#Suicide is a significant and often unaddressed public health problem in #America – and it is getting worse. It currently stands as the tenth leading cause of death in the #UnitedStates, with 48,344 instances reported in 2018 according to the #U.S.CentersforDiseaseControlandPrevention (#CDC). That number is up from 47,173 reported the year before. Alarmingly, the #CDC reports that the rate of #suicide has spiked by 35% since 1999. In fact, the #CDC reported that from 2017 to 2018, death rates increased for only two of the top 10 leading causes of death in #America: influenza and #suicide.
#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
As noted by the #NationalInstituteofMentalHealth (#NIMH), #suicide does not discriminate by race, age, gender, or ethnicity. The main risk factors for #suicide, according to the NIMH, include:
- A prior #suicide attempt
- #Depression and other #mentalhealthdisorders
- Substance abuse disorder
- Family history of a #mentalhealth or substance abuse disorder
- Family history of #suicide
- Family violence, including physical or sexual abuse
- Having guns or other firearms in the home
- Being between the ages of 15 and 24 years or over age 60
Although most people with these risks will not kill, or even attempt to kill themselves, the #NIMH writes that, “the risk for suicidal behavior is complex. Research suggests that people who attempt #suicide may react to events, think, and make decisions differently than those who do not attempt #suicide. These differences happen more often if a person also has a disorder such as #depression, substance abuse, #anxiety, borderline personality disorder, and psychosis. Risk factors are important to keep in mind; however, someone who has warning signs of #suicide may be in more danger and require immediate attention.”
So why is the rate of #suicide especially high in the US? While there are a myriad reasons, several stand out.
Traumatic #Stress
People who have incurred traumatic #stress face an amplified risk of taking their lives, and this #suicidalideation often manifests years after the trauma has occurred. Such traumatic experiences include #rape, childhood sexual abuse, or war trauma. A survey of nearly 6,000 US adults found that 22% of people who have been #raped had attempted #suicide at some point, while 23% of people who underwent physical assault attempted #suicide. Also, people who had suffered multiple incidents of sexual abuse had an almost 43% increased risk of #suicide attempt, and those who experienced physical assault had a 73.5% elevated risk of risk of trying to kill themselves. Similarly, that same survey found that people with a #posttraumaticstressdisorder (#PTSD) diagnosis, which is linked to trauma, have a 27% higher chance of attempting to take their lives. In another large-scale study, researchers observed that 24% of military soldiers with #PTSD experience suicidal thoughts.
Substance Abuse
Drug and alcohol use can influence #suicidal thinking, and increases impulsive behavior, making people more likely to make rash decisions while intoxicated than when sober. Substance abuse also contributes to other factors linked to #suicide, such as job and relationship loss. The link between substance abuse and #suicide has been well studied. For instance, a review of minimum-age drinking laws among youths aged 18 to 20 uncovered that lower minimum-age drinking laws are correlated with higher rates of #youth #suicide. A similar finding was observed among adults, as revealed in a large study which showed suicidal thoughts are more often reported in persons with #depression who also drink alcohol. Moreover, another study showed that people who attempt #suicide are not only more likely to have a depressive disorder but are also more likely have drug and/or alcohol dependency. Furthermore, a study of non-traffic injury deaths linked to intoxication showed that over 20% were suicides.
Physical and #MentalIllness
The risk of #suicide is very high among people suffering chronic pain or illness, especially terminal illness. The #NIMH referenced a study published in the American Journal of Preventative Medicine, which showed the following #healthconditions are linked to an increased risk of #suicide.
- Asthma
- Back pain
- Brain injury
- Cancer
- Congestive heart failure
- Diabetes
- Epilepsy
- HIV/AIDS
- Heart disease
- High blood pressure
- Migraine
- Parkinson’s disease
Additionally, data show people with chronic pain are four times more likely to develop #anxiety and #depression, which are chief contributors to #suicide.
Another significant factor for suicidal thoughts and actions is #mentalillness. A previous study found that one in six #Americans takes a psychiatric drug, especially #anxiety relievers, #antidepressants, and antipsychotics. Moreover, one in three US adults are prescribed some sort of pain reliever, and physical pain augments #suicide risk.
Fear of Being a Burden
Chronic pain and illness can lead people to feel like a burden to others. The constant time and attention required to take care of someone suffering from chronic pain or terminal illness is significant. The #NIMH writes a “person with chronic pain or a terminal illness can also feel like a burden to others, as it becomes harder and harder to ask for yet another ride to the doctor’s office or more help with household duties or assistance paying for hospital bills. In fact, many people who decide to commit #suicide often state that their loved ones or the world, in general, would be better off without them.”
#SocialIsolation
People become socially isolated for a plethora of reasons, especially now amid the #coronavirus #pandemic. These factors may include a move, the loss of loved one, #socialanxiety, #mentalillness, and job or relationship loss. #Socialisolation can also be caused by self-esteem issues. No matter the cause, #isolation is associated with #depression and substance abuse, therefore suicidal thoughts and actions. According to a paper published in journal Suicide & Life Threatening Behavior, “#socialisolation seems to be related to suicidal behaviors in a direct and fundamental way.”
A Sense of #Hopelessness
According to #NIMH, both short-term and long-term #hopelessness is a key factor in #suicide, and the findings of many studies corroborate this. People who feel like all hope is lost tend to overlook any good in their lives, and some, unfortunately, view taking their lives as the only reprieve. “While it might seem obvious to an outside observer that things will get better, people with #depression may not be able to see this due to the pessimism and despair that go along with this illness,” the NIMH writes.
#COVID-19
We’re now living in a new world. The “new normal” brought about by the #COVID-19 #pandemic has produced a litany of new stressors to the lives of all #Americans, while impeding access to resources people have traditionally used for coping. Stay-at-home orders, #socialdistancing measures, and massive job losses have created the perfect storm for a possible spike in suicides.
“Disrupted routines and the potential for contracting a life-threatening disease may be exacerbating preexisting problems such as #mentalillness or substance use. At the same time, physical distancing is endangering #mentalhealth even as it protects physical health. People in crisis may avoid hospitals, whether for fear of adding to the burden of already overwhelmed facilities or of catching the #virus. Gun sales are up,” writes the American Psychological Association.
These intensified stressors may create a “perfect storm” when it comes to increasing the #suicide rate, according Mark Reger, PhD, chief of psychology services at the VA Puget Sound Health Care System in #Seattle and an associate professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at the University of Washington School of Medicine. However, Dr. Reger added that “#suicide is preventable.” He said that “We must use what we know can work to mitigate the risk in this time.”
For more information on #suicide, and all available treatment options, please visit the #NationalInstituteofMentalHealth.
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
