#Anxiety and #depression are on the rise among American #teenagers
The #suicide rate among young Americans aged 10 to 24 years old soared by 56% between 2007 and 2017, according to new data from the #CentersforDiseaseControlandPrevention. The homicide rate for that age group fell by 23% from 2007 to 2014, but rose by 18% in 2017.
#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
This reflects overall #suicide rates. They’ve risen nearly 30% between 1999 and 2016, the CDC also said last year, citing #mental-health issues as one major factor. Between 1999 and 2016, #suicide rates increased significantly in 44 states, with 25 states experiencing increases of more than 30%.
Aside from #mental-health conditions, relationship problems and/or loss, life stressors, plus recent and/or impending crises were common across all groups.
Aside from #mental-health conditions, relationship problems/loss, life stressors, and recent and/or impending crises were common across all age groups. “Suicides and self-harm injuries cost the nation approximately $70 billion per year in direct medical and work loss costs,” the CDC added.
#Anxiety and #depression are on the rise among American teenagers. Over 70% of teenagers say they see these #mental-health issues as major problems among their peers, according to a report released last February by the Pew Research Center, a Washington, D.C.-based think tank.
The group surveyed 10,683 teenagers aged 13 to 17 in September 2018 and October 2018 .A substantial share of teenagers still say bullying, drug addiction and alcohol consumption is a “major problem” rather than a “minor problem” or “not a problem.”
“Concern about #mental-health cuts across gender, racial and socioeconomic lines, with roughly equal shares of teens across demographic groups saying it is a significant issue in their community,” the Pew Research Center said in the report.
Here’s what that report found: 6 in 10 teens say they feel a lot of pressure to get good grades, 7 in 10 said both #anxiety and #depression are a “major problem,” more than 50% said alcohol and drug addiction is a “major problem” and 3 in 10 teens are under pressure to look good and fit in socially.
Young people who spend more than 2 hours a day on #socialmedia are more likely to report poor #mentalhealth and psychological distress, symptoms of which include #anxiety and #depression, a 2015 study in the journal Cyberpsychology, Behavior and Social Networking found.
Younger #children who died by #suicide more often experienced relationship problems with family members and friends and less often had boyfriend/girlfriend problems or left a #suicide note.
There were 115,856 visits to hospitals by children who attempted #suicide or had suicidal thoughts between 2008 and 2015, according to a separate report published last year in Pediatrics, the official journal from the American Academy of Pediatrics.
The annual percentage of hospital visits by #children for those two reasons — attempting #suicide or having suicidal thoughts — almost tripled, from 0.66% in 2008 to 1.82% in 2015. More teens than younger children arrived at hospitals with such feelings of despair.
“Significant increases were noted in all age groups, but were higher in adolescents 15 to 17 years old and adolescents 12 to 14 years old,” it said. The rise coincided with the spring and fall semesters of school, and dipped during the summer, suggesting that issues are compounded in school.
Younger children who died by #suicide more often experienced relationship problems with family members and friends and less often had boyfriend/girlfriend problems or left a #suicide note, a separate study published last year in Pediatrics found.
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
