Photo by Public Domain Photography on Pexels.com
BY ANDREW WRIGHT
Eighth grader Jamari James works on a puzzle while visiting a sensory room at French Middle School, Wednesday, Nov. 3, 2021, in Topeka, Kan. The rooms are designed to relieve stresses faced by #students as they return to classrooms amid the ongoing #pandemic. Some #parents, repeating right-wing talking points about costs and spending, are complaining when their children's #schools fund #mentalhealth initiatives for #students.
The “usual suspects” who protest #CriticalRaceTheory have now turned to #mentalhealth programs, according to a recent article by NBC News. #Mentalhealthprofessionals employed by #school districts are now being charged with occupying “dangerous, worthless” jobs. All of this came up when Tara Eddins of Southlake, Texas, showed up at a #school board meeting demanding to know why the district was paying $90,000 per counselor to “give lessons to students on #suicideprevention.”
Shortly thereafter, the Southlake Families PAC, a conservative group backing opposition to anti-racism education proposals, sent out an email to its supporters in the district arguing #schools should “leave #mentalhealth and parenting to the #parents.” Calls to leave #mentalhealthcare to the home, behind closed doors as it were, are certainly not new. But they seem to have taken on a new life lately.
Some experts say we are in the midst of a “#mentalhealthcrisis” today in, a crisis disproportionately affecting youth. Psychiatric Times points out that the #COVID-19 #pandemic is, in part, to blame for restricting access to needed psychotherapy services. The journal says #mentalhealth-based emergency room visits increased for those between ages 5 and 11 by 24% in 2019, and for those between the ages of 12 and 17 by 31%.
The #mentalhealth dynamics of the #pandemic had both expected and surprising results. On the one hand, experiences of #depression, #anxiety, and substance abuse skyrocketed; on the other, #suicide rates did in fact decrease in general. A recent article in Scientific American argues that #mentalhealth as an industry, and care-giving in general, has shifted for the better.
It’s true that several psychological services and clinics were able to pivot to more accessible means of therapy during the #pandemic, such as telehealth-based services, and statistics overall suggested a move in the right direction for care. Bu there were still troubling disparities that general numbers hide. One of them is to be found in that decreasing #suicide rate: Although rates declined overall, rates of #suicide actually surged among people of color during the #pandemic. This is only one of the notable disparities in the field of #mentalhealth. In order to understand the divide better, we have to take a look at the #mentalhealthcare market.
When it comes to accessing #mentalhealthcare on the open market, there is a duality of approaches facing those seeking treatment. Therapy, psychotropic drugs, and social outreach make up one side, while self-care and the so-called “wellness industry” are the other. According to the #NationalAllianceofMentalIllness, the total costs of mental health treatments reached $225 billion in 2019. #Depression, meanwhile, was estimated to have caused $44 billion in losses to workplace productivity that year.
These numbers appear staggering, but they should be compared with revenue generated by the $4.5 trillion wellness industry— a sector in which companies peddle everything from crystals, teas, incense, and designer wear to yoga, meditation classes, and “mindfulness” seminars.
Although it’s quite easy to make the case that the wellness industry is not a real alternative to psychotherapy and medical care, the truth is that for many people it has appeal as an affordable alternative to medical treatment. The main problem is thus not the fact that the wellness industry acts as a substandard stand-in, but rather why real #mentalhealthcare costs so much and is so difficult to access.
Whether we’re talking about professional treatment or “holistic” products, both industries are offering commodities for sale on the market. They both depend on the logic of self-care—“look out for yourself”—and show a noticeable overlap with the neoliberal dictum of “hard work pays off.” People needing treatment find themselves working extra hours, seeking new jobs with proper benefits, carving out more time from their schedule, and more—all in order to gain access to or afford self-care.
But for those not seeking treatment, it would be a mistake to just say this is a problem for those looking for help. We all need good #mentalhealth, even if we haven’t thought ourselves in need of care. According to the #WorldHealthOrganization, #mentalhealth is defined as “a state of well-being whereby individuals recognize their abilities, are able to cope with the normal stresses of life, work productively and fruitfully, and make a contribution to their communities.” The key phrases that stand out are the “normal stresses of life,” “work productively,” and the social aspect of contributing to one’s community.
Indeed, these are certainly necessary criteria to feel a specific type of well-being. However, when “normal stresses” fall within the coordinates of capitalism, we are left to wonder, “What are normal stresses?” And there is the challenging problem of finding fulfilling and “productive work” in a system founded on estranged labor, a system which leaves one to sell their physical, mental, and emotional efforts for whatever value the “market” determines they’re worth.
If we attempt to interrogate the “normal stresses” of any one person’s life, we can imagine that someone with food security, unquestioned access to clean water, unpolluted air to breathe, and proper health benefits would experience less of the “normal stresses” than someone who lives in a food desert which is considered a minority community, has no guarantee of clean water, and has to depend on public transit and or a second job to survive.
Yet we are barraged with injunctions to take more time to ourselves, eat better, drink more water, and breathe right. These, we are assured, are the proper foundation to any form of good health.
It’s one thing to relativize “normal” here, but it’s another thing entirely to understand that those who don’t meet the criteria of “normal” are foreclosed from any sort of #mentalhealth whatsoever. The core conclusion of the “self-care” argument then becomes clear: #Mentalhealth is for those who can afford it.
This is the state of #mentalhealth discourse in the U.S. today. Going back to Southlake, Texas, we have to ask whether tackling this is this something #parents can take on themselves?
That complaining mom Tara Eddins argues, “At Carroll , you are actually advertising #suicide.” Of course, Eddins takes the “contagion” approach, where to even talk about #suicide to young people increases their interest with it. Like almost any observation, it isn’t without its kernel of truth. #Suicidecontagion is, in fact, a real phenomenon and speaks to the social role of both #suicide and mental well-being. However, her criticism misses the mark entirely: Not only is the idea of #suicide already entirely ubiquitous today anyway, but repressing #suicide as a topic of conversation will only make its return in reality all the more traumatic.
Forbidding discussion of it also has major effects on those grieving after a loss by #suicide. If a #parent does not want their #child hearing about #suicide at all, what hope does the #child have of talking about any #mentalhealth concerns with their #parents?
Indeed, it is evident that as this current crisis gets worse, families are not any more equipped to confront it than the #mentalhealthcare industry is. Certainly, religion and the implicit morality of what passes for “family values” is at work in the arguments by those like Eddins, but it should be remembered that her original complaint was actually about the #school district’s budget.
Regardless of whether or not the critics like her attacking #schools are sincere in their concern about the proper time and place for #children to receive #mentalhealth information, the real argument being made is clear: It comes down to money.
The truth of the matter is that the U.S. is facing not just a #mentalhealthcrisis; what we’re really up against is a mental care crisis. If someone cannot afford the means to attain mental stability and well-being, their #mentalhealth is deemed worthless by the market. Where Eddins properly misses the point is in the fact that the district’s employing of counselors is actually affordable care—purchased by individuals on the market, these services can cost over $10,000 a year per #patient (using #depression as the model here). What Eddins’ argument overshadows is that #mentalhealthcare is available to her child, yet she wants to close off that access.
The ‘wellness’ industry peddles everything from crystals and incense to tea and yoga, and more. | AP
#JamesDonaldson notes:
Welcome to the “next chapter” of my life… being a voice and an advocate for #mentalhealthawarenessandsuicideprevention, especially pertaining to our younger generation of students and student-athletes.
Getting men to speak up and reach out for help and assistance is one of my passions. Us men need to not suffer in silence or drown our sorrows in alcohol, hang out at bars and strip joints, or get involved with drug use.
Having gone through a recent bout of #depression and #suicidalthoughts myself, I realize now, that I can make a huge difference in the lives of so many by sharing my story, and by sharing various resources I come across as I work in this space. #http://bit.ly/JamesMentalHealthArticle
If #mentalhealthcare is to become more accessible, attention must be focused on the two factors of affordability and availability. If receiving any sort of proper care was only a matter of access, people wouldn’t avoid calling ambulances because of the expected bill; we wouldn’t need to start GoFundMe campaigns to afford insulin; and we wouldn’t need so much literature on how to find “affordable” #mentalhealthcare.
As this article from CNBC points out, “access to care can prohibitively expensive” which points out the inherent limit of the word “access” leaving one to wonder why we celebrate its use when we hear stories on new grocery stores opening or arguments of how hunger has been declining for years—a fact that is not only no longer true but meant nothing to those whose state-of-being didn’t change by having more access. “Access” is not enough without money.
Without talking about affordability and availability, the focus on #mentalhealth, rather than care, puts the onus on the individual. Despite #mentalhealth becoming more “accessible” today, these questions are still to be addressed. But then again, perhaps they’ve already been answered. The #mentalhealth deficit can only be fully understood as not so much the individual issues of the mentally ill or suicidal but rather more as the structural inequality of a double-sided market that sees symptoms as opportunities for profit—whether via traditional therapy or “wellness solutions.” Until our care industry is fixed, the so-called #mentalhealthcrisis is here to stay.
CONTRIBUTOR
Andrew Wright
Andrew Wright is an essayist and activist based out of Detroit. He has written and presented on topics such as #suicide and #mentalhealth, class struggle, gender studies, politics, ideology, and philosophy.
Photo by Public Domain Photography on Pexels.com
https://standingabovethecrowd.com/?p=8540
Friday, December 31, 2021
Photo by Public Domain Photography on Pexels.com
BY ANDREW WRIGHT
Eighth grader Jamari James works on a puzzle while visiting a sensory room at French Middle School, Wednesday, Nov. 3, 2021, in Topeka, Kan. The rooms are designed to relieve stresses faced by #students as they return to classrooms amid the ongoing #pandemic. Some #parents, repeating right-wing talking points about costs and spending, are complaining when their children's #schools fund #mentalhealth initiatives for #students.
The “usual suspects” who protest #CriticalRaceTheory have now turned to #mentalhealth programs, according to a recent article by NBC News. #Mentalhealthprofessionals employed by #school districts are now being charged with occupying “dangerous, worthless” jobs. All of this came up when Tara Eddins of Southlake, Texas, showed up at a #school board meeting demanding to know why the district was paying $90,000 per counselor to “give lessons to students on #suicideprevention.”
Shortly thereafter, the Southlake Families PAC, a conservative group backing opposition to anti-racism education proposals, sent out an email to its supporters in the district arguing #schools should “leave #mentalhealth and parenting to the #parents.” Calls to leave #mentalhealthcare to the home, behind closed doors as it were, are certainly not new. But they seem to have taken on a new life lately.
Some experts say we are in the midst of a “#mentalhealthcrisis” today in, a crisis disproportionately affecting youth. Psychiatric Times points out that the #COVID-19 #pandemic is, in part, to blame for restricting access to needed psychotherapy services. The journal says #mentalhealth-based emergency room visits increased for those between ages 5 and 11 by 24% in 2019, and for those between the ages of 12 and 17 by 31%.
The #mentalhealth dynamics of the #pandemic had both expected and surprising results. On the one hand, experiences of #depression, #anxiety, and substance abuse skyrocketed; on the other, #suicide rates did in fact decrease in general. A recent article in Scientific American argues that #mentalhealth as an industry, and care-giving in general, has shifted for the better.
It’s true that several psychological services and clinics were able to pivot to more accessible means of therapy during the #pandemic, such as telehealth-based services, and statistics overall suggested a move in the right direction for care. Bu there were still troubling disparities that general numbers hide. One of them is to be found in that decreasing #suicide rate: Although rates declined overall, rates of #suicide actually surged among people of color during the #pandemic. This is only one of the notable disparities in the field of #mentalhealth. In order to understand the divide better, we have to take a look at the #mentalhealthcare market.
