James Donaldson on Mental Health - Risk factors driving rising suicide rates among Black youth identified

Author(s) Celeste Krewson, Assistant Editor

Key Takeaways
- Prior self-harm was the strongest predictor of suicide, with an odds ratio of 16.40, underscoring the need for close follow-up and intervention after deliberate self-harm.
- Recent psychiatric care, traumatic brain injury, violence exposure, and educational or occupational problems were significantly associated with increased suicide risk among Black youth enrolled in Medicaid.
- Family and contextual stressors—including abuse or neglect, relational conflict, economic hardship, and high social vulnerability— were more common among suicide decedents, highlighting the importance of multi-level prevention strategies.

A study highlights prior self-harm, traumatic brain injury, family instability, and social vulnerability as major risk factors associated with suicide among Black youth.

Risk factors driving rising suicide rates among Black youth identified

Researchers have identified factors contributing to the significant rise in suicide rates among Black youth, publishing their findings in JAMA Network Open.1

These factors include depression, brain injury, exposure to violence, and more. Prior self-harm was the most common risk factor among Black youth committing suicide, with a prevalence of 56.4% This indicates a critical avenue of follow-up to decrease the odds of suicide in this population.1

“We focused on a Medicaid population because Black youth are disproportionately covered by Medicaid compared to other child populations,” said Cynthia Fontanella, PhD, principal investigator at Nationwide Children’s Hospital.1

Assessing suicide risk factors in Black youth

The population-based matched case-control study was conducted to provide a deeper understanding of intragroup patterns and correlates of suicide among Black youth.2 Participants included non-Hispanic Black patients aged 9 to 24 years with Medicaid enrollment between January 1, 2010, and December 31, 2019.

All participants had a lifetime mental health diagnosis including posttraumatic stress disorder, anxiety, psychotic, mood, disruptive behavior, substance use disorders, and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Youth with suicide after at least 10 months of Medicaid enrollment were considered cases.2

Each case was matched to 10 controls based on sex, age, and state of residence. These controls included Black youth with a lifetime mental health diagnosis who were alive on the index date, defined as the case’s death date.2

#James Donaldson 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
Find out more about the work I do on my 501c3 non-profit foundation
website www.yourgiftoflife.org Order your copy of James Donaldson's latest book,
#CelebratingYourGiftofLife: From The Verge of Suicide to a Life of Purpose and Joy

Click Here For More Information About James Donaldson

Click here to follow James Donaldson's Blog

Relevant data and participant characteristics

Data was obtained from the Medicaid Analytic eXtract, Transformed Medicaid Statistical Information System Analytic File, and National Death Index. Suicide death was reported as the primary outcome based on International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, Ninth and Tenth Revision cause of death codes.2

Patient covariates included Medicaid eligibility reason, mental health and general medical conditions, prior deliberate self-harm (DSH), social determinants of health, and acute or outpatient mental health care within 1 month before the index date. Child abuse or neglect, family relational problems, and economic problems were reported as family covariates.2

There were 9625 participants included in the final analysis, 875 of whom were cases and 8750 were controls. Of patients, 72.2% were male, with a mean age of 18.9 years reported at the index date. Hanging or suffocation was the most common suicide method, reported in 43.5%. This was followed by firearms in 31.8% and poisoning in 8.2%.2

Strongest individual- and family-level risk factors

Individual, family, and contextual factors significantly differed between groups. These included increased odds of Medicaid enrollment through disability or foster care among cases, with adjusted odds ratios (aORs) of 1.22 and 1.85, respectively.2

Additional aORs highlighting risk factors of suicide included 2.12 for recent acute mental health care, 4.38 for traumatic brain injury or concussion, and 2.71 for violence exposure. DSH and educational or occupational problems had unadjusted odds ratios of 16.40 and 2.36, respectively. There were also multiple health disorders more common in cases vs controls.2

Family-level factors were also more common in suicide decedents. After adjustment, only family relational problems had a significant link, with an aOR of 2.18. Unadjusted odds ratios in this population included:2

- 2.21 for child abuse or neglect history
- 3.45 for family relational problems
- 4.83 for economic or housing problems

Implications

Finally, contextual-level factors such as living in urban areas or a county with moderate to high social vulnerability were more likely in Black youth who committed suicide. Overall, the results highlighted a variety of factors that may be used to inform suicide prevention strategies in this population.2

“Research shows that one of the highest risk periods for suicide in all youth is after hospitalization for psychiatric care,” said Fontanella.1 “We need to target these critical periods.”

