James Donaldson on Mental Health - Parental Suicide Linked to Higher Suicide Risk for Children

The aftermath of a parental suicide increases the child's risk of suicide.

By Robert T Muller Ph.D.

 Reviewed by Lybi Ma

THE BASICS

- Suicide Risk Factors and Signs
- Take our Depression Test
- Find a therapist near me
Key points
- Children internalize feelings of shame or self-blame in the wake of a parent who chose to die by suicide.
- Children who have lost a parent to suicide are three times more likely to die by suicide.
- This association may not only be because of trauma, but by hereditary and environmental factors.

According to the World Health Organization, more than 720,000 people die by suicide each year, and it remains the third leading cause of death for 15- to 29-year-olds. Many children are left to grieve the loss of a parent to suicide, a painful experience that often leads to mental health struggles such as depression, anxiety, and even thoughts of suicide themselves.

There is a 3.8 percent lifetime prevalence of suicide exposure within a family, which means that about 1 in 25 people will be directly affected by this tragedy. There are many adverse outcomes of dealing with parental suicide for children, including psychological issues such as post-traumatic stress disorder and substance use, social challenges around building healthy relationships or fears of intimacy, and even physical health concerns like cardiovascular disease.

Madelon Sprengnether, regents professor emerita at the University of Minnesota, reflects on her own experience grappling with the loss of her stepfather to what she believes was an intentional overdose. She recalls, “My feelings in the immediate aftermath of my stepfather’s death were a mix of horror, guilt, shame, and something like numbness.”

#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

Guilt is a common response when suicide occurs within a family. A study by Clémence Ceruzé and colleagues emphasizes how these feelings of guilt can complicate social connections. Children often internalize their emotions and develop feelings of shame or self-blame in an attempt to understand why a parent might choose to die by suicide.

Sprengnether’s struggles reflect the findings in Ceruzé’s research on the impact of suicide on social relationships: “My understanding now of what happened to me in the aftermath of my stepfather’s death is that I shut down emotionally. My natural shyness deepened, which made it hard for me to make friends in college, much less to find a boyfriend—both typical experiences for girls of my age.”

Alarmingly, research shows a significant increase in the risk of suicide and suicide attempts among the children of parents who have died by suicide. Specifically, children who have lost a parent to suicide are three times more likely to die by suicide and twice as likely to attempt suicide than children with two living parents.

Psychotherapist Colleen Mousseau serves as the clinical director of a therapy practice that supports grieving youth dealing with the loss of loved ones. Having worked with many child survivors of parental suicide, Mousseau understands the common occurrence of suicidal ideation among these bereaved youth and how this experience is relatively different from the grief associated with other causes of parental death.

“Many other causes of death can be explained in a way that quickly resolves feelings of guilt and responsibility. When someone dies by suicide, it can be difficult for those who are grieving to know where to place the blame. There can be deep feelings of betrayal, abandonment, and confusion that are difficult to resolve after a suicide.”

Several key factors may contribute to the higher prevalence of self-injurious behaviors among youth who have been previously exposed to suicide. Genetic factors like impulsive aggression and neuroticism can predispose a child to suicidal behaviors, as well as environmental influences before and after a parent's suicide, such as neglect, abuse, and family adversity. Imitation of a caregiver’s actions as a coping mechanism can also be a risk factor for suicide. Finally, the trauma of a parent’s suicide is enough to increase the likelihood of self-harm.

To help bereaved children, Mousseau suggests a safe and supportive space to understand, gain information, express feelings, and provide opportunities for connection with the person who passed away. Group-based support can especially help mitigate the isolation and loneliness associated with grieving parental suicide.

It is crucial to avoid placing blame on the family or child. It’s also important to use age-appropriate language and work with the surviving parent or other bereaved family members to encourage open, honest conversations and promote healing. This approach can be key in helping a child navigate their grief.

The need for effective therapy treatments, evidence-based programs, and family support interventions continues. A 2023 study explored a therapy program aimed at improving parenting practices known as the family bereavement program, which effectively reduced suicide risk among parentally bereaved children 6 to 15 years after the intervention.

In the aftermath of the tragic reality of suicide, loved ones are left to grapple with a range of intensely painful emotions. For children, especially, this can be confusing and even more devastating. However, healing is possible, and though the journey might look different for each individual, it often begins with having the right support. Fostering understanding and connection, rather than shame or isolation, is crucial in helping children cope with parental suicide.

https://standingabovethecrowd.com/james-donaldson-on-mental-health-parental-suicide-linked-to-higher-suicide-risk-for-children/

James Donaldson on Mental Health - Effective Communication Skills for Your Support System

Building and maintaining a strong support system is crucial for navigating the ups and downs of life. Whether it's family, friends, or colleagues, having a reliable network can make a significant difference. But how do you ensure that your support system is effective? The answer lies in communication. In this blog post, we'll explore the essential communication skills needed to strengthen your support network.