When it comes to accessing #mentalhealthcare on the open market, there is a duality of approaches facing those seeking treatment. Therapy, psychotropic drugs, and social outreach make up one side, while self-care and the so-called “wellness industry” are the other. According to the #NationalAllianceofMentalIllness, the total costs of mental health treatments reached $225 billion in 2019. #Depression, meanwhile, was estimated to have caused $44 billion in losses to workplace productivity that year.
These numbers appear staggering, but they should be compared with revenue generated by the $4.5 trillion wellness industry— a sector in which companies peddle everything from crystals, teas, incense, and designer wear to yoga, meditation classes, and “mindfulness” seminars.
Although it’s quite easy to make the case that the wellness industry is not a real alternative to psychotherapy and medical care, the truth is that for many people it has appeal as an affordable alternative to medical treatment. The main problem is thus not the fact that the wellness industry acts as a substandard stand-in, but rather why real #mentalhealthcare costs so much and is so difficult to access.
Whether we’re talking about professional treatment or “holistic” products, both industries are offering commodities for sale on the market. They both depend on the logic of self-care—“look out for yourself”—and show a noticeable overlap with the neoliberal dictum of “hard work pays off.” People needing treatment find themselves working extra hours, seeking new jobs with proper benefits, carving out more time from their schedule, and more—all in order to gain access to or afford self-care.
But for those not seeking treatment, it would be a mistake to just say this is a problem for those looking for help. We all need good #mentalhealth, even if we haven’t thought ourselves in need of care. According to the #WorldHealthOrganization, #mentalhealth is defined as “a state of well-being whereby individuals recognize their abilities, are able to cope with the normal stresses of life, work productively and fruitfully, and make a contribution to their communities.” The key phrases that stand out are the “normal stresses of life,” “work productively,” and the social aspect of contributing to one’s community.
Indeed, these are certainly necessary criteria to feel a specific type of well-being. However, when “normal stresses” fall within the coordinates of capitalism, we are left to wonder, “What are normal stresses?” And there is the challenging problem of finding fulfilling and “productive work” in a system founded on estranged labor, a system which leaves one to sell their physical, mental, and emotional efforts for whatever value the “market” determines they’re worth.
If we attempt to interrogate the “normal stresses” of any one person’s life, we can imagine that someone with food security, unquestioned access to clean water, unpolluted air to breathe, and proper health benefits would experience less of the “normal stresses” than someone who lives in a food desert which is considered a minority community, has no guarantee of clean water, and has to depend on public transit and or a second job to survive.
Yet we are barraged with injunctions to take more time to ourselves, eat better, drink more water, and breathe right. These, we are assured, are the proper foundation to any form of good health.
It’s one thing to relativize “normal” here, but it’s another thing entirely to understand that those who don’t meet the criteria of “normal” are foreclosed from any sort of #mentalhealth whatsoever. The core conclusion of the “self-care” argument then becomes clear: #Mentalhealth is for those who can afford it.
This is the state of #mentalhealth discourse in the U.S. today. Going back to Southlake, Texas, we have to ask whether tackling this is this something #parents can take on themselves?
That complaining mom Tara Eddins argues, “At Carroll , you are actually advertising #suicide.” Of course, Eddins takes the “contagion” approach, where to even talk about #suicide to young people increases their interest with it. Like almost any observation, it isn’t without its kernel of truth. #Suicidecontagion is, in fact, a real phenomenon and speaks to the social role of both #suicide and mental well-being. However, her criticism misses the mark entirely: Not only is the idea of #suicide already entirely ubiquitous today anyway, but repressing #suicide as a topic of conversation will only make its return in reality all the more traumatic.
Forbidding discussion of it also has major effects on those grieving after a loss by #suicide. If a #parent does not want their #child hearing about #suicide at all, what hope does the #child have of talking about any #mentalhealth concerns with their #parents?
Indeed, it is evident that as this current crisis gets worse, families are not any more equipped to confront it than the #mentalhealthcare industry is. Certainly, religion and the implicit morality of what passes for “family values” is at work in the arguments by those like Eddins, but it should be remembered that her original complaint was actually about the #school district’s budget.
Regardless of whether or not the critics like her attacking #schools are sincere in their concern about the proper time and place for #children to receive #mentalhealth information, the real argument being made is clear: It comes down to money.
The truth of the matter is that the U.S. is facing not just a #mentalhealthcrisis; what we’re really up against is a mental care crisis. If someone cannot afford the means to attain mental stability and well-being, their #mentalhealth is deemed worthless by the market. Where Eddins properly misses the point is in the fact that the district’s employing of counselors is actually affordable care—purchased by individuals on the market, these services can cost over $10,000 a year per #patient (using #depression as the model here). What Eddins’ argument overshadows is that #mentalhealthcare is available to her child, yet she wants to close off that access.
The ‘wellness’ industry peddles everything from crystals and incense to tea and yoga, and more. | AP
#JamesDonaldson notes:
Welcome to the “next chapter” of my life… being a voice and an advocate for #mentalhealthawarenessandsuicideprevention, especially pertaining to our younger generation of students and student-athletes.
Getting men to speak up and reach out for help and assistance is one of my passions. Us men need to not suffer in silence or drown our sorrows in alcohol, hang out at bars and strip joints, or get involved with drug use.
Having gone through a recent bout of #depression and #suicidalthoughts myself, I realize now, that I can make a huge difference in the lives of so many by sharing my story, and by sharing various resources I come across as I work in this space. #http://bit.ly/JamesMentalHealthArticle
If #mentalhealthcare is to become more accessible, attention must be focused on the two factors of affordability and availability. If receiving any sort of proper care was only a matter of access, people wouldn’t avoid calling ambulances because of the expected bill; we wouldn’t need to start GoFundMe campaigns to afford insulin; and we wouldn’t need so much literature on how to find “affordable” #mentalhealthcare.
As this article from CNBC points out, “access to care can prohibitively expensive” which points out the inherent limit of the word “access” leaving one to wonder why we celebrate its use when we hear stories on new grocery stores opening or arguments of how hunger has been declining for years—a fact that is not only no longer true but meant nothing to those whose state-of-being didn’t change by having more access. “Access” is not enough without money.
Without talking about affordability and availability, the focus on #mentalhealth, rather than care, puts the onus on the individual. Despite #mentalhealth becoming more “accessible” today, these questions are still to be addressed. But then again, perhaps they’ve already been answered. The #mentalhealth deficit can only be fully understood as not so much the individual issues of the mentally ill or suicidal but rather more as the structural inequality of a double-sided market that sees symptoms as opportunities for profit—whether via traditional therapy or “wellness solutions.” Until our care industry is fixed, the so-called #mentalhealthcrisis is here to stay.
CONTRIBUTOR
Andrew Wright
Andrew Wright is an essayist and activist based out of Detroit. He has written and presented on topics such as #suicide and #mentalhealth, class struggle, gender studies, politics, ideology, and philosophy.
Photo by Public Domain Photography on Pexels.com
https://standingabovethecrowd.com/?p=8540
BY ANDREW WRIGHT
Eighth grader Jamari James works on a puzzle while visiting a sensory room at French Middle School, Wednesday, Nov. 3, 2021, in Topeka, Kan. The rooms are designed to relieve stresses faced by #students as they return to classrooms amid the ongoing #pandemic. Some #parents, repeating right-wing talking points about costs and spending, are complaining when their children's #schools fund #mentalhealth initiatives for #students.
The “usual suspects” who protest #CriticalRaceTheory have now turned to #mentalhealth programs, according to a recent article by NBC News. #Mentalhealthprofessionals employed by #school districts are now being charged with occupying “dangerous, worthless” jobs. All of this came up when Tara Eddins of Southlake, Texas, showed up at a #school board meeting demanding to know why the district was paying $90,000 per counselor to “give lessons to students on #suicideprevention.”
Shortly thereafter, the Southlake Families PAC, a conservative group backing opposition to anti-racism education proposals, sent out an email to its supporters in the district arguing #schools should “leave #mentalhealth and parenting to the #parents.” Calls to leave #mentalhealthcare to the home, behind closed doors as it were, are certainly not new. But they seem to have taken on a new life lately.
Some experts say we are in the midst of a “#mentalhealthcrisis” today in, a crisis disproportionately affecting youth. Psychiatric Times points out that the #COVID-19 #pandemic is, in part, to blame for restricting access to needed psychotherapy services. The journal says #mentalhealth-based emergency room visits increased for those between ages 5 and 11 by 24% in 2019, and for those between the ages of 12 and 17 by 31%.
The #mentalhealth dynamics of the #pandemic had both expected and surprising results. On the one hand, experiences of #depression, #anxiety, and substance abuse skyrocketed; on the other, #suicide rates did in fact decrease in general. A recent article in Scientific American argues that #mentalhealth as an industry, and care-giving in general, has shifted for the better.
It’s true that several psychological services and clinics were able to pivot to more accessible means of therapy during the #pandemic, such as telehealth-based services, and statistics overall suggested a move in the right direction for care. Bu there were still troubling disparities that general numbers hide. One of them is to be found in that decreasing #suicide rate: Although rates declined overall, rates of #suicide actually surged among people of color during the #pandemic. This is only one of the notable disparities in the field of #mentalhealth. In order to understand the divide better, we have to take a look at the #mentalhealthcare market.
When it comes to accessing #mentalhealthcare on the open market, there is a duality of approaches facing those seeking treatment. Therapy, psychotropic drugs, and social outreach make up one side, while self-care and the so-called “wellness industry” are the other. According to the #NationalAllianceofMentalIllness, the total costs of mental health treatments reached $225 billion in 2019. #Depression, meanwhile, was estimated to have caused $44 billion in losses to workplace productivity that year.
These numbers appear staggering, but they should be compared with revenue generated by the $4.5 trillion wellness industry— a sector in which companies peddle everything from crystals, teas, incense, and designer wear to yoga, meditation classes, and “mindfulness” seminars.
Although it’s quite easy to make the case that the wellness industry is not a real alternative to psychotherapy and medical care, the truth is that for many people it has appeal as an affordable alternative to medical treatment. The main problem is thus not the fact that the wellness industry acts as a substandard stand-in, but rather why real #mentalhealthcare costs so much and is so difficult to access.
Whether we’re talking about professional treatment or “holistic” products, both industries are offering commodities for sale on the market. They both depend on the logic of self-care—“look out for yourself”—and show a noticeable overlap with the neoliberal dictum of “hard work pays off.” People needing treatment find themselves working extra hours, seeking new jobs with proper benefits, carving out more time from their schedule, and more—all in order to gain access to or afford self-care.
But for those not seeking treatment, it would be a mistake to just say this is a problem for those looking for help. We all need good #mentalhealth, even if we haven’t thought ourselves in need of care. According to the #WorldHealthOrganization, #mentalhealth is defined as “a state of well-being whereby individuals recognize their abilities, are able to cope with the normal stresses of life, work productively and fruitfully, and make a contribution to their communities.” The key phrases that stand out are the “normal stresses of life,” “work productively,” and the social aspect of contributing to one’s community.
Indeed, these are certainly necessary criteria to feel a specific type of well-being. However, when “normal stresses” fall within the coordinates of capitalism, we are left to wonder, “What are normal stresses?” And there is the challenging problem of finding fulfilling and “productive work” in a system founded on estranged labor, a system which leaves one to sell their physical, mental, and emotional efforts for whatever value the “market” determines they’re worth.
If we attempt to interrogate the “normal stresses” of any one person’s life, we can imagine that someone with food security, unquestioned access to clean water, unpolluted air to breathe, and proper health benefits would experience less of the “normal stresses” than someone who lives in a food desert which is considered a minority community, has no guarantee of clean water, and has to depend on public transit and or a second job to survive.