References

- Understanding the rising suicide risk among Black youth. Nationwide Children’s Hospital. February 18, 2026. Accessed February 20, 2026. https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1117030
- Fontanella CA, Xia X, Llamocca EN, et al. Suicide risk and protective factors among medicaid-enrolled Black youth with a mental health diagnosis. JAMA Netw Open. 2026;9(2):e2559657. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2025.59657
https://795569.us22.myftpupload.com/james-donaldson-on-mental-health-risk-factors-driving-rising-suicide-rates-among-black-youth-identified/

Author(s) Celeste Krewson, Assistant Editor

Key Takeaways

- Prior self-harm was the strongest predictor of suicide, with an odds ratio of 16.40, underscoring the need for close follow-up and intervention after deliberate self-harm.

- Recent psychiatric care, traumatic brain injury, violence exposure, and educational or occupational problems were significantly associated with increased suicide risk among Black youth enrolled in Medicaid.

- Family and contextual stressors—including abuse or neglect, relational conflict, economic hardship, and high social vulnerability— were more common among suicide decedents, highlighting the importance of multi-level prevention strategies.

A study highlights prior self-harm, traumatic brain injury, family instability, and social vulnerability as major risk factors associated with suicide among Black youth.

Risk factors driving rising suicide rates among Black youth identified

Researchers have identified factors contributing to the significant rise in suicide rates among Black youth, publishing their findings in JAMA Network Open.1

These factors include depression, brain injury, exposure to violence, and more. Prior self-harm was the most common risk factor among Black youth committing suicide, with a prevalence of 56.4% This indicates a critical avenue of follow-up to decrease the odds of suicide in this population.1

“We focused on a Medicaid population because Black youth are disproportionately covered by Medicaid compared to other child populations,” said Cynthia Fontanella, PhD, principal investigator at Nationwide Children’s Hospital.1

Assessing suicide risk factors in Black youth

The population-based matched case-control study was conducted to provide a deeper understanding of intragroup patterns and correlates of suicide among Black youth.2 Participants included non-Hispanic Black patients aged 9 to 24 years with Medicaid enrollment between January 1, 2010, and December 31, 2019.

All participants had a lifetime mental health diagnosis including posttraumatic stress disorder, anxiety, psychotic, mood, disruptive behavior, substance use disorders, and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Youth with suicide after at least 10 months of Medicaid enrollment were considered cases.2

Each case was matched to 10 controls based on sex, age, and state of residence. These controls included Black youth with a lifetime mental health diagnosis who were alive on the index date, defined as the case’s death date.2

#James Donaldson 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
Find out more about the work I do on my 501c3 non-profit foundation
website www.yourgiftoflife.org Order your copy of James Donaldson's latest book,
#CelebratingYourGiftofLife: From The Verge of Suicide to a Life of Purpose and Joy

Click Here For More Information About James Donaldson

Click here to follow James Donaldson's Blog

Relevant data and participant characteristics

Data was obtained from the Medicaid Analytic eXtract, Transformed Medicaid Statistical Information System Analytic File, and National Death Index. Suicide death was reported as the primary outcome based on International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, Ninth and Tenth Revision cause of death codes.2

Patient covariates included Medicaid eligibility reason, mental health and general medical conditions, prior deliberate self-harm (DSH), social determinants of health, and acute or outpatient mental health care within 1 month before the index date. Child abuse or neglect, family relational problems, and economic problems were reported as family covariates.2

There were 9625 participants included in the final analysis, 875 of whom were cases and 8750 were controls. Of patients, 72.2% were male, with a mean age of 18.9 years reported at the index date. Hanging or suffocation was the most common suicide method, reported in 43.5%. This was followed by firearms in 31.8% and poisoning in 8.2%.2

Strongest individual- and family-level risk factors

Individual, family, and contextual factors significantly differed between groups. These included increased odds of Medicaid enrollment through disability or foster care among cases, with adjusted odds ratios (aORs) of 1.22 and 1.85, respectively.2

Additional aORs highlighting risk factors of suicide included 2.12 for recent acute mental health care, 4.38 for traumatic brain injury or concussion, and 2.71 for violence exposure. DSH and educational or occupational problems had unadjusted odds ratios of 16.40 and 2.36, respectively. There were also multiple health disorders more common in cases vs controls.2