Table of Contents

1. Introduction

2. The Importance of a Support System

3. Key Communication Skills

3.1 Active Listening

3.2 Empathy and Understanding

3.3 Clarity and Conciseness

3.4 Non-Verbal Communication

3.5 Giving and Receiving Feedback

4. Overcoming Communication Barriers

5. Conclusion

6. FAQs

The Importance of a Support System

Support systems provide emotional, practical, and sometimes even financial assistance. They help us celebrate the good times and navigate the challenging ones. But the strength of a support system heavily depends on the quality of communication among its members. Without effective communication, misunderstandings, resentment, and conflicts can arise, weakening the bonds that hold the group together.

Key Communication Skills

Active Listening

Active listening is more than just hearing words; it's about understanding the message being conveyed. This involves paying full attention, acknowledging the speaker, and responding thoughtfully. Active listeners often use verbal affirmations like "I see," or "I understand" to demonstrate engagement and comprehension.

#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

Empathy and Understanding

Empathy is the ability to put yourself in someone else's shoes. It's about understanding their feelings and perspectives. When communicating within your support system, showing empathy can foster trust and strengthen relationships. It helps others feel seen and heard, which is crucial for a supportive environment.

Clarity and Conciseness

Clear and concise communication reduces the risk of misunderstandings. Being direct and straightforward without being harsh or abrupt ensures that your message is understood as intended. This is particularly important when discussing sensitive topics or giving instructions.

Non-Verbal Communication

Non-verbal cues such as body language, facial expressions, and tone of voice play a significant role in communication. They can convey emotions and attitudes that words alone might not. Being aware of your non-verbal communication can help you express yourself more effectively and read others better.

Giving and Receiving Feedback

A healthy support system thrives on constructive feedback. Offering feedback should be done with kindness and respect, focusing on the behavior rather than the person. Similarly, receiving feedback with an open mind shows maturity and a willingness to grow.

Overcoming Communication Barriers

Even with the best intentions, communication barriers can arise. These may include language differences, emotional barriers, or physical distractions. To overcome these, practice patience, seek clarification when needed, and be mindful of the context in which you're communicating. Sometimes, taking a step back and revisiting the conversation at a later time can also help.

Conclusion

Effective communication is the backbone of any strong support system. By honing skills like active listening, empathy, and clarity, you can foster stronger, more resilient relationships. Remember, communication is a two-way street, and everyone in your support system plays a role in maintaining it. With time and practice, you can overcome barriers and build a supportive network that stands the test of time.

FAQs

Q: What are the most important communication skills for a support system?

A: Active listening, empathy, clarity, non-verbal communication, and the ability to give and receive feedback are crucial.

Q: How can I improve my active listening skills?

A: Practice being fully present in conversations, use verbal affirmations, and ask questions to clarify understanding.

Q: What should I do if there's a communication breakdown in my support system?

A: Address the issue calmly, seek to understand the other person's perspective, and work together to find a resolution.

Q: Can non-verbal communication really impact understanding?

A: Yes, non-verbal cues can significantly enhance or hinder the message being conveyed, making it important to be aware of them.

https://standingabovethecrowd.com/effective-communication-skills-for-your-support-system/

James Donaldson on Mental Health - Why So Many Suicidal People Don't Seek Help

When someone in crisis starts to see suicide as "logical," seeking help can feel unnecessary

Konrad Michel M.D.

THE BASICS

- Suicide Risk Factors and Signs
- Take our Depression Test
- Find a therapist near me
Key points
- Thousands of people die by suicide each year without seeking help prior to their death.
- For suicidal people, suicide is often experienced as ego-syntonic, or in line with the person's sense of self.
- Because suicide may thus come to seem "normal" or "logical," mental health support can appear unnecessary.
- Therapists can help patients learn why they came to view suicide as an acceptable goal.

Fifty percent or more of people who die by suicide do not seek help before their deadly suicidal action. This phenomenon is found even in countries with high-quality services for suicidal people and a long tradition of national suicide prevention and research, such as Denmark .

This can perhaps be attributed in part to the various barriers to seeking help, such as stigmatisation, the fear of not being understood, and the fear of being admitted to a psychiatric institution and being treated against their will. There are important intrapersonal reasons for not seeking help, too.

Yet in a survey with 8,400 individuals who reported episodes of suicidal ideation in the past year, three-fourths said that they did not feel they needed mental health treatment . And in our own follow-up study of patients who had attempted suicide, 52 percent said that nobody could have helped to prevent their self-harm, and only 10 percent mentioned a health professional .