Yet we are barraged with injunctions to take more time to ourselves, eat better, drink more water, and breathe right. These, we are assured, are the proper foundation to any form of good health.
It’s one thing to relativize “normal” here, but it’s another thing entirely to understand that those who don’t meet the criteria of “normal” are foreclosed from any sort of #mentalhealth whatsoever. The core conclusion of the “self-care” argument then becomes clear: #Mentalhealth is for those who can afford it.
This is the state of #mentalhealth discourse in the U.S. today. Going back to Southlake, Texas, we have to ask whether tackling this is this something #parents can take on themselves?
That complaining mom Tara Eddins argues, “At Carroll , you are actually advertising #suicide.” Of course, Eddins takes the “contagion” approach, where to even talk about #suicide to young people increases their interest with it. Like almost any observation, it isn’t without its kernel of truth. #Suicidecontagion is, in fact, a real phenomenon and speaks to the social role of both #suicide and mental well-being. However, her criticism misses the mark entirely: Not only is the idea of #suicide already entirely ubiquitous today anyway, but repressing #suicide as a topic of conversation will only make its return in reality all the more traumatic.
Forbidding discussion of it also has major effects on those grieving after a loss by #suicide. If a #parent does not want their #child hearing about #suicide at all, what hope does the #child have of talking about any #mentalhealth concerns with their #parents?
Indeed, it is evident that as this current crisis gets worse, families are not any more equipped to confront it than the #mentalhealthcare industry is. Certainly, religion and the implicit morality of what passes for “family values” is at work in the arguments by those like Eddins, but it should be remembered that her original complaint was actually about the #school district’s budget.
Regardless of whether or not the critics like her attacking #schools are sincere in their concern about the proper time and place for #children to receive #mentalhealth information, the real argument being made is clear: It comes down to money.
The truth of the matter is that the U.S. is facing not just a #mentalhealthcrisis; what we’re really up against is a mental care crisis. If someone cannot afford the means to attain mental stability and well-being, their #mentalhealth is deemed worthless by the market. Where Eddins properly misses the point is in the fact that the district’s employing of counselors is actually affordable care—purchased by individuals on the market, these services can cost over $10,000 a year per #patient (using #depression as the model here). What Eddins’ argument overshadows is that #mentalhealthcare is available to her child, yet she wants to close off that access.
The ‘wellness’ industry peddles everything from crystals and incense to tea and yoga, and more. | AP
#JamesDonaldson notes:
Welcome to the “next chapter” of my life… being a voice and an advocate for #mentalhealthawarenessandsuicideprevention, especially pertaining to our younger generation of students and student-athletes.
Getting men to speak up and reach out for help and assistance is one of my passions. Us men need to not suffer in silence or drown our sorrows in alcohol, hang out at bars and strip joints, or get involved with drug use.
Having gone through a recent bout of #depression and #suicidalthoughts myself, I realize now, that I can make a huge difference in the lives of so many by sharing my story, and by sharing various resources I come across as I work in this space. #http://bit.ly/JamesMentalHealthArticle
If #mentalhealthcare is to become more accessible, attention must be focused on the two factors of affordability and availability. If receiving any sort of proper care was only a matter of access, people wouldn’t avoid calling ambulances because of the expected bill; we wouldn’t need to start GoFundMe campaigns to afford insulin; and we wouldn’t need so much literature on how to find “affordable” #mentalhealthcare.
As this article from CNBC points out, “access to care can prohibitively expensive” which points out the inherent limit of the word “access” leaving one to wonder why we celebrate its use when we hear stories on new grocery stores opening or arguments of how hunger has been declining for years—a fact that is not only no longer true but meant nothing to those whose state-of-being didn’t change by having more access. “Access” is not enough without money.
Without talking about affordability and availability, the focus on #mentalhealth, rather than care, puts the onus on the individual. Despite #mentalhealth becoming more “accessible” today, these questions are still to be addressed. But then again, perhaps they’ve already been answered. The #mentalhealth deficit can only be fully understood as not so much the individual issues of the mentally ill or suicidal but rather more as the structural inequality of a double-sided market that sees symptoms as opportunities for profit—whether via traditional therapy or “wellness solutions.” Until our care industry is fixed, the so-called #mentalhealthcrisis is here to stay.
CONTRIBUTOR
Andrew Wright
Andrew Wright is an essayist and activist based out of Detroit. He has written and presented on topics such as #suicide and #mentalhealth, class struggle, gender studies, politics, ideology, and philosophy.
Photo by Public Domain Photography on Pexels.com
https://standingabovethecrowd.com/?p=8540
#Mentalhealthexperts assumed that people of all races had the same risk factors for self-harm. Emerging evidence suggests that is not the case.
Photo by August de Richelieu on Pexels.com
By Christina Caron
Joe was 17 when he decided life wasn’t worth living.
He was tired of the violence in his Boston neighborhood, where his older brother had spent more than a year recovering from a gunshot wound to his leg. And he was especially tired of the comments about his weight.
“You think you can sit on that chair?” his classmates would ask.
Other times they were more direct, saying simply: “You’re fat.”
“Sometimes I’d be so depressed I wouldn’t eat for three days,” said Joe, now 25, who was a lineman on his high school’s football team.
(Joe’s surname and that of another young person interviewed for this article are being withheld to protect their privacy. Joe is being identified by his middle name.)
He thought about ending his life if the bullying didn’t stop. Those thoughts eventually became so pervasive that one day he came home from #school and took a small handful of pills. But it was enough only to produce a bad stomachache.
Months later, he was still feeling depressed. “Let me go see a therapist. My head’s not right,” he told his father. “I’m having these thoughts of killing myself — that you’d all be better without me here.”
Joe still remembers his father’s response: “That’s not true. We love you. But you want to talk to somebody and tell someone that? They’re going to think you’re crazy.”
Over the past generation, a #mentalhealthcrisis has been brewing among #Black youths like Joe, one that very few people — including #Black families — have spoken about publicly. Self-reported #suicide attempts rose nearly 80 percent among #Black #adolescents from 1991 to 2019, while the prevalence of attempts did not change significantly among those of other #races and #ethnicities. Legislators and academics are now pushing for better research to understand why, especially in light of new evidence that suggests #Black #children may have unique risk factors for self-harm.
#JamesDonaldson notes:
Welcome to the “next chapter” of my life… being a voice and an advocate for #mentalhealthawarenessandsuicideprevention, especially pertaining to our younger generation of students and student-athletes.
Getting men to speak up and reach out for help and assistance is one of my passions. Us men need to not suffer in silence or drown our sorrows in alcohol, hang out at bars and strip joints, or get involved with drug use.
Having gone through a recent bout of #depression and #suicidalthoughts myself, I realize now, that I can make a huge difference in the lives of so many by sharing my story, and by sharing various resources I come across as I work in this space. #http://bit.ly/JamesMentalHealthArticle
‘I Didn’t Necessarily Want to Die’
One study of #highschool #students, published in September, found that the #Black #teenagers surveyed were more likely than the white #teenagers to have attempted #suicide without first having suicidal thoughts or plans. Because #suicide screening questionnaires typically ask whether people are having suicidal thoughts or have made plans to hurt themselves, the authors speculated that the questionnaires might fail to identify some #Black #youths who are at risk of #suicide, or that there could be additional factors that might indicate a need for intervention.
More research is needed, but a government study conducted last year suggested that #Black #children and #adolescents who died by #suicide were more likely than white #youths to have experienced a crisis in the two weeks before they died. They were also more likely to have had a family relationship problem, argument or conflict, or a history of #suicideattempts.
Jordan Burnham, who survived a jump from a ninth-story window when he was 18, said that if he had been asked whether he was planning to kill himself that day, the answer would have been no.
“I couldn’t even think that far ahead,” he said.
The fall broke his pelvis, shattered his left leg and fractured his wrist, skull and jaw. It would be four years before he could walk again.
“I didn’t necessarily want to die,” added Mr. Burnham, who is now 32 and visits as many as 60 #schools a year to speak about #suicideprevention and #mentalillness. “But the part of me that had #depression and shame and sadness everyday — I wanted that pain to die. I wanted that part to go away.”
On the day of his #suicideattempt, he was confronted by his #parents about a stash of #alcohol that they had found in his car. Although Mr. Burnham was diagnosed with #depression as a #teenager, he became so good at hiding it that even his own family members, who were loving and supportive, did not fully understand how much pain he held inside — or the extent to which he felt like an outsider as one of the few #Black #students at a mostly white #school in suburban Philadelphia.
#Suicide and #mentalillness are often thought of as a “white phenomenon,” said Michael A. Lindsey, the executive director of the McSilver Institute for Poverty Policy and Research at New York University, who studies the #mentalhealth of #Black #adolescents.
Looking at the raw numbers, it’s easy to understand why. White deaths by #suicide far outnumber those of #Black people. But when taking into account #youth #suicide rates — the number of suicides per 100,000 individuals under age 25 — a different picture emerges.
“I think the statistics are shocking,” said Dr. Lindsey, who was the first to document trends in rising #suicide attempts among #Black #adolescents.
A 2018 study found that while the #suicide rate of #Black #children 5 to 12 was low, it was nearly twice that of white #children in the same age group. In one of the most recent examples, a 10-year-old #Black #girl with #autism died by #suicide in Utah in early November. Her #parents said she had been subjected to #racist bullying by her classmates.
Among #teenagers and young #adults, #suicide rates remain highest among whites, #NativeAmericans and Alaska Natives. But while the #suicide rate has recently declined among those groups, it has continued to rise among #Black #youths. From 2013 to 2019 the #suicide rate of #Black #boys and #men 15 to 24 years old rose by 47 percent, and by 59 percent for #Black #girls and #women of the same age.
#Adolescents of color who identify as #LGBTQ. may be especially at risk of a #suicideattempt, according to a national survey conducted by the Trevor Project, a #suicideprevention group for #LGBTQ #youth.
Despite the #racial disparities — and the fact that #suicide is the second leading cause of death among all #adolescents — there has been a dearth of research examining the #racial and #ethnic differences in #youth #suicidalideation, plans or #suicideattempts.
This is partly because #Black researchers who examine health disparities have been underfunded — in March the director of the #NationalInstitutesofHealth issued a public apology for “structural #racism in biomedical research” — but also because there are only a handful of academics who study these topics.
“You have to bring culture into this, you have to talk about #racism, you have to talk about discrimination,” said Arielle Sheftall, a principal investigator at the #CenterforSuicidePrevention and Research at Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus, Ohio. “It is something that #Black #youth experience every single day.”
A report presented to Congress in 2019 identified gaps in research and policy and has resulted in more research dollars flowing to studies related to #Black #youth #suicide, including a program to teach middle schoolers about #mentalhealth and a #suicideprevention intervention called Success Over Stress, which touches on themes like systemic #racism and #police brutality to help ninth-grade #students at predominantly #Black #schools develop coping skills.
“These kids have stressors that are uniquely different than other kids,” said LaVome Robinson, the lead investigator of the Success Over #Stress study and a professor of #psychology at DePaul University in Chicago.
‘Nothing to #Stress About’
Deaths by #suicide are more common among #boys than #girls overall, but a study published in September found that #suicide rates among #Black #girls increased by an average of 6.6 percent each year from 2003 to 2017 — more than twice the increase for #Black #boys. A diagnosis of #depression or #anxiety was more common among the #girls. Additionally, nearly 20 percent of the #girls had engaged in an argument within 24 hours of their deaths.
Denise (her middle name), 19, a high school senior in Cleveland, lives with her mother and six siblings. She struggles with #depression and #anxiety, largely driven by conflict at home and the lingering trauma of a sexual assault.