Family-level factors were also more common in suicide decedents. After adjustment, only family relational problems had a significant link, with an aOR of 2.18. Unadjusted odds ratios in this population included:2

- 2.21 for child abuse or neglect history

- 3.45 for family relational problems

- 4.83 for economic or housing problems

Implications

Finally, contextual-level factors such as living in urban areas or a county with moderate to high social vulnerability were more likely in Black youth who committed suicide. Overall, the results highlighted a variety of factors that may be used to inform suicide prevention strategies in this population.2

“Research shows that one of the highest risk periods for suicide in all youth is after hospitalization for psychiatric care,” said Fontanella.1 “We need to target these critical periods.”

References

- Understanding the rising suicide risk among Black youth. Nationwide Children’s Hospital. February 18, 2026. Accessed February 20, 2026. https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1117030

- Fontanella CA, Xia X, Llamocca EN, et al. Suicide risk and protective factors among medicaid-enrolled Black youth with a mental health diagnosis. JAMA Netw Open. 2026;9(2):e2559657. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2025.59657 https://standingabovethecrowd.com/?p=16593

Signs that your teen might be on an unhealthy path

Eating Disorder

Writer: Rachel Ehmke

Clinical Expert: Allison Dubinski, LCSW

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N7PTi5RTVkE

What You'll Learn

- What are common signs of eating disorders in teenagers?

- What kinds of eating disorders do teenagers experience?

- What should parents do if a child might have an eating disorder?

Quick Read

Most teenagers worry about how they look. It can be hard to tell the difference between normal behavior and a possible eating disorder. Here are the signs that a teenager might be dealing with an eating disorder.

First, kids with eating disorders have very unrealistic views of their bodies. Even if everyone else says they look great or even too skinny, they think they’re too fat. They also care more than other kids about how they look and feel like their self-worth is very closely tied to their weight and appearance.

Teenagers with eating disorders also have extreme eating habits. They might eat way too little, which is the main symptom of anorexia nervosa. Kids with anorexia are often high achievers trying to be perfect, and their weight can get very low. It can be hard to spot because these kids are often successful and popular.

Other kids with eating disorders eat way too much. In bulimia nervosa, they eat a lot all at once, which is called binging. Then, some kids with bulimia get rid of the food by throwing up, taking laxatives, or exercising a lot. This is called purging. They might be a normal weight or even overweight.

Many teenagers are good at hiding their eating disorders, but big changes in weight, eating habits, or exercise habits are often signs of trouble. If you think your child might have an eating disorder, get help from a doctor right away. Untreated eating disorders can be very dangerous, but treatment helps a lot. In particular, family-based treatment (FBT) has been shown to help kids get healthier quickly while staying at home with family.

All teenagers worry about their appearance. Self-esteem can be precarious during adolescence, and body consciousness comes with the territory. But if you’ve noticed that your child is fixated on weight, you’re probably worried. So what is the difference between normal behavior and behavior that might indicate an eating disorder?

- Distorted Body Image: While other people see a normal (or painfully skinny) kid, teenagers with eating disorders look into the mirror and see a different person entirely. They have a distorted perception of their own appearance, and no amount of reassurance from family and friends—all of them saying, “You’re not fat”—will change that conviction.

- Fixated on Appearance: Young people who develop eating disorders are extraordinarily focused on their appearance as a measure of self-worth. While other kids tend to stake their identities on their interests and accomplishments, these teenagers have their emotions, and their lives, wrapped up in thoughts of food and appearance.

- Extreme Dieting: Anorexia nervosa, the most common eating disorder, is self-imposed starvation, usually by a young woman who is otherwise high-functioning. Personality types more likely to develop the disorder include athletes, perfectionists, and over-achievers. They are driven to maintain a dangerously low body weight because of a distorted self-image. Detecting anorexia can be very difficult because it typically affects high-performing kids.

- Overeating: Kids with bulimia nervosa, the other most common eating disorder, indulge in periodic and usually secretive binges. Many kids with bulimia say they feel out of control during their binges and describe them as “out of body experiences.” To compensate, many will purge afterward or diet strenuously. Teenagers with the disorder may be very influenced by body ideals perpetuated in media and popular culture. It can be difficult to diagnose the disorder because people with bulimia can have a normal body weight or may even be overweight.