Why might this be?

How Suicide May Become an Ego-Syntonic Goal

Ego-syntonic is a psychoanalytic term, describing behaviors that are in harmony with a person’s sense of self. In hundreds of narrative interviews with patients who had attempted suicide, we found that in an acute emotional crisis—when the self is experienced as negative, useless, and broken—suicide may emerge as a “normal” solution to end it all, that is, as consistent with a highly negative sense of self.

Psychological pain and tunnel-thinking (dissociation) thus finally act as energizers to an ego-syntonic suicide action. Interestingly, immediately after an act of self-harm, people often switch back from an ego-syntonic experience to a distanced, ego-dystonic experience of their suicidal action.

In Bern, for instance, we have high bridges over the river Aare. People who survive the fall usually say that the moment they jumped, they realized that what they had just done was wrong. This was also the message of Kevin Hines, who survived a jump from the Golden Gate Bridge. The switch back is consistent with the concept of the suicidal mode as a switch-on, switch-off phenomenon .

Ego-syntonicity/dystonicity has conceptual similarities with the dual-processing theory . In our everyday decisions, we usually rely on what the authors call "system 1 thinking," which is intuitive, automatic, with little or no conscious input. However, in out-of-the-ordinary situations, "system 2" will usually be activated to override the decisions offered by system 1 in order to prevent us from making fatal decisions. System 2 is slower, characterized by explicit, conscious processing.

The question is why system 2 in the development toward suicide does not interfere with suicide as a life-threatening goal. The answer is that in a person’s negative self-evaluation related to mental pain, self-hate, and unbearable mental pain, probably with a history of repeated suicidal thoughts, suicide may appear as an acceptable, subjectively normal goal.

How a Video Technique Can Help Address Suicidal Actions

In ASSIP , a three-session, person-centered, highly collaborative therapy for patients with prior suicide attempts, we use the person’s suicide narrative—recorded on video in the first therapy session—for self-confrontation in the second session. Here, patients are put into the observer’s role, watching their suicide narrative—thus setting up system 2 to watch the patient's own ego-syntonic, system 1 suicide narrative.

With the support of the therapist, patients learn how suicide emerged as an acceptable goal in their lives. They gain insight into the danger of being caught in the tunnel vision of the suicidal mode, where suicide may appear as the only solution to end the suffering. They learn to recognize the trigger situations and warning signs, and how to mobilize their safety plans when necessary.

In a randomized controlled trial with 120 patients, ASSIP reduced the risk of suicide reattempts over a two-year follow-up period by 80 percent. We believe that the video-playback procedure is one of the main therapy components leading to a conscious revision of one’s own suicidal development

Here is an example of a patient’s feedback after the video self-confrontation.

Dear doctor

Since I have seen you I have been feeling unburdened. Although about a week ago I experienced again something like beginning thoughts about suicide, I do feel better than three weeks ago, after the suicide attempt. Since then I also talked more with friends, and I tried again and again to explain what happened.

I feel that the interview, and above all, watching together the video afterwards, gave me very much in terms of working through. Today it is clear to me what a “silly” idea such a suicide attempt, or suicide itself, is.

Again, many thanks! With best regards

R.W.

Where the Traditional Suicide-as-Illness Model Falls Short

The medical model assumes that people with health problems seek help. However, the fact is that thousands of people at risk of suicide do not seek help.

Theories of suicide based on a medical model do not match the psychological experience of the suicidal person. When faced with suicidal patients, the typical health professional will do a psychiatric assessment and decide on the indicated management of the patient. This illness-based approach is likely to miss what I call “the person in the patient.”

Suicidal ideation and behavior are always highly personal. People need to understand the dynamics of their own suicidality, to become aware of the warning signs before they enter the suicidal mode. A truly person-centred approach must be collaborative, in that the health professionals and patients work toward a shared understanding of the person’s existential vulnerability, suicide triggers, and warning signs.

#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

The Answer: Person-Centered Approaches to Suicidal Individuals

We need to move beyond the prevalent, risk-factor-based model of suicide and thus overcome the unfortunate disconnect between suicidal persons and health professionals. We need to promote and disseminate models of suicide that are meaningful to suicidal patients and their therapists.

Fortunately, there is now a growing and promising research interest into the role of a collaborative therapeutic working alliance with the suicidal person and narrative interviewing as moderating factors for therapy outcome .

Summary

Thousands of people die by suicide without prior contact with health professionals. A so far neglected reason is that suicidal individuals experience suicide as an ego-syntonic goal. This psychological phenomenon does not fit into the conceptual frame of medicine. Health professionals who are open to the psychological dynamics of the suicidal individual will be more effective in reducing suicide risk in their patients.