“When I told Mom how I was feeling, she didn’t seem to care,” Denise said, adding: “She said I had nothing to #stress about because I’m a kid.”
“I just felt like there was nothing nobody could do to change the situation.”
One evening in September, after a disagreement with her mother, she texted one of her #school counselors and told her: “I don’t want to be here no more.”
Her counselor insisted that she go to the hospital to get a psychiatric evaluation.
“The first three nights I spent in the hospital, all I could do is cry,” said Denise, who received her first prescription for psychiatric medication while she was there. “I just felt relieved that somebody could actually understand what I’m going through. It felt good to let it all out after holding it in for so long.”
Suicidal behavior is already a well-known problem in Denise’s #school district, which is about two-thirds #Black. In 2019, data from the #CentersforDiseaseControlandPrevention showed that 18 percent of Cleveland #highschool #students had attempted #suicide in the previous 12 months, compared with about 9 percent nationally. Many #students in Cleveland face chronic stressors, including neighborhood violence and food insecurity. Researchers have found that young people are more likely to die by #suicide in high-poverty communities.
Lisa Ellis, a counselor at a #highschool in Cleveland, developed an eight-week program for first-year #students at her #school that aims to help reduce the #stigma of #mentalillness, which she sees as a large barrier preventing #studentsofcolor from getting the help they need.
The curriculum includes videos, like TED talks about #mentalhealth, as well as discussions about various #mentalhealthdiagnoses and healthy coping mechanisms to help students regulate their emotions inside and outside the classroom.
‘Keeping Your Business Out of the Street’
An #AmericanPsychologicalAssociation report found that only 4 percent of #psychologists in the #UnitedStates in 2015 were #Black, even though #Black people represent 13 percent of the population. A similar disparity exists among #socialworkers and #psychiatrists.
Tips for #Parents to Help Their Struggling #Teens
Are you concerned for your #teen? If you worry that your #teen might be experiencing #depression or suicidal thoughts, there are a few things you can do to help. Dr. Christine Moutier, the chief medical officer of the #AmericanFoundationforSuicidePrevention, suggests these steps:
Look for changes. Notice shifts in sleeping and eating habits in your #teen, as well as any issues he or she might be having at #school, such as slipping grades. Watch for angry outbursts, mood swings and a loss of interest in activities they used to love. Stay attuned to their #socialmedia posts as well.
Keep the lines of communication open. If you notice something unusual, start a conversation. But your child might not want to talk. In that case, offer him or her help in finding a trusted person to share their struggles with instead.
Seek out professional support. A child who expresses suicidal thoughts may benefit from a #mentalhealth evaluation and treatment. You can start by speaking with your child’s #pediatrician or a #mentalhealthprofessional.
In an emergency: If you have immediate concern for your child’s safety, do not leave him or her alone. Call a #suicidepreventionlifeline. Lock up any potentially lethal objects. #Children who are actively trying to harm themselves should be taken to the closest emergency room.
Resources If you’re worried about someone in your life and don’t know how to help, these resources can offer guidance:1. The #NationalSuicidePreventionLifeline: 1-800-273-8255 (TALK) 2. The #CrisisTextLine: Text TALK to 741741 3. The #AmericanFoundationforSuicidePrevention
“This is a deterrent,” said Dr. Kali D. Cyrus, a psychiatrist at Sibley Memorial Hospital in Washington, D.C., and an assistant professor at Johns Hopkins University. Talking about your family’s business with a white person — much less an outsider — is often discouraged in the #Black community, added Dr. Cyrus, who is #Black.
Most #mentalhealthcare for #children takes place in public #schools via #school #psychologists or counselors. This is especially true in low-income districts where other resources are scarce. But these professionals are also in short supply.
Even when #mentalhealthprofessionals are available, research has shown that #Black #adolescents’ #depression often goes untreated because of negative perceptions of services and providers or feelings of shame about experiencing depressive symptoms.
“#Black families don’t typically have literacy in discussing ‘feelings’ with each other,” Dr. Cyrus said in an email. “There is also the strong value of ‘keeping your business out of the street.’”
Ever since Kathy Williams’s teenage son Torian Graves took his life in 1996, she has been teaching the people in her hometown, Durham, N.C., about the symptoms she missed and the importance of #mentalhealthtreatment. But the stigma is still strong, she said. Some #parents are afraid of being judged and don’t trust therapists. Sometimes they say: “Just pray about it. It will go away.”
Yes, she said, prayer is good. But treating #mentalillness requires more than that.
After her son died, she found a poem in his room that he had written as a class assignment.
It reads:
Part of me is Carolina Blue,Full of Flavor and Excitement,Like a Wild RollercoasterOn the Loose.But, At times,I’m mean, dark, lonely,Black, mad at the world,Like a lost dog in the desert,Yet, they are both true,And they are both me.
“Wow, this is the way my child was feeling,” she recalled thinking at the time.
“I saw him angry at times and couldn’t figure out why,” she said of her son, who was 15 when he died. “I believe Torian was depressed and we didn’t know it.”
To help remove the #stigma associated with therapy, Dr. Lindsey has developed a pilot program at five New York City public middle and #highschools that recruits #Black youths who are experiencing symptoms of #depression and enrolls them in therapy with a clinician at a school-based #mentalhealth clinic.
When #parents are informed that their #children have #mentalhealthchallenges, they often feel as if they did something wrong, Dr. Lindsey said.
“The first thing we tell them is this is not your fault, this is not the result of bad parenting,” he added.
As for Joe, who had been struggling with #depression in Boston, he did eventually find a therapist with the help of his mother and his primary care doctor, and started therapy at the beginning of 12th grade.
“Talking to someone every Wednesday for one hour, it just did something,” he said. “It made me feel like a person, like I was wanted.”
His father and the rest of his family noticed that he wasn’t as angry anymore.
“It’s not that I was crazy,” Joe said. “I needed someone to understand what I was going through, to give me a way to deal with it.
Now, Joe said, “I love who I am.”
If you’re worried about someone in your life and unsure of how to help, use one of these free, 24-7 resources:
The #NationalSuicidePreventionLifeline: 1-800-273-8255 (TALK)
The Crisis Text Line: Text TALK to 741741
The #AmericanFoundationforSuicidePrevention
This article was produced as part of the USC Annenberg Center for Health Journalism’s 2021 National Fellowship.
Photo by August de Richelieu on Pexels.com
https://standingabovethecrowd.com/?p=8537
Photo by August de Richelieu on Pexels.com
By Christina Caron
Joe was 17 when he decided life wasn’t worth living.
He was tired of the violence in his Boston neighborhood, where his older brother had spent more than a year recovering from a gunshot wound to his leg. And he was especially tired of the comments about his weight.
“You think you can sit on that chair?” his classmates would ask.
Other times they were more direct, saying simply: “You’re fat.”
“Sometimes I’d be so depressed I wouldn’t eat for three days,” said Joe, now 25, who was a lineman on his high school’s football team.
(Joe’s surname and that of another young person interviewed for this article are being withheld to protect their privacy. Joe is being identified by his middle name.)
He thought about ending his life if the bullying didn’t stop. Those thoughts eventually became so pervasive that one day he came home from #school and took a small handful of pills. But it was enough only to produce a bad stomachache.
Months later, he was still feeling depressed. “Let me go see a therapist. My head’s not right,” he told his father. “I’m having these thoughts of killing myself — that you’d all be better without me here.”
Joe still remembers his father’s response: “That’s not true. We love you. But you want to talk to somebody and tell someone that? They’re going to think you’re crazy.”
Over the past generation, a #mentalhealthcrisis has been brewing among #Black youths like Joe, one that very few people — including #Black families — have spoken about publicly. Self-reported #suicide attempts rose nearly 80 percent among #Black #adolescents from 1991 to 2019, while the prevalence of attempts did not change significantly among those of other #races and #ethnicities. Legislators and academics are now pushing for better research to understand why, especially in light of new evidence that suggests #Black #children may have unique risk factors for self-harm.
#JamesDonaldson notes:
Welcome to the “next chapter” of my life… being a voice and an advocate for #mentalhealthawarenessandsuicideprevention, especially pertaining to our younger generation of students and student-athletes.
Getting men to speak up and reach out for help and assistance is one of my passions. Us men need to not suffer in silence or drown our sorrows in alcohol, hang out at bars and strip joints, or get involved with drug use.
Having gone through a recent bout of #depression and #suicidalthoughts myself, I realize now, that I can make a huge difference in the lives of so many by sharing my story, and by sharing various resources I come across as I work in this space. #http://bit.ly/JamesMentalHealthArticle
‘I Didn’t Necessarily Want to Die’
One study of #highschool #students, published in September, found that the #Black #teenagers surveyed were more likely than the white #teenagers to have attempted #suicide without first having suicidal thoughts or plans. Because #suicide screening questionnaires typically ask whether people are having suicidal thoughts or have made plans to hurt themselves, the authors speculated that the questionnaires might fail to identify some #Black #youths who are at risk of #suicide, or that there could be additional factors that might indicate a need for intervention.
More research is needed, but a government study conducted last year suggested that #Black #children and #adolescents who died by #suicide were more likely than white #youths to have experienced a crisis in the two weeks before they died. They were also more likely to have had a family relationship problem, argument or conflict, or a history of #suicideattempts.
Jordan Burnham, who survived a jump from a ninth-story window when he was 18, said that if he had been asked whether he was planning to kill himself that day, the answer would have been no.
“I couldn’t even think that far ahead,” he said.
The fall broke his pelvis, shattered his left leg and fractured his wrist, skull and jaw. It would be four years before he could walk again.
“I didn’t necessarily want to die,” added Mr. Burnham, who is now 32 and visits as many as 60 #schools a year to speak about #suicideprevention and #mentalillness. “But the part of me that had #depression and shame and sadness everyday — I wanted that pain to die. I wanted that part to go away.”
On the day of his #suicideattempt, he was confronted by his #parents about a stash of #alcohol that they had found in his car. Although Mr. Burnham was diagnosed with #depression as a #teenager, he became so good at hiding it that even his own family members, who were loving and supportive, did not fully understand how much pain he held inside — or the extent to which he felt like an outsider as one of the few #Black #students at a mostly white #school in suburban Philadelphia.
#Suicide and #mentalillness are often thought of as a “white phenomenon,” said Michael A. Lindsey, the executive director of the McSilver Institute for Poverty Policy and Research at New York University, who studies the #mentalhealth of #Black #adolescents.
Looking at the raw numbers, it’s easy to understand why. White deaths by #suicide far outnumber those of #Black people. But when taking into account #youth #suicide rates — the number of suicides per 100,000 individuals under age 25 — a different picture emerges.
“I think the statistics are shocking,” said Dr. Lindsey, who was the first to document trends in rising #suicide attempts among #Black #adolescents.
A 2018 study found that while the #suicide rate of #Black #children 5 to 12 was low, it was nearly twice that of white #children in the same age group. In one of the most recent examples, a 10-year-old #Black #girl with #autism died by #suicide in Utah in early November. Her #parents said she had been subjected to #racist bullying by her classmates.
Among #teenagers and young #adults, #suicide rates remain highest among whites, #NativeAmericans and Alaska Natives. But while the #suicide rate has recently declined among those groups, it has continued to rise among #Black #youths. From 2013 to 2019 the #suicide rate of #Black #boys and #men 15 to 24 years old rose by 47 percent, and by 59 percent for #Black #girls and #women of the same age.
#Adolescents of color who identify as #LGBTQ. may be especially at risk of a #suicideattempt, according to a national survey conducted by the Trevor Project, a #suicideprevention group for #LGBTQ #youth.
Despite the #racial disparities — and the fact that #suicide is the second leading cause of death among all #adolescents — there has been a dearth of research examining the #racial and #ethnic differences in #youth #suicidalideation, plans or #suicideattempts.
