By William Wan
#Suicide death rates among #teenagers and young adults have increased at an alarming pace in the past decade, according to a new government report. While #suicide has steadily become more common across the population, the increase among youths has outpaced all other age groups.
For many years, #suicide among youths was relatively rare and its frequency relatively stable. But from 2007 to 2017, the number of suicides among people ages 10 to 24 suddenly increased 56 percent — from 6.8 deaths per 100,000 people to 10.6, the new report shows.
#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
#Suicide has become the second-most common cause of death among #teenagers and young adults, overtaking homicides and outpaced only by accidents.
“Just looking at these numbers, it’s hard not to find them completely disturbing. It should be a call to action,” said Lisa M. Horowitz, a pediatric psychologist at the #NationalInstituteofMentalHealth. “If you had kids suddenly dying at these rates from a new disease or infection, there would be a huge outcry. But most people don’t even know this is happening. It’s not recognized for the public health crisis it has become.”
The report released Thursday by the #CentersforDiseaseControlandPrevention also showed homicides among ages 10 to 24 increasing 23 percent from 2014 through 2017 after a long period of decline. This trend mirrors a similar uptick in homicides across other age groups, said CDC statistician Sally C. Curtin, who compiled the new report.
Firearms are one factor looming over both worrisome trends. The #UnitedStates has more guns per capita than any other country. It also has by far a higher rate of gun deaths than any other wealthy country. And while violent homicides often grab headlines, more gun deaths every year are attributed to #suicide.
The sharp increase in teen #suicides has especially frustrated and puzzled researchers, who have struggled to explain its causes. Some have attributed it to changing social structures, lack of community and the rise of #socialmedia and smartphones. Others have pointed to bullying and less sleep.
A few have latched onto media — the popularity of shows such as “13 Reasons Why” that depict and focus on #suicide, or the high-profile suicides of celebrities.
“The truth is anyone who says they definitively know what is causing it doesn’t know what they’re talking about,” said Ursula Whiteside, a researcher with the University of Washington. “It’s a complex problem with no easy answers so far.”
Many studies, for example, have explored the ways #socialmedia might exacerbate #depression and #stress in #teenagers. But at the same time, other studies have shown #socialmedia to be a positive force — reaching isolated individuals and creating social connections that didn’t exist before.
The Internet may have made it easier to research lethal ways of killing oneself. But at the same time, it has made resources such as #suicideprevention hotlines and text and chat programs more readily available than ever.
“If you asked 10 years ago, no one would have known where to call when they’re in a crisis,” said Jill Harkavy-Friedman, vice president of research for the #AmericanFoundationforSuicidePrevention. “Now we have a number, 1-800-273-8255. There’s even a catchy song about it ,” referring to the Logic song of the same name.
Suicide deaths among youths remain relatively uncommon compared with much larger numbers of deaths among those who are middle-aged and elderly. Still, the sharper increase among youths is alarming because of the trajectory it suggests.
“It points to how important early intervention is to the prevention effort,” said Harkavy-Friedman, pointing to numerous studies showing that early intervention — such as suicide screening at emergency rooms and pediatricians’ offices — can have a large effect on the number of #suicide attempts.
Other interventions researchers have focused on in recent years include safety plans and lethal means counseling, in which counselors help those struggling with #mentalhealth and their families plan ahead to remove immediate access to drugs and firearms.
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