If you or someone you know is at risk of suicide, seek help immediately. In the U.S., call 988 or go to 988lifeline.org. Outside of the U.S., visit the International Resources page for suicide hotlines in your country.

https://standingabovethecrowd.com/james-donaldson-on-mental-health-why-so-many-suicidal-people-dont-seek-help/

James Donaldson on Mental Health - Emotional Regulation: The Role of Mind-Body Connection

In today's fast-paced world, maintaining emotional balance can feel like a complex puzzle. The mind-body connection plays a crucial role in achieving emotional regulation, an essential aspect of mental health. Understanding how our bodies and minds intertwine can offer profound insights into managing emotions effectively. In this blog post, we explore the mind-body connection's pivotal role in emotional regulation and how you can harness it to improve your well-being.

Table of Contents

1. Introduction to Emotional Regulation

2. Understanding the Mind-Body Connection

3. How the Mind-Body Connection Influences Emotions

4. Techniques to Enhance the Mind-Body Connection

5. Benefits of Effective Emotional Regulation

6. Conclusion

7. FAQs

Introduction to Emotional Regulation

Emotional regulation refers to the ability to manage and respond to emotional experiences in a healthy way. It involves not only recognizing and understanding our emotions but also controlling them when necessary. Whether it's anger, sadness, joy, or fear, regulating these emotions effectively is key to leading a balanced life.

Many struggle with emotional regulation due to stress, trauma, or simply the daily grind. Luckily, the mind-body connection offers a pathway to better manage these emotions, promoting a more harmonious life.

Understanding the Mind-Body Connection

The mind-body connection is the profound link between our mental states and physical well-being. This connection implies that our thoughts, feelings, beliefs, and attitudes can positively or negatively affect our biological functioning. In turn, what we do with our physical bodies can impact our mental state.

For instance, have you ever noticed how your mood lifts after a brisk walk or a session of yoga? This is a simple example of the mind-body connection at work. By tapping into this connection, we can influence our emotions and improve our mental health.

#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

How the Mind-Body Connection Influences Emotions

The mind-body connection can significantly impact emotional regulation. When we experience stress or anxiety, our body often responds with physical symptoms, such as increased heart rate or muscle tension. Conversely, physical relaxation can lead to mental calmness.

Practices such as mindful breathing, meditation, and physical exercise can help modulate the stress response, reducing the production of stress hormones like cortisol. This physiological change can enhance mood and emotional stability.

Furthermore, the mind-body connection acknowledges the role of the nervous system and the brain's neuroplasticity. By consistently engaging in mind-body practices, we can rewire our brain to respond more calmly to emotional triggers.

Techniques to Enhance the Mind-Body Connection

To leverage the mind-body connection for better emotional regulation, consider incorporating the following techniques into your routine:

Mindful Breathing

Mindful breathing involves focusing on your breath to anchor your thoughts and calm your mind. Practicing this regularly can help reduce stress and improve emotional control.

Meditation

Meditation encourages relaxation and mindfulness. It helps increase your awareness of your thoughts and emotions, allowing you to observe them without judgment.

Yoga

Yoga combines physical postures, breathing exercises, and meditation. It not only builds strength and flexibility but also enhances mental clarity and emotional resilience.

Physical Exercise

Regular physical activity boosts endorphins, the body's natural mood enhancers. Exercise can reduce stress and anxiety, promoting a more balanced emotional state.

Benefits of Effective Emotional Regulation

Emotional regulation through the mind-body connection offers numerous benefits. These include improved mental health, better stress management, enhanced relationships, and a greater sense of overall well-being. Individuals who effectively regulate their emotions often experience increased resilience, enabling them to handle life's challenges with grace and poise.

Additionally, emotional regulation can lead to improved focus and productivity, as emotional distractions are minimized. This can positively impact both personal and professional life.

Conclusion

Understanding and nurturing the mind-body connection is a powerful tool for emotional regulation. By integrating practices that enhance this connection into your daily routine, you can cultivate a more balanced and fulfilling life. Whether it's through mindful breathing, meditation, yoga, or regular physical exercise, the path to emotional well-being is within reach. Embrace the journey and witness the transformative effects on your mental health.

FAQs

What is emotional regulation?

Emotional regulation is the ability to manage and respond to emotional experiences in a healthy and balanced manner.

How does the mind-body connection affect emotions?

The mind-body connection affects emotions by influencing how our physical states impact mental states and vice versa. This connection can help modulate stress responses and improve emotional stability.

What are some mind-body practices for emotional regulation?

Mind-body practices for emotional regulation include mindful breathing, meditation, yoga, and physical exercise.