This is partly because #Black researchers who examine health disparities have been underfunded — in March the director of the #NationalInstitutesofHealth issued a public apology for “structural #racism in biomedical research” — but also because there are only a handful of academics who study these topics.
“You have to bring culture into this, you have to talk about #racism, you have to talk about discrimination,” said Arielle Sheftall, a principal investigator at the #CenterforSuicidePrevention and Research at Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus, Ohio. “It is something that #Black #youth experience every single day.”
A report presented to Congress in 2019 identified gaps in research and policy and has resulted in more research dollars flowing to studies related to #Black #youth #suicide, including a program to teach middle schoolers about #mentalhealth and a #suicideprevention intervention called Success Over Stress, which touches on themes like systemic #racism and #police brutality to help ninth-grade #students at predominantly #Black #schools develop coping skills.
“These kids have stressors that are uniquely different than other kids,” said LaVome Robinson, the lead investigator of the Success Over #Stress study and a professor of #psychology at DePaul University in Chicago.
‘Nothing to #Stress About’
Deaths by #suicide are more common among #boys than #girls overall, but a study published in September found that #suicide rates among #Black #girls increased by an average of 6.6 percent each year from 2003 to 2017 — more than twice the increase for #Black #boys. A diagnosis of #depression or #anxiety was more common among the #girls. Additionally, nearly 20 percent of the #girls had engaged in an argument within 24 hours of their deaths.
Denise (her middle name), 19, a high school senior in Cleveland, lives with her mother and six siblings. She struggles with #depression and #anxiety, largely driven by conflict at home and the lingering trauma of a sexual assault.
“When I told Mom how I was feeling, she didn’t seem to care,” Denise said, adding: “She said I had nothing to #stress about because I’m a kid.”
“I just felt like there was nothing nobody could do to change the situation.”
One evening in September, after a disagreement with her mother, she texted one of her #school counselors and told her: “I don’t want to be here no more.”
Her counselor insisted that she go to the hospital to get a psychiatric evaluation.
“The first three nights I spent in the hospital, all I could do is cry,” said Denise, who received her first prescription for psychiatric medication while she was there. “I just felt relieved that somebody could actually understand what I’m going through. It felt good to let it all out after holding it in for so long.”
Suicidal behavior is already a well-known problem in Denise’s #school district, which is about two-thirds #Black. In 2019, data from the #CentersforDiseaseControlandPrevention showed that 18 percent of Cleveland #highschool #students had attempted #suicide in the previous 12 months, compared with about 9 percent nationally. Many #students in Cleveland face chronic stressors, including neighborhood violence and food insecurity. Researchers have found that young people are more likely to die by #suicide in high-poverty communities.
Lisa Ellis, a counselor at a #highschool in Cleveland, developed an eight-week program for first-year #students at her #school that aims to help reduce the #stigma of #mentalillness, which she sees as a large barrier preventing #studentsofcolor from getting the help they need.
The curriculum includes videos, like TED talks about #mentalhealth, as well as discussions about various #mentalhealthdiagnoses and healthy coping mechanisms to help students regulate their emotions inside and outside the classroom.
‘Keeping Your Business Out of the Street’
An #AmericanPsychologicalAssociation report found that only 4 percent of #psychologists in the #UnitedStates in 2015 were #Black, even though #Black people represent 13 percent of the population. A similar disparity exists among #socialworkers and #psychiatrists.
Tips for #Parents to Help Their Struggling #Teens
Are you concerned for your #teen? If you worry that your #teen might be experiencing #depression or suicidal thoughts, there are a few things you can do to help. Dr. Christine Moutier, the chief medical officer of the #AmericanFoundationforSuicidePrevention, suggests these steps:
Look for changes. Notice shifts in sleeping and eating habits in your #teen, as well as any issues he or she might be having at #school, such as slipping grades. Watch for angry outbursts, mood swings and a loss of interest in activities they used to love. Stay attuned to their #socialmedia posts as well.
Keep the lines of communication open. If you notice something unusual, start a conversation. But your child might not want to talk. In that case, offer him or her help in finding a trusted person to share their struggles with instead.
Seek out professional support. A child who expresses suicidal thoughts may benefit from a #mentalhealth evaluation and treatment. You can start by speaking with your child’s #pediatrician or a #mentalhealthprofessional.
In an emergency: If you have immediate concern for your child’s safety, do not leave him or her alone. Call a #suicidepreventionlifeline. Lock up any potentially lethal objects. #Children who are actively trying to harm themselves should be taken to the closest emergency room.
Resources If you’re worried about someone in your life and don’t know how to help, these resources can offer guidance:1. The #NationalSuicidePreventionLifeline: 1-800-273-8255 (TALK) 2. The #CrisisTextLine: Text TALK to 741741 3. The #AmericanFoundationforSuicidePrevention
“This is a deterrent,” said Dr. Kali D. Cyrus, a psychiatrist at Sibley Memorial Hospital in Washington, D.C., and an assistant professor at Johns Hopkins University. Talking about your family’s business with a white person — much less an outsider — is often discouraged in the #Black community, added Dr. Cyrus, who is #Black.
Most #mentalhealthcare for #children takes place in public #schools via #school #psychologists or counselors. This is especially true in low-income districts where other resources are scarce. But these professionals are also in short supply.
Even when #mentalhealthprofessionals are available, research has shown that #Black #adolescents’ #depression often goes untreated because of negative perceptions of services and providers or feelings of shame about experiencing depressive symptoms.
“#Black families don’t typically have literacy in discussing ‘feelings’ with each other,” Dr. Cyrus said in an email. “There is also the strong value of ‘keeping your business out of the street.’”
Ever since Kathy Williams’s teenage son Torian Graves took his life in 1996, she has been teaching the people in her hometown, Durham, N.C., about the symptoms she missed and the importance of #mentalhealthtreatment. But the stigma is still strong, she said. Some #parents are afraid of being judged and don’t trust therapists. Sometimes they say: “Just pray about it. It will go away.”
Yes, she said, prayer is good. But treating #mentalillness requires more than that.
After her son died, she found a poem in his room that he had written as a class assignment.
It reads:
Part of me is Carolina Blue,Full of Flavor and Excitement,Like a Wild RollercoasterOn the Loose.But, At times,I’m mean, dark, lonely,Black, mad at the world,Like a lost dog in the desert,Yet, they are both true,And they are both me.
“Wow, this is the way my child was feeling,” she recalled thinking at the time.
“I saw him angry at times and couldn’t figure out why,” she said of her son, who was 15 when he died. “I believe Torian was depressed and we didn’t know it.”
To help remove the #stigma associated with therapy, Dr. Lindsey has developed a pilot program at five New York City public middle and #highschools that recruits #Black youths who are experiencing symptoms of #depression and enrolls them in therapy with a clinician at a school-based #mentalhealth clinic.
When #parents are informed that their #children have #mentalhealthchallenges, they often feel as if they did something wrong, Dr. Lindsey said.
“The first thing we tell them is this is not your fault, this is not the result of bad parenting,” he added.
As for Joe, who had been struggling with #depression in Boston, he did eventually find a therapist with the help of his mother and his primary care doctor, and started therapy at the beginning of 12th grade.
“Talking to someone every Wednesday for one hour, it just did something,” he said. “It made me feel like a person, like I was wanted.”
His father and the rest of his family noticed that he wasn’t as angry anymore.
“It’s not that I was crazy,” Joe said. “I needed someone to understand what I was going through, to give me a way to deal with it.
Now, Joe said, “I love who I am.”
If you’re worried about someone in your life and unsure of how to help, use one of these free, 24-7 resources:
The #NationalSuicidePreventionLifeline: 1-800-273-8255 (TALK)
The Crisis Text Line: Text TALK to 741741
The #AmericanFoundationforSuicidePrevention
This article was produced as part of the USC Annenberg Center for Health Journalism’s 2021 National Fellowship.
Photo by August de Richelieu on Pexels.com
https://standingabovethecrowd.com/?p=8537
#Mentalhealthexperts assumed that people of all races had the same risk factors for self-harm. Emerging evidence suggests that is not the case.
Photo by August de Richelieu on Pexels.com
By Christina Caron
Joe was 17 when he decided life wasn’t worth living.
He was tired of the violence in his Boston neighborhood, where his older brother had spent more than a year recovering from a gunshot wound to his leg. And he was especially tired of the comments about his weight.
“You think you can sit on that chair?” his classmates would ask.
Other times they were more direct, saying simply: “You’re fat.”
“Sometimes I’d be so depressed I wouldn’t eat for three days,” said Joe, now 25, who was a lineman on his high school’s football team.
(Joe’s surname and that of another young person interviewed for this article are being withheld to protect their privacy. Joe is being identified by his middle name.)
He thought about ending his life if the bullying didn’t stop. Those thoughts eventually became so pervasive that one day he came home from #school and took a small handful of pills. But it was enough only to produce a bad stomachache.
Months later, he was still feeling depressed. “Let me go see a therapist. My head’s not right,” he told his father. “I’m having these thoughts of killing myself — that you’d all be better without me here.”
Joe still remembers his father’s response: “That’s not true. We love you. But you want to talk to somebody and tell someone that? They’re going to think you’re crazy.”
Over the past generation, a #mentalhealthcrisis has been brewing among #Black youths like Joe, one that very few people — including #Black families — have spoken about publicly. Self-reported #suicide attempts rose nearly 80 percent among #Black #adolescents from 1991 to 2019, while the prevalence of attempts did not change significantly among those of other #races and #ethnicities. Legislators and academics are now pushing for better research to understand why, especially in light of new evidence that suggests #Black #children may have unique risk factors for self-harm.
#JamesDonaldson notes:
Welcome to the “next chapter” of my life… being a voice and an advocate for #mentalhealthawarenessandsuicideprevention, especially pertaining to our younger generation of students and student-athletes.
Getting men to speak up and reach out for help and assistance is one of my passions. Us men need to not suffer in silence or drown our sorrows in alcohol, hang out at bars and strip joints, or get involved with drug use.
Having gone through a recent bout of #depression and #suicidalthoughts myself, I realize now, that I can make a huge difference in the lives of so many by sharing my story, and by sharing various resources I come across as I work in this space. #http://bit.ly/JamesMentalHealthArticle
‘I Didn’t Necessarily Want to Die’
One study of #highschool #students, published in September, found that the #Black #teenagers surveyed were more likely than the white #teenagers to have attempted #suicide without first having suicidal thoughts or plans. Because #suicide screening questionnaires typically ask whether people are having suicidal thoughts or have made plans to hurt themselves, the authors speculated that the questionnaires might fail to identify some #Black #youths who are at risk of #suicide, or that there could be additional factors that might indicate a need for intervention.
More research is needed, but a government study conducted last year suggested that #Black #children and #adolescents who died by #suicide were more likely than white #youths to have experienced a crisis in the two weeks before they died. They were also more likely to have had a family relationship problem, argument or conflict, or a history of #suicideattempts.
Jordan Burnham, who survived a jump from a ninth-story window when he was 18, said that if he had been asked whether he was planning to kill himself that day, the answer would have been no.
“I couldn’t even think that far ahead,” he said.
The fall broke his pelvis, shattered his left leg and fractured his wrist, skull and jaw. It would be four years before he could walk again.
“I didn’t necessarily want to die,” added Mr. Burnham, who is now 32 and visits as many as 60 #schools a year to speak about #suicideprevention and #mentalillness. “But the part of me that had #depression and shame and sadness everyday — I wanted that pain to die. I wanted that part to go away.”