#James Donaldson 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
Find out more about the work I do on my 501c3 non-profit foundation
website www.yourgiftoflife.org Order your copy of James Donaldson's latest book,
#CelebratingYourGiftofLife: From The Verge of Suicide to a Life of Purpose and Joy

Click Here For More Information About James Donaldson

Click here to follow James Donaldson's Blog

What signs to look for

Kids with eating disorders often try to keep their unhealthy eating habits and behaviors a secret, but there are still some signs that parents might notice.

Signs of anorexia

- Losing weight unexpectedly and/or being dangerously thin (Despite their extreme thinness, kids with anorexia usually don’t think that they are unhealthy and actually want to lose even more weight.)

- Obsessing over calorie counts, nutritional facts, and diets

- Spending many hours exercising to burn off calories

- Skipping meals

- Avoiding eating socially

- Irregular periods, thinning hair, and constant exhaustion

Signs of bulimia

- Exercising excessively or using diet pills or laxatives

- Going to the bathroom immediately after meals

- Spending a lot of time in the bathroom

- Having a sore throat, sore knuckles, discolored teeth, and poor enamel

- Hoarding food in her room

- Having large amounts of food that go missing at home

Preventing Eating Disorders

Eating disorders can affect all kinds of kids for all kinds of reasons. Still, there things you can do to help your child build a healthy relationship with food and eating and reduce the risk that they might develop an eating disorder.

- Try to establish healthy eating habits. Make a routine of eating healthy, balanced meals as a family.

- Discuss foods in terms of how healthy they are, not how “good” or “bad” they are.

- Don’t criticize your child’s weight or appearance. Adolescence is a difficult time for most kids, and it’s essential to provide them with a nurturing and supportive environment.

- Some kids are more likely than others to develop eating disorders. Be extra vigilant if you have a family history of eating disorders or if you know that your child is under extreme pressure to look a certain way.

Treating Eating Disorders

Eating disorders in children are very serious and can be deadly, but they’re also treatable. If you think your child has an eating disorder, you should contact a doctor for help immediately.

Hospitalization is sometimes necessary, but for many kids with eating disorders, the recommended treatment involves staying at home and recovering under their family’s care. Family-based treatment (FBT) coaches parents on guiding their child’s recovery and evidence shows that it helps kids return to a healthy weight more quickly than other treatments. Enhanced cognitive behavioral therapy (called CBT-E) and adolescent-focused therapy (called AFT) have also been shown to be effective in many cases, though they generally work more slowly than FBT.

Eating Disorder https://standingabovethecrowd.com/?p=16589

James Donaldson on Mental Health - What Is an Eating Disorder and When to Worry

Signs that your teen might be on an unhealthy path

Eating Disorder

Writer: Rachel Ehmke

Clinical Expert: Allison Dubinski, LCSW

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N7PTi5RTVkE

What You'll Learn

- What are common signs of eating disorders in teenagers?
- What kinds of eating disorders do teenagers experience?
- What should parents do if a child might have an eating disorder?

Quick Read

Most teenagers worry about how they look. It can be hard to tell the difference between normal behavior and a possible eating disorder. Here are the signs that a teenager might be dealing with an eating disorder.

First, kids with eating disorders have very unrealistic views of their bodies. Even if everyone else says they look great or even too skinny, they think they’re too fat. They also care more than other kids about how they look and feel like their self-worth is very closely tied to their weight and appearance.

Teenagers with eating disorders also have extreme eating habits. They might eat way too little, which is the main symptom of anorexia nervosa. Kids with anorexia are often high achievers trying to be perfect, and their weight can get very low. It can be hard to spot because these kids are often successful and popular.

Other kids with eating disorders eat way too much. In bulimia nervosa, they eat a lot all at once, which is called binging. Then, some kids with bulimia get rid of the food by throwing up, taking laxatives, or exercising a lot. This is called purging. They might be a normal weight or even overweight.

Many teenagers are good at hiding their eating disorders, but big changes in weight, eating habits, or exercise habits are often signs of trouble. If you think your child might have an eating disorder, get help from a doctor right away. Untreated eating disorders can be very dangerous, but treatment helps a lot. In particular, family-based treatment (FBT) has been shown to help kids get healthier quickly while staying at home with family.