Can improving emotional regulation enhance mental health?

Yes, effective emotional regulation can lead to improved mental health, better stress management, and enhanced overall well-being.

https://standingabovethecrowd.com/emotional-regulation-the-role-of-mind-body-connection/

James Donaldson on Mental Health - Black Parents and the Importance of Cultural Competence in Therapy

And how to find the right therapist for your child

Writer: Sharon Boone

Clinical Experts: Rhonda Boyd, PhD , Ruth C. White, PhD, MPH, MSW , Christine M. Crawford, MD, MPH

What You'll Learn

- Why is there mistrust of mental health professionals among Black patients?
- Why is it so important that mental health providers are culturally competent?
- How can Black parents find Black and/or culturally competent therapists?
- Searching for Black mental health professionals
- A question of comfort and safety
- Cultural awareness affects quality of care
- Help finding Black mental health practitioners
- Finding culturally inclusive non-Black clinicians

When Grace W.’s son Denzel began acting out in class, the New York City-based copy editor was immediately concerned. Denzel, then aged eight, had always been a stellar student. In the gifted program at school, he had never gotten into trouble.

“He was also starting to have a lot of nightmares, and his teacher was calling every week to say that he was disrupting class,” Grace says. “This was not the Denzel I knew. We needed help.”

When Grace contacted her company’s Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for a referral to a mental health provider, she had a few requirements. “I wanted a child psychologist, someone with a practice near enough to go there after school easily, and I wanted them to be Black.”

Finding the first two items on her list was relatively easy, but locating a Black therapist proved much harder. After combing through the list of providers supplied by the EAP, Grace was dismayed to discover that none were Black. “I felt a Black counselor would be a more comfortable fit for Denzel and me,” she says. “I had to insist.” Grace called the administrator of the EAP directly. “The person I spoke with was Black and understood what I wanted,” she says. “It took some doing but we eventually found a Black woman in our area.”

Searching for Black mental health professionals

Finding a Black therapist isn’t easy. According to the 2022 Black Mental Health Workforce Survey, within the United States, only about 5% of psychologists, 7% of marriage and family counselors, 20% of social workers, and 11% of professional counselors are Black. And locating a Black child psychiatrist, specifically, can be even harder. Of the 10,500 child and adolescent psychiatrists currently practicing in the United States, “just 1% are Black,” says Christine M. Crawford, MD, MPH, an assistant professor of psychiatry at Boston University and an adult, child, and adolescent psychiatrist. “If you’re looking for a Black child psychiatrist, especially if you live in the South, Midwest, or a rural area, you’re looking for a unicorn.”

Despite the difficulty, recent research shows that, like Grace, many in the Black community have a strong preference for mental health professionals who look like them and share their cultural beliefs.

A new study conducted by the Child Mind Institute in partnership with the Steve Fund, surveyed 1,000 Black parents seeking care for their child and 500 young Black adults seeking care for themselves. The goal of the study was to garner insight into the experiences and views of Black families and youth around mental health within the United States, as well as identify the key barriers they continue to face. Nearly half of participants (both parents and young adults) said that they trusted a Black mental health professional over one who is white or a non-Black person of color.

“There’s a comfort level that parents get from a Black provider,” says Rhonda Boyd, PhD, associate director of the Child and Adolescent Mood Program at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. “When they feel like they’re understood and can, in turn, understand where the provider is coming from, it can make doing the assessment and understanding the treatment plan easier.”

A question of comfort and safety

There are many in the Black community who still view health care with suspicion. From the Tuskegee syphilis study to the forced sterilization of Black women and girls to the unauthorized harvesting and use of Henrietta Lacks’s cells, there’s a long history of mistreatment and outright racism in the health care system.

“There’s a reason why some in the Black community may not trust the medical establishment,” says Ruth C. White, PhD, MPH, MSW, a diversity trainer and former clinical associate professor in social work at the University of Southern California. “Historically we haven’t been treated well.”

For many, seeing a Black mental health professional can make it easier to put aside these concerns.

As a Black clinician, Dr. Crawford has seen firsthand how her presence affects patients. “There’s a look of relief on the faces of Black parents and caregivers when they meet with me for the first time,” she says. “There’s this sense that they can trust me, that there’s an understanding and an assumption that thediagnosis I provide won’t be rooted in bias or racism.”

This is particularly true when it comes to mental health care for children and adolescents. “There’s often a concern that if your kid were to express any mental health challenges or talk about difficult interactions that they might have with their parents, Child Protective Services is going to be called with that information,” Dr. Crawford says. “That’s how Black families are walking into their encounters with brand new mental health providers because of their life experience.”

