#Teen chats reveal lack of connection and loneliness are what contributes to #mentalillness and #suicide, despite #socialmedia
By Andrea Berryman Childreth, #MentalHealthAdvocate and Parent Coach at The Lemonade Project/On The Edge: Help and hope for parenting children with mental illness.
On a chilly evening, 15 teenagers sat in a circle in a cozy living room, a little anxious and not quite sure what to expect from an invitation from local moms to chat about teen #mentalillness and #suicide.
These courageous teen leaders participated because they recognize an unspoken feeling that #anxiety, #depression and #suicide are on the rise in their schools and community. And, they’re right – #depression and #teen #suicide are up over 50% during the past decade. What these young people spoke about that night was powerful and eye-opening.
The moms’ objective of the gathering was simple – to let the community’s youth give their input and perspective on #mentalhealth and #teen #suicide and provide suggestions for change. Five questions were asked:
- What did they believe were the contributing factors to teen #depression and #suicide?
- Who is most at risk?
- What is being done right?
- What is being done wrong?
- What could adults be doing differently to address it?
While what was learned wasn’t super surprising, it was shocking to hear the intensity and depth of the emotion being expressed among all the kids. They are greatly impacted by their lack of understanding about #mentalillness and #suicide and feel helpless about how to support a friend or themselves.
#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
Below are some of the key takeaways from each of the topics:
CONTRIBUTING FACTORS
- No one talks about #mentalillness or #suicide.
- No one is available to talk to about it.
- The bar is too high and expectations of perfection create #anxiety and #depression.
- It seems like everyone has a better life than you – you are “never enough.”
- Loneliness is a key theme.
- Not having a solid squad leads to #anxiety and #depression.
- Bullying is an issue – more #mental bullying than anything.
- #Socialmedia perpetuates #anxiety about everyone else’s great life, loneliness and bullying.
WHO IS AT RISK
Everyone.
WHAT’S BEING DONE RIGHT?
Starting conversations like tonight to talk about it.
WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE DIFFERENTLY/WHAT NEEDS TO CHANGE?
- Invite conversation. Talk about it more at schools and with parents.
- Provide more education on #mentalillness and #suicide.
- Provide more information and resources on how to support a friend or yourself.
- Schools need to engage more with students.
- There needs to be more dedicated #mentalhealth counselors – and someone the kids connect with; someone they can trust.
When asked what information is available to them about #suicide at school, a few kids offered, “A poster on the wall in the office.”
At the end of the evening, we asked the kids to answer four questions, confidentially on sheets of paper. One of the questions asked, “If you have ever thought about #suicide, finish the following statement, “I wish . . .”
SIX out of the 15 kids in attendance completed that question.
SIX out of the 15 kids in attendance completed that question.
The following are the questions and some responses:
WHAT DID YOU LEARN TONIGHT?
- #Socialmedia is the root of a lot of #mentalhealthissues.
- A lot of us have the same feelings and think the same way but no one talks about it.
- There are a lot more factors contributing to #suicide than I thought.
- Pay attention to the little things and signs.
- You never know what’s going on inside someone’s mind. Be kind.
- Always tell an adult if you’re having trouble or a friend is… don’t keep quiet.
WHAT WILL YOU DO DIFFERENTLY AFTER TONIGHT?
- Keep talking about #mentalhealth and #suicide.
- Realize others may be struggling even though you can’t tell.
HOW WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE #TEEN CHATS CONTINUE IN THE FUTURE?
- Hold more gatherings like this one.
- Keep the conversation going.
- More activities and interaction.
- Talk more about real life circumstances.
IF YOU’VE THOUGHT ABOUT #SUICIDE, COMPLETE THIS STATEMENT, “I WISH . . .”
- “I wish someone knew how I was feeling.”
- “I wish someone was there for me.”
- “I wish I said I love you more to family.”
- “I wish I had told someone.”
- “I wish I talked about it.”
Takeaways for the adults? Continue to communicate about #mentalhealth and #suicide. Share the information with other adults and parents. Advocate for change in the schools and among legislators.
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