All teenagers worry about their appearance. Self-esteem can be precarious during adolescence, and body consciousness comes with the territory. But if you’ve noticed that your child is fixated on weight, you’re probably worried. So what is the difference between normal behavior and behavior that might indicate an eating disorder?

- Distorted Body Image: While other people see a normal (or painfully skinny) kid, teenagers with eating disorders look into the mirror and see a different person entirely. They have a distorted perception of their own appearance, and no amount of reassurance from family and friends—all of them saying, “You’re not fat”—will change that conviction.
- Fixated on Appearance: Young people who develop eating disorders are extraordinarily focused on their appearance as a measure of self-worth. While other kids tend to stake their identities on their interests and accomplishments, these teenagers have their emotions, and their lives, wrapped up in thoughts of food and appearance.
- Extreme Dieting: Anorexia nervosa, the most common eating disorder, is self-imposed starvation, usually by a young woman who is otherwise high-functioning. Personality types more likely to develop the disorder include athletes, perfectionists, and over-achievers. They are driven to maintain a dangerously low body weight because of a distorted self-image. Detecting anorexia can be very difficult because it typically affects high-performing kids.
- Overeating: Kids with bulimia nervosa, the other most common eating disorder, indulge in periodic and usually secretive binges. Many kids with bulimia say they feel out of control during their binges and describe them as “out of body experiences.” To compensate, many will purge afterward or diet strenuously. Teenagers with the disorder may be very influenced by body ideals perpetuated in media and popular culture. It can be difficult to diagnose the disorder because people with bulimia can have a normal body weight or may even be overweight.

#James Donaldson 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
Find out more about the work I do on my 501c3 non-profit foundation
website www.yourgiftoflife.org Order your copy of James Donaldson's latest book,
#CelebratingYourGiftofLife: From The Verge of Suicide to a Life of Purpose and Joy

Click Here For More Information About James Donaldson

Click here to follow James Donaldson's Blog

What signs to look for

Kids with eating disorders often try to keep their unhealthy eating habits and behaviors a secret, but there are still some signs that parents might notice.

Signs of anorexia

- Losing weight unexpectedly and/or being dangerously thin (Despite their extreme thinness, kids with anorexia usually don’t think that they are unhealthy and actually want to lose even more weight.)
- Obsessing over calorie counts, nutritional facts, and diets
- Spending many hours exercising to burn off calories
- Skipping meals
- Avoiding eating socially
- Irregular periods, thinning hair, and constant exhaustion

Signs of bulimia

- Exercising excessively or using diet pills or laxatives
- Going to the bathroom immediately after meals
- Spending a lot of time in the bathroom
- Having a sore throat, sore knuckles, discolored teeth, and poor enamel
- Hoarding food in her room
- Having large amounts of food that go missing at home

Preventing Eating Disorders

Eating disorders can affect all kinds of kids for all kinds of reasons. Still, there things you can do to help your child build a healthy relationship with food and eating and reduce the risk that they might develop an eating disorder.

- Try to establish healthy eating habits. Make a routine of eating healthy, balanced meals as a family.
- Discuss foods in terms of how healthy they are, not how “good” or “bad” they are.
- Don’t criticize your child’s weight or appearance. Adolescence is a difficult time for most kids, and it’s essential to provide them with a nurturing and supportive environment.
- Some kids are more likely than others to develop eating disorders. Be extra vigilant if you have a family history of eating disorders or if you know that your child is under extreme pressure to look a certain way.

Treating Eating Disorders

Eating disorders in children are very serious and can be deadly, but they’re also treatable. If you think your child has an eating disorder, you should contact a doctor for help immediately.

Hospitalization is sometimes necessary, but for many kids with eating disorders, the recommended treatment involves staying at home and recovering under their family’s care. Family-based treatment (FBT) coaches parents on guiding their child’s recovery and evidence shows that it helps kids return to a healthy weight more quickly than other treatments. Enhanced cognitive behavioral therapy (called CBT-E) and adolescent-focused therapy (called AFT) have also been shown to be effective in many cases, though they generally work more slowly than FBT.

Eating Disorder https://795569.us22.myftpupload.com/james-donaldson-on-mental-health-what-is-an-eating-disorder-and-when-to-worry-2/

James Donaldson on Mental Health - Understanding the rising suicide risk among Black youth

by Nationwide Children's Hospital

edited by Stephanie Baum, reviewed by Andrew Zinin

Suicide rates among Black youth have risen sharply in recent years, surpassing those of other racial and ethnic groups. In 2023, it was the third leading cause of death for Black youth aged 10–24 years. However, research examining factors contributing to suicide in this population remains limited.