Dr. White notes that Black parents may also be wary that receiving counseling for their children may expose them to systemic racism. “It’s important to understand that, historically, Black kids who were reported to have behavior problems were shunted to programs and tracked,” she says. “Parents may resist therapy because they don’t want their kids to get labeled.”

Cultural awareness affects quality of care

Nearly half of the participants in the Child Mind Institute study stated that white and non-Black POC mental health professionals often misunderstand or underestimate the effects racism can have on mental health. “Experiencing microaggressions and racism can lead to racial trauma which, in some people, can elicit symptoms that meet diagnostic criteria for PTSD, ” Dr. Crawford says. “When a clinician minimizes or invalidates their experiences, it can create a barrier to wanting to engage in treatment.”

And sometimes the issue is really a lack of cultural awareness. “Clients have told me when they’ve tried to talk about racism with a non-Black provider, it seemed to make the clinician very nervous.” Dr. White says. “And often, clients feel like, now I have to educate my therapist, that’s not what I came here for.”

That’s the situation Danielle D., a paralegal in East Orange, New Jersey, found herself in when she began seeing a white therapist she found through her school. “I remember telling her a story about my mom, and she reacted more stunned and enchanted to hear certain stories about growing up in a Caribbean household,” Danielle says. “She wasn’t derogatory or condescending, but I needed her to act like my therapist and not like a student I was teaching about my culture.”

Instead of being supported, Danielle felt let down. “She ??really couldn’t understand anything with regards to my family’s background, so I spent most of the time giving in-depth explanations about things a Black therapist would just get,” she says. “I met with her a handful of times before I stopped going and focused on finding a Black therapist.”

And after conducting a lengthy search, Danielle found a Black therapist near her. “Finding someone I can relate to and who could relate to me was key,” says Danielle. “With my other therapist, I just felt like I wasn’t being seen.”

#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

Help finding Black mental health practitioners

Locating a Black therapist may feel challenging, but there are some resources and strategies you can use to simplify the process. A good first step is to leverage your workplace resources, such as your company’s EAP. “It doesn’t hurt to ask them for help identifying Black clinicians,” Grace says. “Don’t overlook your health insurance company,” adds Dr. Boyd. “Ask if there are Black therapists available under your plan.”

If you don’t have access to an EAP, check out websites that provide directories of Black therapists. The following list is a good place to start your search:

- The Association of Black Psychologists
- Black Therapists Rock
- Clinicians of Color
- Inclusive Therapists
- InnoPsych
- Melanin & Mental Health
- Therapy for Black Girls

Once you decide that you’d like your therapist to be Black, it helps to think about what else you’re looking for. For instance, after Danielle narrowed down her search to a Black woman, she also looked for who saw clients in person and who was located within reasonable travel distance from her home. Then she began to comb through directories and asked friends for recommendations.

And if you know of a therapist who might not be right for your situation — say they specialize in couples counseling and you need someone who works with children — consider asking them for a recommendation. Clinicians often have a professional network and can guide you toward trusted practitioners. “Black Therapists Rock has over 20,000 members on its Facebook page,” says Dr. White. “People post saying they are looking, say, for a therapist who deals with Black adolescents in the Washington D.C., area, and members are happy to post referrals.”

Finding culturally inclusive non-Black clinicians

But given the deficit in Black mental health professionals in the United States, the best option may be a carefully chosen non-Black therapist. “I tell folks, do not let the color of your clinician’s skin be the barrier that keeps you from getting the help that you or your child needs,” says Dr. Crawford.

So, if you’re unable to find a Black provider, try to find a non-Black one who is inclusive and culturally sensitive. Changes in the way mental health professionals are taught and trained over the past decade are making this easier. “As someone who oversees the training programs for licensed mental health counselors, psychologists, and psychiatrists, I can tell you providing culturally competent care to people who aren’t of your same background is a required part of training,” Dr. Crawford says. “They’re trained on how to ask questions coming from a place of curiosity, rather than making assumptions or judgments about a patient based on the color of their skin.”

When meeting with any clinician for the first time, it can be helpful to come prepared with questions about their approach to therapy and what you can expect from a typical session. And when dealing with a non-Black therapist, asking about their experience in treating Black patients is key. “Ask explicitly if they are comfortable talking about race and racism and any issues that are important to you, and notice how they react,” says Dr. White. “If the question makes them squirm, if it gives them pause, if they display discomfort, then they may not be the right person for you.”

Dr. Crawford says when it comes to evaluating a non-Black therapist for your child, consider the artwork in the office, what books are on the shelves, and the color of the dolls in the room. “Ask yourself if this is an environment that communicates that all are welcome.”