On the day of his #suicideattempt, he was confronted by his #parents about a stash of #alcohol that they had found in his car. Although Mr. Burnham was diagnosed with #depression as a #teenager, he became so good at hiding it that even his own family members, who were loving and supportive, did not fully understand how much pain he held inside — or the extent to which he felt like an outsider as one of the few #Black #students at a mostly white #school in suburban Philadelphia.
#Suicide and #mentalillness are often thought of as a “white phenomenon,” said Michael A. Lindsey, the executive director of the McSilver Institute for Poverty Policy and Research at New York University, who studies the #mentalhealth of #Black #adolescents.
Looking at the raw numbers, it’s easy to understand why. White deaths by #suicide far outnumber those of #Black people. But when taking into account #youth #suicide rates — the number of suicides per 100,000 individuals under age 25 — a different picture emerges.
“I think the statistics are shocking,” said Dr. Lindsey, who was the first to document trends in rising #suicide attempts among #Black #adolescents.
A 2018 study found that while the #suicide rate of #Black #children 5 to 12 was low, it was nearly twice that of white #children in the same age group. In one of the most recent examples, a 10-year-old #Black #girl with #autism died by #suicide in Utah in early November. Her #parents said she had been subjected to #racist bullying by her classmates.
Among #teenagers and young #adults, #suicide rates remain highest among whites, #NativeAmericans and Alaska Natives. But while the #suicide rate has recently declined among those groups, it has continued to rise among #Black #youths. From 2013 to 2019 the #suicide rate of #Black #boys and #men 15 to 24 years old rose by 47 percent, and by 59 percent for #Black #girls and #women of the same age.
#Adolescents of color who identify as #LGBTQ. may be especially at risk of a #suicideattempt, according to a national survey conducted by the Trevor Project, a #suicideprevention group for #LGBTQ #youth.
Despite the #racial disparities — and the fact that #suicide is the second leading cause of death among all #adolescents — there has been a dearth of research examining the #racial and #ethnic differences in #youth #suicidalideation, plans or #suicideattempts.
This is partly because #Black researchers who examine health disparities have been underfunded — in March the director of the #NationalInstitutesofHealth issued a public apology for “structural #racism in biomedical research” — but also because there are only a handful of academics who study these topics.
“You have to bring culture into this, you have to talk about #racism, you have to talk about discrimination,” said Arielle Sheftall, a principal investigator at the #CenterforSuicidePrevention and Research at Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus, Ohio. “It is something that #Black #youth experience every single day.”
A report presented to Congress in 2019 identified gaps in research and policy and has resulted in more research dollars flowing to studies related to #Black #youth #suicide, including a program to teach middle schoolers about #mentalhealth and a #suicideprevention intervention called Success Over Stress, which touches on themes like systemic #racism and #police brutality to help ninth-grade #students at predominantly #Black #schools develop coping skills.
“These kids have stressors that are uniquely different than other kids,” said LaVome Robinson, the lead investigator of the Success Over #Stress study and a professor of #psychology at DePaul University in Chicago.
‘Nothing to #Stress About’
Deaths by #suicide are more common among #boys than #girls overall, but a study published in September found that #suicide rates among #Black #girls increased by an average of 6.6 percent each year from 2003 to 2017 — more than twice the increase for #Black #boys. A diagnosis of #depression or #anxiety was more common among the #girls. Additionally, nearly 20 percent of the #girls had engaged in an argument within 24 hours of their deaths.
Denise (her middle name), 19, a high school senior in Cleveland, lives with her mother and six siblings. She struggles with #depression and #anxiety, largely driven by conflict at home and the lingering trauma of a sexual assault.
“When I told Mom how I was feeling, she didn’t seem to care,” Denise said, adding: “She said I had nothing to #stress about because I’m a kid.”
“I just felt like there was nothing nobody could do to change the situation.”
One evening in September, after a disagreement with her mother, she texted one of her #school counselors and told her: “I don’t want to be here no more.”
Her counselor insisted that she go to the hospital to get a psychiatric evaluation.
“The first three nights I spent in the hospital, all I could do is cry,” said Denise, who received her first prescription for psychiatric medication while she was there. “I just felt relieved that somebody could actually understand what I’m going through. It felt good to let it all out after holding it in for so long.”
Suicidal behavior is already a well-known problem in Denise’s #school district, which is about two-thirds #Black. In 2019, data from the #CentersforDiseaseControlandPrevention showed that 18 percent of Cleveland #highschool #students had attempted #suicide in the previous 12 months, compared with about 9 percent nationally. Many #students in Cleveland face chronic stressors, including neighborhood violence and food insecurity. Researchers have found that young people are more likely to die by #suicide in high-poverty communities.
Lisa Ellis, a counselor at a #highschool in Cleveland, developed an eight-week program for first-year #students at her #school that aims to help reduce the #stigma of #mentalillness, which she sees as a large barrier preventing #studentsofcolor from getting the help they need.
The curriculum includes videos, like TED talks about #mentalhealth, as well as discussions about various #mentalhealthdiagnoses and healthy coping mechanisms to help students regulate their emotions inside and outside the classroom.
‘Keeping Your Business Out of the Street’
An #AmericanPsychologicalAssociation report found that only 4 percent of #psychologists in the #UnitedStates in 2015 were #Black, even though #Black people represent 13 percent of the population. A similar disparity exists among #socialworkers and #psychiatrists.
Tips for #Parents to Help Their Struggling #Teens
Are you concerned for your #teen? If you worry that your #teen might be experiencing #depression or suicidal thoughts, there are a few things you can do to help. Dr. Christine Moutier, the chief medical officer of the #AmericanFoundationforSuicidePrevention, suggests these steps:
Look for changes. Notice shifts in sleeping and eating habits in your #teen, as well as any issues he or she might be having at #school, such as slipping grades. Watch for angry outbursts, mood swings and a loss of interest in activities they used to love. Stay attuned to their #socialmedia posts as well.
Keep the lines of communication open. If you notice something unusual, start a conversation. But your child might not want to talk. In that case, offer him or her help in finding a trusted person to share their struggles with instead.
Seek out professional support. A child who expresses suicidal thoughts may benefit from a #mentalhealth evaluation and treatment. You can start by speaking with your child’s #pediatrician or a #mentalhealthprofessional.
In an emergency: If you have immediate concern for your child’s safety, do not leave him or her alone. Call a #suicidepreventionlifeline. Lock up any potentially lethal objects. #Children who are actively trying to harm themselves should be taken to the closest emergency room.
Resources If you’re worried about someone in your life and don’t know how to help, these resources can offer guidance:1. The #NationalSuicidePreventionLifeline: 1-800-273-8255 (TALK) 2. The #CrisisTextLine: Text TALK to 741741 3. The #AmericanFoundationforSuicidePrevention
“This is a deterrent,” said Dr. Kali D. Cyrus, a psychiatrist at Sibley Memorial Hospital in Washington, D.C., and an assistant professor at Johns Hopkins University. Talking about your family’s business with a white person — much less an outsider — is often discouraged in the #Black community, added Dr. Cyrus, who is #Black.
Most #mentalhealthcare for #children takes place in public #schools via #school #psychologists or counselors. This is especially true in low-income districts where other resources are scarce. But these professionals are also in short supply.
Even when #mentalhealthprofessionals are available, research has shown that #Black #adolescents’ #depression often goes untreated because of negative perceptions of services and providers or feelings of shame about experiencing depressive symptoms.
“#Black families don’t typically have literacy in discussing ‘feelings’ with each other,” Dr. Cyrus said in an email. “There is also the strong value of ‘keeping your business out of the street.’”
Ever since Kathy Williams’s teenage son Torian Graves took his life in 1996, she has been teaching the people in her hometown, Durham, N.C., about the symptoms she missed and the importance of #mentalhealthtreatment. But the stigma is still strong, she said. Some #parents are afraid of being judged and don’t trust therapists. Sometimes they say: “Just pray about it. It will go away.”
Yes, she said, prayer is good. But treating #mentalillness requires more than that.
After her son died, she found a poem in his room that he had written as a class assignment.
It reads:
Part of me is Carolina Blue,Full of Flavor and Excitement,Like a Wild RollercoasterOn the Loose.But, At times,I’m mean, dark, lonely,Black, mad at the world,Like a lost dog in the desert,Yet, they are both true,And they are both me.
“Wow, this is the way my child was feeling,” she recalled thinking at the time.
“I saw him angry at times and couldn’t figure out why,” she said of her son, who was 15 when he died. “I believe Torian was depressed and we didn’t know it.”
To help remove the #stigma associated with therapy, Dr. Lindsey has developed a pilot program at five New York City public middle and #highschools that recruits #Black youths who are experiencing symptoms of #depression and enrolls them in therapy with a clinician at a school-based #mentalhealth clinic.
When #parents are informed that their #children have #mentalhealthchallenges, they often feel as if they did something wrong, Dr. Lindsey said.
“The first thing we tell them is this is not your fault, this is not the result of bad parenting,” he added.
As for Joe, who had been struggling with #depression in Boston, he did eventually find a therapist with the help of his mother and his primary care doctor, and started therapy at the beginning of 12th grade.
“Talking to someone every Wednesday for one hour, it just did something,” he said. “It made me feel like a person, like I was wanted.”
His father and the rest of his family noticed that he wasn’t as angry anymore.
“It’s not that I was crazy,” Joe said. “I needed someone to understand what I was going through, to give me a way to deal with it.
Now, Joe said, “I love who I am.”
If you’re worried about someone in your life and unsure of how to help, use one of these free, 24-7 resources:
The #NationalSuicidePreventionLifeline: 1-800-273-8255 (TALK)
The Crisis Text Line: Text TALK to 741741
The #AmericanFoundationforSuicidePrevention
This article was produced as part of the USC Annenberg Center for Health Journalism’s 2021 National Fellowship.
Photo by August de Richelieu on Pexels.com
https://standingabovethecrowd.com/?p=8537
Photo by August de Richelieu on Pexels.com
By Christina Caron
Joe was 17 when he decided life wasn’t worth living.
He was tired of the violence in his Boston neighborhood, where his older brother had spent more than a year recovering from a gunshot wound to his leg. And he was especially tired of the comments about his weight.
“You think you can sit on that chair?” his classmates would ask.
Other times they were more direct, saying simply: “You’re fat.”
“Sometimes I’d be so depressed I wouldn’t eat for three days,” said Joe, now 25, who was a lineman on his high school’s football team.
(Joe’s surname and that of another young person interviewed for this article are being withheld to protect their privacy. Joe is being identified by his middle name.)
He thought about ending his life if the bullying didn’t stop. Those thoughts eventually became so pervasive that one day he came home from #school and took a small handful of pills. But it was enough only to produce a bad stomachache.
Months later, he was still feeling depressed. “Let me go see a therapist. My head’s not right,” he told his father. “I’m having these thoughts of killing myself — that you’d all be better without me here.”
Joe still remembers his father’s response: “That’s not true. We love you. But you want to talk to somebody and tell someone that? They’re going to think you’re crazy.”
Over the past generation, a #mentalhealthcrisis has been brewing among #Black youths like Joe, one that very few people — including #Black families — have spoken about publicly. Self-reported #suicide attempts rose nearly 80 percent among #Black #adolescents from 1991 to 2019, while the prevalence of attempts did not change significantly among those of other #races and #ethnicities. Legislators and academics are now pushing for better research to understand why, especially in light of new evidence that suggests #Black #children may have unique risk factors for self-harm.
#JamesDonaldson notes:
Welcome to the “next chapter” of my life… being a voice and an advocate for #mentalhealthawarenessandsuicideprevention, especially pertaining to our younger generation of students and student-athletes.
Getting men to speak up and reach out for help and assistance is one of my passions. Us men need to not suffer in silence or drown our sorrows in alcohol, hang out at bars and strip joints, or get involved with drug use.