A study published in JAMA Network Open and led by Cynthia Fontanella, Ph.D., principal investigator for the Center for Suicide Prevention and Research at Nationwide Children's Hospital, is the first large-scale study to examine multi-level risk and protective factors for suicide among Medicaid-enrolled Black youth with a lifetime mental health diagnosis.

"We focused on a Medicaid population because Black youth are disproportionately covered by Medicaid compared to other child populations," says Dr. Fontanella. "They often face social and economic challenges that impact both health and health care navigation. This study allowed us to gain a deeper understanding of intragroup patterns with the hope of more targeted suicide prevention strategies."

The study included 875 Black youth aged 9–24 years who died by suicide between January 1, 2010, and December 31, 2019. Each suicide case was matched with 10 living controls (8,750 individuals) on age, sex and state. There was a total of 9,625 individuals, with 6,950 of them being males. All cases and controls were Medicaid-enrolled and had a documented lifetime mental health diagnosis.

The study found factors associated with increased odds of suicide included:

- Depression and schizophrenia/psychosis diagnoses
- Prior deliberate self-harm
- Prior psychiatric acute care
- Brain injury
- Exposure to violence
- Family relational problems
- Foster care and disability status
- Living in an urban community or in a county with a moderate to high socially vulnerable index—these counties face significant challenges due to poverty, low education, high unemployment, inadequate transportation or crowded housing.

#James Donaldson 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
Find out more about the work I do on my 501c3 non-profit foundation
website www.yourgiftoflife.org Order your copy of James Donaldson's latest book,
#CelebratingYourGiftofLife: From The Verge of Suicide to a Life of Purpose and Joy

Click Here For More Information About James Donaldson

Click here to follow James Donaldson's Blog

The highest risk for suicide for Black youth was prior deliberate self-harm (56.4%). According to Dr. Fontanella, timely assessment and continuous follow-up after deliberate self-harm are crucial to decreasing the risk of suicide.

"Research shows that one of the highest risk periods for suicide in all youth is after hospitalization for psychiatric care," says Dr. Fontanella. "We need to target these critical periods. In a previous study, we found that kids that received a timely follow-up after hospitalization were significantly less likely to die by suicide. However, there are huge disparities in race. Black youth were less likely to receive follow-up, putting them at a greater risk."

Protective factors associated with decreased odds of suicide included diagnoses of anxiety and developmental disorders and living in a county with moderate to high rates of religious institutions.

"Community involvement and religiosity were found to be important protective factors for Black youth," says Dr. Fontanella. "This was a big finding. There is very little research looking at the direct impact of religion in these communities, so this is a definite area for further research. Learning what interventions are effective in this population, including culturally tailored interventions and psychosocial interventions are crucial."

https://795569.us22.myftpupload.com/james-donaldson-on-mental-health-understanding-the-rising-suicide-risk-among-black-youth/

by Nationwide Children's Hospital

edited by Stephanie Baum, reviewed by Andrew Zinin

Suicide rates among Black youth have risen sharply in recent years, surpassing those of other racial and ethnic groups. In 2023, it was the third leading cause of death for Black youth aged 10–24 years. However, research examining factors contributing to suicide in this population remains limited.

A study published in JAMA Network Open and led by Cynthia Fontanella, Ph.D., principal investigator for the Center for Suicide Prevention and Research at Nationwide Children's Hospital, is the first large-scale study to examine multi-level risk and protective factors for suicide among Medicaid-enrolled Black youth with a lifetime mental health diagnosis.

"We focused on a Medicaid population because Black youth are disproportionately covered by Medicaid compared to other child populations," says Dr. Fontanella. "They often face social and economic challenges that impact both health and health care navigation. This study allowed us to gain a deeper understanding of intragroup patterns with the hope of more targeted suicide prevention strategies."

The study included 875 Black youth aged 9–24 years who died by suicide between January 1, 2010, and December 31, 2019. Each suicide case was matched with 10 living controls (8,750 individuals) on age, sex and state. There was a total of 9,625 individuals, with 6,950 of them being males. All cases and controls were Medicaid-enrolled and had a documented lifetime mental health diagnosis.