Once you’ve chosen a clinician, remember those initial sessions with any mental health provider, no matter their race, can feel uncomfortable. “They’re asking a lot of questions and prying into very personal information in a way that may make you feel uneasy,” says Dr. Boyd. “It’s important that you give it a chance.”

Check in with your child regularly about their comfort level with the provider and schedule regular meetings with the provider to make sure everyone is on the same page. And after some time, if you feel like your kid doesn’t feel comfortable, you’re not seeing progress, or you’re unhappy with your interactions, have an open conversation about whether they’re still a good fit. “Therapists are trained to navigate these conversations,” Dr. Crawford says. “And parents should feel empowered to be active participants in their child’s mental health treatment.”

https://standingabovethecrowd.com/james-donaldson-on-mental-health-black-parents-and-the-importance-of-cultural-competence-in-therapy-2/

James Donaldson on Mental Health - Holiday mental health and suicide: Know the warning signs

By JOANNA SANDERS
The Jason Foundation

This time of year, filled with the holidays, quality time with friends and loved ones, and the sense of a fresh start can be a meaningful time for many. It’s a season most people look forward to, but for some, it can increase anxiety, depression and suicidal ideation. This holiday season, make time in your busy schedule to learn the warning signs of suicide, encourage your friends and family to do the same and know how to respond when someone asks for help.

Holidays can bring joy and connection, but they can also amplify feelings of isolation or sadness for those struggling with their mental health. Additional financial stress, increased social pressure and isolation can lead to serious mental health concerns if left unaddressed. In 2014, the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) found that 64 percent of individuals living with a mental illness reported their conditions worsened around the holidays. A 2021 survey found that three in five Americans feel their mental health is negatively affected by the holidays.

#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

Four out of five individuals considering suicide show some sign of their intentions, either verbally or behaviorally. Warning signs may include verbal threats about suicide, persistent depression, sudden changes in appearance or behavior and a loss of interest in hobbies once enjoyed. Recognizing these signs can help you respond before a situation becomes a crisis.

https://standingabovethecrowd.com/james-donaldson-on-mental-health-holiday-mental-health-and-suicide-know-the-warning-signs/

James Donaldson on Mental Health - Staying in unhappy marriages and mental health of children and adolescents: A large-scale cross-sectional study in China

Juan Wang, Yuqian He, Xuemei Li, Ziqian Wei, Xiaopeng, Yinzhe Wang, Tingting Lei, Dan Zhu, Xinyu Zhou

Highlights

- •About 34.56% to 41.56% of parents in unhappy relationships continue their marriage
- •Children and adolescents whose parents had an unhappy relationship but were not divorced experience more depressive and anxiety symptoms, non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI), and suicide risk than other peers, including those whose parents had unhappy-relationship and divorced.
- •The results were robust regardless of whether the interparental relationship was perceived by the students or self-reported by the parents

Abstract

Background

Some couples remain married despite being unhappy, for the sake of their children and adolescents. However, children and adolescents in families with unhappy marriages may be chronically expose to parental conflict, potentially increasing the risk of mental health problems more than divorce itself. Although plausible, this hypothesis has rarely been empirically tested using representative data.

Methods

This large-scale cross-sectional study involved 96,431 parent-child dyads in Chongqing, China. Participants were divided into seven groups based on parental marital status and interparental relationships. Mental health problems, including depressive and anxiety symptoms, non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) and suicide risk, was evaluated within dyads. Multivariate logistic regression was conducted to compare the risk of mental health problems among different groups.

Results

About 34.56?% to 41.56?% of parents in unhappy relationships continue their marriage. Children and adolescents in the unhappy-relationship-not-divorced parents group had higher odds of depressive and anxiety symptoms, NSSI and suicide risk compared to their peers in other groups, including those with divorced parents across different levels of interparental relationships. These findings were consistent regardless of whether the interparental relationship was reported by children and adolescents or the parents.

Conclusions

Public awareness should be raised that divorce may not be the worst option when parents are in an unhappy relationship, at least when considering the potential association with their child and adolescent mental health.

Introduction

Mental health problems in children and adolescents are major contributors to the global burden of disease (Merry et al., 2020), impacting an estimated 10–20?% of this age group wolrdwide (Fazel et al., 2014). Mental health problems in children and adolescents are associated with various later adverse outcomes, including developing mental disorders in adulthood (Calvete et al., 2019), suicide risk (Fergusson et al., 2005), problems in social functioning (Semkovska et al., 2019), and poor physical and mental health (Jamet et al., 2024). Therefore, identifying risk factors and taking preventive measures to avoid significant disease burdens becomes increasingly important.