Having gone through a recent bout of #depression and #suicidalthoughts myself, I realize now, that I can make a huge difference in the lives of so many by sharing my story, and by sharing various resources I come across as I work in this space. #http://bit.ly/JamesMentalHealthArticle
‘I Didn’t Necessarily Want to Die’
One study of #highschool #students, published in September, found that the #Black #teenagers surveyed were more likely than the white #teenagers to have attempted #suicide without first having suicidal thoughts or plans. Because #suicide screening questionnaires typically ask whether people are having suicidal thoughts or have made plans to hurt themselves, the authors speculated that the questionnaires might fail to identify some #Black #youths who are at risk of #suicide, or that there could be additional factors that might indicate a need for intervention.
More research is needed, but a government study conducted last year suggested that #Black #children and #adolescents who died by #suicide were more likely than white #youths to have experienced a crisis in the two weeks before they died. They were also more likely to have had a family relationship problem, argument or conflict, or a history of #suicideattempts.
Jordan Burnham, who survived a jump from a ninth-story window when he was 18, said that if he had been asked whether he was planning to kill himself that day, the answer would have been no.
“I couldn’t even think that far ahead,” he said.
The fall broke his pelvis, shattered his left leg and fractured his wrist, skull and jaw. It would be four years before he could walk again.
“I didn’t necessarily want to die,” added Mr. Burnham, who is now 32 and visits as many as 60 #schools a year to speak about #suicideprevention and #mentalillness. “But the part of me that had #depression and shame and sadness everyday — I wanted that pain to die. I wanted that part to go away.”
On the day of his #suicideattempt, he was confronted by his #parents about a stash of #alcohol that they had found in his car. Although Mr. Burnham was diagnosed with #depression as a #teenager, he became so good at hiding it that even his own family members, who were loving and supportive, did not fully understand how much pain he held inside — or the extent to which he felt like an outsider as one of the few #Black #students at a mostly white #school in suburban Philadelphia.
#Suicide and #mentalillness are often thought of as a “white phenomenon,” said Michael A. Lindsey, the executive director of the McSilver Institute for Poverty Policy and Research at New York University, who studies the #mentalhealth of #Black #adolescents.
Looking at the raw numbers, it’s easy to understand why. White deaths by #suicide far outnumber those of #Black people. But when taking into account #youth #suicide rates — the number of suicides per 100,000 individuals under age 25 — a different picture emerges.
“I think the statistics are shocking,” said Dr. Lindsey, who was the first to document trends in rising #suicide attempts among #Black #adolescents.
A 2018 study found that while the #suicide rate of #Black #children 5 to 12 was low, it was nearly twice that of white #children in the same age group. In one of the most recent examples, a 10-year-old #Black #girl with #autism died by #suicide in Utah in early November. Her #parents said she had been subjected to #racist bullying by her classmates.
Among #teenagers and young #adults, #suicide rates remain highest among whites, #NativeAmericans and Alaska Natives. But while the #suicide rate has recently declined among those groups, it has continued to rise among #Black #youths. From 2013 to 2019 the #suicide rate of #Black #boys and #men 15 to 24 years old rose by 47 percent, and by 59 percent for #Black #girls and #women of the same age.
#Adolescents of color who identify as #LGBTQ. may be especially at risk of a #suicideattempt, according to a national survey conducted by the Trevor Project, a #suicideprevention group for #LGBTQ #youth.
Despite the #racial disparities — and the fact that #suicide is the second leading cause of death among all #adolescents — there has been a dearth of research examining the #racial and #ethnic differences in #youth #suicidalideation, plans or #suicideattempts.
This is partly because #Black researchers who examine health disparities have been underfunded — in March the director of the #NationalInstitutesofHealth issued a public apology for “structural #racism in biomedical research” — but also because there are only a handful of academics who study these topics.
“You have to bring culture into this, you have to talk about #racism, you have to talk about discrimination,” said Arielle Sheftall, a principal investigator at the #CenterforSuicidePrevention and Research at Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus, Ohio. “It is something that #Black #youth experience every single day.”
A report presented to Congress in 2019 identified gaps in research and policy and has resulted in more research dollars flowing to studies related to #Black #youth #suicide, including a program to teach middle schoolers about #mentalhealth and a #suicideprevention intervention called Success Over Stress, which touches on themes like systemic #racism and #police brutality to help ninth-grade #students at predominantly #Black #schools develop coping skills.
“These kids have stressors that are uniquely different than other kids,” said LaVome Robinson, the lead investigator of the Success Over #Stress study and a professor of #psychology at DePaul University in Chicago.
‘Nothing to #Stress About’
Deaths by #suicide are more common among #boys than #girls overall, but a study published in September found that #suicide rates among #Black #girls increased by an average of 6.6 percent each year from 2003 to 2017 — more than twice the increase for #Black #boys. A diagnosis of #depression or #anxiety was more common among the #girls. Additionally, nearly 20 percent of the #girls had engaged in an argument within 24 hours of their deaths.
Denise (her middle name), 19, a high school senior in Cleveland, lives with her mother and six siblings. She struggles with #depression and #anxiety, largely driven by conflict at home and the lingering trauma of a sexual assault.
“When I told Mom how I was feeling, she didn’t seem to care,” Denise said, adding: “She said I had nothing to #stress about because I’m a kid.”
“I just felt like there was nothing nobody could do to change the situation.”
One evening in September, after a disagreement with her mother, she texted one of her #school counselors and told her: “I don’t want to be here no more.”
Her counselor insisted that she go to the hospital to get a psychiatric evaluation.
“The first three nights I spent in the hospital, all I could do is cry,” said Denise, who received her first prescription for psychiatric medication while she was there. “I just felt relieved that somebody could actually understand what I’m going through. It felt good to let it all out after holding it in for so long.”
Suicidal behavior is already a well-known problem in Denise’s #school district, which is about two-thirds #Black. In 2019, data from the #CentersforDiseaseControlandPrevention showed that 18 percent of Cleveland #highschool #students had attempted #suicide in the previous 12 months, compared with about 9 percent nationally. Many #students in Cleveland face chronic stressors, including neighborhood violence and food insecurity. Researchers have found that young people are more likely to die by #suicide in high-poverty communities.
Lisa Ellis, a counselor at a #highschool in Cleveland, developed an eight-week program for first-year #students at her #school that aims to help reduce the #stigma of #mentalillness, which she sees as a large barrier preventing #studentsofcolor from getting the help they need.
The curriculum includes videos, like TED talks about #mentalhealth, as well as discussions about various #mentalhealthdiagnoses and healthy coping mechanisms to help students regulate their emotions inside and outside the classroom.
‘Keeping Your Business Out of the Street’
An #AmericanPsychologicalAssociation report found that only 4 percent of #psychologists in the #UnitedStates in 2015 were #Black, even though #Black people represent 13 percent of the population. A similar disparity exists among #socialworkers and #psychiatrists.
Tips for #Parents to Help Their Struggling #Teens
Are you concerned for your #teen? If you worry that your #teen might be experiencing #depression or suicidal thoughts, there are a few things you can do to help. Dr. Christine Moutier, the chief medical officer of the #AmericanFoundationforSuicidePrevention, suggests these steps:
Look for changes. Notice shifts in sleeping and eating habits in your #teen, as well as any issues he or she might be having at #school, such as slipping grades. Watch for angry outbursts, mood swings and a loss of interest in activities they used to love. Stay attuned to their #socialmedia posts as well.
Keep the lines of communication open. If you notice something unusual, start a conversation. But your child might not want to talk. In that case, offer him or her help in finding a trusted person to share their struggles with instead.
Seek out professional support. A child who expresses suicidal thoughts may benefit from a #mentalhealth evaluation and treatment. You can start by speaking with your child’s #pediatrician or a #mentalhealthprofessional.
In an emergency: If you have immediate concern for your child’s safety, do not leave him or her alone. Call a #suicidepreventionlifeline. Lock up any potentially lethal objects. #Children who are actively trying to harm themselves should be taken to the closest emergency room.
Resources If you’re worried about someone in your life and don’t know how to help, these resources can offer guidance:1. The #NationalSuicidePreventionLifeline: 1-800-273-8255 (TALK) 2. The #CrisisTextLine: Text TALK to 741741 3. The #AmericanFoundationforSuicidePrevention
“This is a deterrent,” said Dr. Kali D. Cyrus, a psychiatrist at Sibley Memorial Hospital in Washington, D.C., and an assistant professor at Johns Hopkins University. Talking about your family’s business with a white person — much less an outsider — is often discouraged in the #Black community, added Dr. Cyrus, who is #Black.
Most #mentalhealthcare for #children takes place in public #schools via #school #psychologists or counselors. This is especially true in low-income districts where other resources are scarce. But these professionals are also in short supply.
Even when #mentalhealthprofessionals are available, research has shown that #Black #adolescents’ #depression often goes untreated because of negative perceptions of services and providers or feelings of shame about experiencing depressive symptoms.
“#Black families don’t typically have literacy in discussing ‘feelings’ with each other,” Dr. Cyrus said in an email. “There is also the strong value of ‘keeping your business out of the street.’”
Ever since Kathy Williams’s teenage son Torian Graves took his life in 1996, she has been teaching the people in her hometown, Durham, N.C., about the symptoms she missed and the importance of #mentalhealthtreatment. But the stigma is still strong, she said. Some #parents are afraid of being judged and don’t trust therapists. Sometimes they say: “Just pray about it. It will go away.”
Yes, she said, prayer is good. But treating #mentalillness requires more than that.
After her son died, she found a poem in his room that he had written as a class assignment.
It reads:
Part of me is Carolina Blue,Full of Flavor and Excitement,Like a Wild RollercoasterOn the Loose.But, At times,I’m mean, dark, lonely,Black, mad at the world,Like a lost dog in the desert,Yet, they are both true,And they are both me.
“Wow, this is the way my child was feeling,” she recalled thinking at the time.
“I saw him angry at times and couldn’t figure out why,” she said of her son, who was 15 when he died. “I believe Torian was depressed and we didn’t know it.”
To help remove the #stigma associated with therapy, Dr. Lindsey has developed a pilot program at five New York City public middle and #highschools that recruits #Black youths who are experiencing symptoms of #depression and enrolls them in therapy with a clinician at a school-based #mentalhealth clinic.
When #parents are informed that their #children have #mentalhealthchallenges, they often feel as if they did something wrong, Dr. Lindsey said.
“The first thing we tell them is this is not your fault, this is not the result of bad parenting,” he added.
As for Joe, who had been struggling with #depression in Boston, he did eventually find a therapist with the help of his mother and his primary care doctor, and started therapy at the beginning of 12th grade.
“Talking to someone every Wednesday for one hour, it just did something,” he said. “It made me feel like a person, like I was wanted.”
His father and the rest of his family noticed that he wasn’t as angry anymore.
“It’s not that I was crazy,” Joe said. “I needed someone to understand what I was going through, to give me a way to deal with it.
Now, Joe said, “I love who I am.”
If you’re worried about someone in your life and unsure of how to help, use one of these free, 24-7 resources:
The #NationalSuicidePreventionLifeline: 1-800-273-8255 (TALK)
The Crisis Text Line: Text TALK to 741741
The #AmericanFoundationforSuicidePrevention
This article was produced as part of the USC Annenberg Center for Health Journalism’s 2021 National Fellowship.
Photo by August de Richelieu on Pexels.com
https://standingabovethecrowd.com/?p=8537
This time of year, regrets can hang over families who have lost loved ones.
By Terry Pluto, cleveland.com
CLEVELAND, Ohio – This email came in from Jacob (not his real name):
“I’ve been thinking about all the mistakes I’ve made and all the trouble they have caused. I have also been thinking about my son, who died by #suicide several years ago.