The study found factors associated with increased odds of suicide included:

- Depression and schizophrenia/psychosis diagnoses

- Prior deliberate self-harm

- Prior psychiatric acute care

- Brain injury

- Exposure to violence

- Family relational problems

- Foster care and disability status

- Living in an urban community or in a county with a moderate to high socially vulnerable index—these counties face significant challenges due to poverty, low education, high unemployment, inadequate transportation or crowded housing.

#James Donaldson 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/JamesMentalHealthArticleFind out more about the work I do on my 501c3 non-profit foundationwebsite www.yourgiftoflife.org Order your copy of James Donaldson's latest book,#CelebratingYourGiftofLife: From The Verge of Suicide to a Life of Purpose and Joy

Click Here For More Information About James Donaldson

Click here to follow James Donaldson's Blog

The highest risk for suicide for Black youth was prior deliberate self-harm (56.4%). According to Dr. Fontanella, timely assessment and continuous follow-up after deliberate self-harm are crucial to decreasing the risk of suicide.

"Research shows that one of the highest risk periods for suicide in all youth is after hospitalization for psychiatric care," says Dr. Fontanella. "We need to target these critical periods. In a previous study, we found that kids that received a timely follow-up after hospitalization were significantly less likely to die by suicide. However, there are huge disparities in race. Black youth were less likely to receive follow-up, putting them at a greater risk."

Protective factors associated with decreased odds of suicide included diagnoses of anxiety and developmental disorders and living in a county with moderate to high rates of religious institutions.

"Community involvement and religiosity were found to be important protective factors for Black youth," says Dr. Fontanella. "This was a big finding. There is very little research looking at the direct impact of religion in these communities, so this is a definite area for further research. Learning what interventions are effective in this population, including culturally tailored interventions and psychosocial interventions are crucial." https://standingabovethecrowd.com/?p=16584

James Donaldson on Mental Health - Questions to Ask a Doctor Prescribing Medication to Your Child

Tips for minimizing side effects and getting good results

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

Writer: Hannah Sheldon-Dean

Many children with mental health challenges can benefit from taking medication, usually in combination with therapy. But finding the right medication and dosage takes time, and side effects can sometimes be a problem. That’s why kids who take medication should always be closely monitored by a doctor.

It’s important to find a doctor or psychiatrist who has experience using medication to treat the kind of issues your child is experiencing. The goal should be to find a provider who is thoughtful and well-informed, and who you and your child will be comfortable working with long-term. Your child’s doctor should be available to work with you until the medication is successful and be able to monitor your child as they change and grow.

#James Donaldson 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
Find out more about the work I do on my 501c3 non-profit foundation
website www.yourgiftoflife.org Order your copy of James Donaldson's latest book,
#CelebratingYourGiftofLife: From The Verge of Suicide to a Life of Purpose and Joy

Click Here For More Information About James Donaldson

Click here to follow James Donaldson's Blog

Above all, you want to work with professionals who communicate effectively with you, listen to your concerns and answer your questions. Here are some questions that anyone prescribing medication to your child should be able to answer:

- What is the generic name of this medication, and what do we know about how the active chemical ingredient works?
- What are the alternative medications, and why did you choose this one?
- If it’s effective, what will this medication do for my child?
- How do you arrive at the best dosage for this medication?
- How long does it take to work?
- What are the potential side effects?
- How will you measure the effectiveness of the medication?
- What kind of monitoring will you do while my child is on the medication?
- What’s the research on this medication?
- How many patients have you treated with this medication?
- How long should my child continue to take this medication?
- If we choose to stop using the medication, how slowly must it be discontinued, and how do you monitor that tapering-off process?

Knowing what you don’t want in a doctor can be as important as knowing what you do want. If the doctor proposes medication for your child without giving you a clear diagnosis, you should look elsewhere. Trying medications to see if they work can lead to inappropriate and ineffective treatment. Decisions about medication should be based on your child’s diagnosis, not the other way around. Look for a different doctor if yours says something like: “If this works, we’ll know more about what to diagnose.”

Another sign of possible trouble is if your child is struggling and your clinician is adding one medication after another. That approach makes it easy to lose track of what’s effective and what’s not. When kids are given medications to alleviate side effects of other medications, it may be time to get a second opinion.

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com https://795569.us22.myftpupload.com/james-donaldson-on-mental-health-questions-to-ask-a-doctor-prescribing-medication-to-your-child-2/