time where #adults may struggle,” Richardson said. “Kids can struggle too. A lot of the traditions they’re used to have been lost as a result of #COVID. We really want #children to feel welcome and supported in our environment.”
That causes Lucas County #SuicidePrevention Coalition Director Jennifer Wakefield to pause since the number of suicides are up, according to the #CDC. Data found the number of #mentalhealth–related emergency visits among #adolescents, 12–17 years old has increased 31% compared to the same time in 2019.
RELATED: ‘988’ #suicidepreventionhotline must include texting option, FCC says
Wakefield said she is happy because in the last four years, the coalition has been able to meet with more #teens and #adolescents in 50 #schools, when they first were only allowed to be in seven #schools. She said this growth in accepting help talking about #mentalhealth only helps erase the myth that talking about #suicide with #teens leads them to #suicide.
“Instead of it causing it or making it more prevalent, it’s quite the opposite,” Wakefield said. “It really does open the dialogue and the ability to have this really important conversation.”
She noted many of the local #mentalhealth facilities do focus on #adults, but they can help younger #children too. But Wakefield explained that she likes how Beyond Healthcare focuses their efforts on #children and #teens along with their family members.https://www.youtube.com/embed/qcgs7EpEzv8?rel=0
“I would say [to #parents] #mentalhealthissues are no one’s fault,” Richardson said.
She added that it’s important to make the family understand that issues with #mentalhealth aren’t just environmental or genetic, or one specific thing. But it’s best to talk about it and come up with a plan.
Wakefield said even during the #pandemic, she’s been able to safely meet with #students to help them talk out their problems.
“I’ve talked to a little over 16,000 #students in person,” Wakefield said. “The kids need it. The #parents are going to learn that they’re going to need it as well as they navigate encouraging their kids to have a healthy mind.”
Many of the services offered at Lucas County #SuicidePrevention Coalition are at little to no cost, so reaching out for help shouldn’t be a problem. Click here for help.
Beyond Healthcare accepts most insurances and works with hospitals, #schools, therapists and other community programs that deal with #mentalhealth. If you need assistance and would like to know more, click here.
A #mentalhealth resource fair, open to the public, will be held Tuesday at Southview High School from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. There will be two 30-minute sessions for #parents and two 30-minute sessions for educators. #Children that attend the fair will be entered into drawings for gift cards.
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