Increasing evidence suggests that parents' marriage is an important risk factor for mental health of children and adolescents. Most previous studies have focused on the marital status, like divorce, which may be associated with a high risk of child and adolescent mental health problems, such as depression, anxiety (Tullius et al., 2022), non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) (F. Wang et al., 2021) and even suicide risk (Dube et al., 2001). However, some researchers have proposed that the poor marital quality of parent may has a more detrimental effect for children and adolescents than divorce (Brand et al., 2019). According to the family system theory, negative feelings from the marital subsystem could “spill over” to the parent-child subsystem and increase the risk of child and adolescent mental health problems (Erel and Burman, 1995; Stroud et al., 2015). Marital quality represents the valence of parental interaction (positive or negative), whereas marital status reflects the duration of the valence (divorce, short term; in marriage, long term). The family climate is usually oppressive and conflictual when parents are in an unhappy relationship (Harold and Sellers, 2018). The longer the child is immersed in such an atmosphere, the greater harm of the ‘spill-over effect’ (Kalmijn, 2015). Therefore, divorce may associate with the mental health problems of children and adolescents from families with positive relationships but it did not harm or even benefit the mental health of children and adolescents from families with negative relationships (Amato et al., 1995; Hanson, 1999).

However, epidemiological studies on the relationships between parents' marriage and the risk of child and adolescent depressive symptoms may not be valid enough to support the theory (Hanson, 1999). Most of studies only focused on one side of the marital status and qualities (O'Hara et al., 2019) and therefore could not directly answer whether divorce or non-divorce was worse for the risk of child and adolescent mental health problems at the same level of unhappy relationships. Second, dependent indicators in previous studies mainly focused on school adjustment and general feelings rather than direct indicators of psychiatric scales. Therefore, it remains unclear whether an unhappy marriage is associated with severe mental health problems, such as NSSI and suicide risk (Boduszek et al., 2021; Racine et al., 2021). Third, interparental relationship quality was usually self-reported by parents, but children's feelings may differ from their parents' perceptions, which may be more closely related to children's own mental health outcomes (Clements et al., 2014). Finally, previous studies were mainly conducted in a Western setting. Unlike individualism in Western countries, Chinese culture stresses sacrificing individual interests for the group benefits (Sun, 1991). Perhaps more Chinese parents would sacrifice their own happiness for the sake of their children. Therefore, clarifying how parental marital status and relationship quality relate to children's mental health problems in China is essential for parents' marriage decisions.

To help answer whether parents should stay in a terrible marriage for the sake of their children, the present study has categorized children into different groups based on their parental marital status (i.e., non-divorce, divorce or separation, remarried) and relationship quality (i.e., happy, so-so, unhappy) reported by the parent and the child, respectively. And then, comparing the risks of mental health problems (i.e., depressive symptoms, anxiety symptoms, NSSI, and suicide risk) in different groups. We hypothesize that children whose parents chose to maintain an unhappy marriage have the highest likelihood of developing mental health problems compared to children in other parental situations.

#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

Data source and participants

This study was part of a baseline investigation of a large cohort study aimed at assessing the mental health status of children in Chongqing, China. The Ethics Committee of the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University (2020–890) approved this study. Participants were recruited from all students in grades three through twelve in all primary and secondary schools (n?=?262) in Chongqing municipality spanning between September and December 2021. School officials were informed of

Results

Demographic characteristics and grouping results based on parental marital status and relationship quality are summarized in Table 1, Table 2. The educational levels of parents varied widely: 17.55?% of fathers and 22.46?% of mothers had completed primary school or less; 49.52?% of fathers and 45.55?% of mothers had completed middle school; 18.55?% of fathers and 18.01?% of mothers had completed secondary school; 12.93?% of fathers and 13.67?% of mothers held a bachelor's degree; and only

Discussion

To help answer whether children and adolescents whose parents maintained a marriage with an unhappy relationship have a higher risk of developing mental health problems, the current study compared the odds of depressive symptoms, anxiety symptoms, NSSI, and suicide risk of children and adolescents whose parents maintained a marriage with an unhappy relationship and those from other types of families. Results supported our hypotheses. Regardless of whether parental relationship quality was

Conclusions

Using a large-scale sample of parent-child dyad, this study revealed that children and adolescents whose parents maintain a marriage with an unhappy relationship had higher risks of depressive symptoms, anxiety symptoms, NSSI, and suicide risk, than children and adolescents with other parents, including those whose parents divorced and kept unhappy relationships. Such findings may not only challenge the knowledge of parents who endure an unhappy marriage for the sake of loving their offspring

https://standingabovethecrowd.com/james-donaldson-on-mental-health-staying-in-unhappy-marriages-and-mental-health-of-children-and-adolescents-a-large-scale-cross-sectional-study-in-china/