“Was there something I could have said or done that would have stopped the #suicide? I tell myself that we do the best we can every day. Often the choices we make come from flawed thinking patterns which lead to trouble. I did the best I could raising my son. He was always troubled. Life just became too hard for him. He pushed everyone who loved him away. I will always love him and miss him.”
Pastor #RickWarren is famous for his Purpose Driven Life bestseller. Warren’s son died by #suicide in 2013.
“If any other organ of your body breaks down, there’s no #stigma,” Warren said in a sermon after his son’s death. “But if your brain doesn’t work, why are you ashamed of that?”
Matthew Warren died at the age of 27.
“Only those closest knew that he struggled from birth with #mentalillness, dark holes of #depression, and even suicidal thoughts,” Warren wrote in a message to his Saddleback Church congregation. “In spite of America’s best #doctors, meds, counselors and prayers for healing, the torture of #mentalillness never subsided.”
Hall of Fame football coach #TonyDungy lost his son to #suicide three days before Christmas in 2006. Jamie Dungy was 18.
Jamie Dungy died from hanging. Matthew Warren from a gunshot.
Warren explained on #socialmedia: “After a fun evening together with Kay and me, in a momentary wave of despair at his home, he took his life.”
In a 2019 interview with Focus on the Family, Dungy said: “There’s nothing you can do on earth after it’s happened, other than take care of your other family members and focus on nurturing them...You have to say, ‘How can I keep those relationships with my kids, keep the lines of communication open? How can I help them see the worth and the value that they have?’”
Dungy and his family have 10 #children; eight of them are adopted.
Warren and his wife Kay have spoken to many people who have lost loved ones to #suicide. The same also is true of Dungy.
NBC analyst and ex-#NFL head coach #TonyDungy lost his son to #suicide three days before Christmas in 2006. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane, File)
#JamesDonaldson notes:
Welcome to the “next chapter” of my life… being a voice and an advocate for #mentalhealthawarenessandsuicideprevention, especially pertaining to our younger generation of students and student-athletes.
Getting men to speak up and reach out for help and assistance is one of my passions. Us men need to not suffer in silence or drown our sorrows in alcohol, hang out at bars and strip joints, or get involved with drug use.
Having gone through a recent bout of #depression and #suicidalthoughts myself, I realize now, that I can make a huge difference in the lives of so many by sharing my story, and by sharing various resources I come across as I work in this space. #http://bit.ly/JamesMentalHealthArticle
WHY TALK ABOUT THIS NOW?
Most of us either know someone who died by #suicide, or know a person who had someone close to them die in that manner. Entire books have been written on this subject, so I understand this is a surface discussion. Nonetheless, the subject is often hidden behind a wall of silence in many families.
“It’s a trauma, especially this time of year,” said Bishop Joey Johnson of Akron’s House of the Lord. “The holidays are especially painful. In some ways, it’s like reliving it over again because we miss that person.”
I called Johnson because since 2002, he’s been a certified Grief Recovery Specialist from the Grief Recovery Institute. He also has written a book called “Grief: A Biblical Pathway to God.”
“So many people blame themselves,” said Johnson. “They say, ‘If I had just been there...’ You can’t stay with a person 24/7.”
He mentioned how years ago he counseled a couple whose son died of #suicide. The wife said to her husband, “If you had just been nice and more #patient, this never would have happened.”
Johnson sighed.
“You point a finger like that at someone else because of the guilt you feel,” he said. “Or it’s God’s fault. Someone has to be blamed. It often breaks apart families.”
Suicides happen in all kinds of families. All races. All economic classes. From famous people such as #RickWarren and #TonyDungy to people whose names only a few of us know.
“You are looking at an emotional, irrational act of an emotionally troubled person – and trying to find a rational reason for it,” said Johnson. “Mental illness can’t be viewed that way.”
Bishop Joey Johnson said blaming follows after someone close to us dies from #suicide, and it tears families apart. Photo from Bishop Joey Johnson.
WHOSE FAULT IS IT?
Many people reading this right now need to hear these words: IT’S NOT YOUR FAULT.
It’s not your fault the person died from #suicide. You need to hear that over and over.
Johnson said we sometimes dwell on the events of the death and looking for explanation: “We are bargaining to try and get back what has been lost.”
It doesn’t work.
Anger is another emotion.
“We lost someone, so someone has to be blamed,” said Johnson. “But the fact is, nobody could have prevented what happened.”
Sometimes, we are angry at the person who died from #suicide because of the grief and loss we feel.
DRAW CLOSER, DON’T ISOLATE
Johnson has taught grief recovery for years. He believes many people blame themselves for the loss of a loved one, and that they need to grow closer to God during this time – not farther away.
Psalm 34:18: “God is close to the broken-hearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”
Some people think God is “punishing them” because of the #suicide. It’s not true. But drawing closer to God, ask forgiveness for whatever is haunting you.
“God has forgiven us, but sometimes we don’t believe it and can’t forgive ourselves,” said Johnson. “That all can come up this time of year.”
Johnson mentioned the word “bereavement” means “robbed by death.” That’s how we feel this time of year. We were robbed.
It’s why grief recovery groups and counseling can help. Don’t isolate. Many places in the area offer free grief recovery. Check the internet.
If a friend is going through this, just listen. Grief Recovery calls it “being a heart with ears.” That’s a good assignment for many of us who want to help.
Photo by Tess Emily Seymour on Pexels.com
https://standingabovethecrowd.com/?p=8544
By Terry Pluto, cleveland.com
CLEVELAND, Ohio – This email came in from Jacob (not his real name):
“I’ve been thinking about all the mistakes I’ve made and all the trouble they have caused. I have also been thinking about my son, who died by #suicide several years ago.
“Was there something I could have said or done that would have stopped the #suicide? I tell myself that we do the best we can every day. Often the choices we make come from flawed thinking patterns which lead to trouble. I did the best I could raising my son. He was always troubled. Life just became too hard for him. He pushed everyone who loved him away. I will always love him and miss him.”
Pastor #RickWarren is famous for his Purpose Driven Life bestseller. Warren’s son died by #suicide in 2013.
“If any other organ of your body breaks down, there’s no #stigma,” Warren said in a sermon after his son’s death. “But if your brain doesn’t work, why are you ashamed of that?”
Matthew Warren died at the age of 27.
“Only those closest knew that he struggled from birth with #mentalillness, dark holes of #depression, and even suicidal thoughts,” Warren wrote in a message to his Saddleback Church congregation. “In spite of America’s best #doctors, meds, counselors and prayers for healing, the torture of #mentalillness never subsided.”
Hall of Fame football coach #TonyDungy lost his son to #suicide three days before Christmas in 2006. Jamie Dungy was 18.
Jamie Dungy died from hanging. Matthew Warren from a gunshot.
Warren explained on #socialmedia: “After a fun evening together with Kay and me, in a momentary wave of despair at his home, he took his life.”
In a 2019 interview with Focus on the Family, Dungy said: “There’s nothing you can do on earth after it’s happened, other than take care of your other family members and focus on nurturing them...You have to say, ‘How can I keep those relationships with my kids, keep the lines of communication open? How can I help them see the worth and the value that they have?’”
Dungy and his family have 10 #children; eight of them are adopted.
Warren and his wife Kay have spoken to many people who have lost loved ones to #suicide. The same also is true of Dungy.
NBC analyst and ex-#NFL head coach #TonyDungy lost his son to #suicide three days before Christmas in 2006. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane, File)
#JamesDonaldson notes:
Welcome to the “next chapter” of my life… being a voice and an advocate for #mentalhealthawarenessandsuicideprevention, especially pertaining to our younger generation of students and student-athletes.
Getting men to speak up and reach out for help and assistance is one of my passions. Us men need to not suffer in silence or drown our sorrows in alcohol, hang out at bars and strip joints, or get involved with drug use.
Having gone through a recent bout of #depression and #suicidalthoughts myself, I realize now, that I can make a huge difference in the lives of so many by sharing my story, and by sharing various resources I come across as I work in this space. #http://bit.ly/JamesMentalHealthArticle
WHY TALK ABOUT THIS NOW?
Most of us either know someone who died by #suicide, or know a person who had someone close to them die in that manner. Entire books have been written on this subject, so I understand this is a surface discussion. Nonetheless, the subject is often hidden behind a wall of silence in many families.
“It’s a trauma, especially this time of year,” said Bishop Joey Johnson of Akron’s House of the Lord. “The holidays are especially painful. In some ways, it’s like reliving it over again because we miss that person.”
I called Johnson because since 2002, he’s been a certified Grief Recovery Specialist from the Grief Recovery Institute. He also has written a book called “Grief: A Biblical Pathway to God.”
“So many people blame themselves,” said Johnson. “They say, ‘If I had just been there...’ You can’t stay with a person 24/7.”
He mentioned how years ago he counseled a couple whose son died of #suicide. The wife said to her husband, “If you had just been nice and more #patient, this never would have happened.”
Johnson sighed.
“You point a finger like that at someone else because of the guilt you feel,” he said. “Or it’s God’s fault. Someone has to be blamed. It often breaks apart families.”
Suicides happen in all kinds of families. All races. All economic classes. From famous people such as #RickWarren and #TonyDungy to people whose names only a few of us know.
“You are looking at an emotional, irrational act of an emotionally troubled person – and trying to find a rational reason for it,” said Johnson. “Mental illness can’t be viewed that way.”
Bishop Joey Johnson said blaming follows after someone close to us dies from #suicide, and it tears families apart. Photo from Bishop Joey Johnson.
WHOSE FAULT IS IT?
Many people reading this right now need to hear these words: IT’S NOT YOUR FAULT.
It’s not your fault the person died from #suicide. You need to hear that over and over.
Johnson said we sometimes dwell on the events of the death and looking for explanation: “We are bargaining to try and get back what has been lost.”
It doesn’t work.
Anger is another emotion.
“We lost someone, so someone has to be blamed,” said Johnson. “But the fact is, nobody could have prevented what happened.”
Sometimes, we are angry at the person who died from #suicide because of the grief and loss we feel.
DRAW CLOSER, DON’T ISOLATE
Johnson has taught grief recovery for years. He believes many people blame themselves for the loss of a loved one, and that they need to grow closer to God during this time – not farther away.
Psalm 34:18: “God is close to the broken-hearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”
Some people think God is “punishing them” because of the #suicide. It’s not true. But drawing closer to God, ask forgiveness for whatever is haunting you.
“God has forgiven us, but sometimes we don’t believe it and can’t forgive ourselves,” said Johnson. “That all can come up this time of year.”
Johnson mentioned the word “bereavement” means “robbed by death.” That’s how we feel this time of year. We were robbed.
It’s why grief recovery groups and counseling can help. Don’t isolate. Many places in the area offer free grief recovery. Check the internet.
If a friend is going through this, just listen. Grief Recovery calls it “being a heart with ears.” That’s a good assignment for many of us who want to help.
Photo by Tess Emily Seymour on Pexels.com
https://standingabovethecrowd.com/?p=8544
This time of year, regrets can hang over families who have lost loved ones.
By Terry Pluto, cleveland.com
CLEVELAND, Ohio – This email came in from Jacob (not his real name):
“I’ve been thinking about all the mistakes I’ve made and all the trouble they have caused. I have also been thinking about my son, who died by #suicide several years ago.
“Was there something I could have said or done that would have stopped the #suicide? I tell myself that we do the best we can every day. Often the choices we make come from flawed thinking patterns which lead to trouble. I did the best I could raising my son. He was always troubled. Life just became too hard for him. He pushed everyone who loved him away. I will always love him and miss him.”
Pastor #RickWarren is famous for his Purpose Driven Life bestseller. Warren’s son died by #suicide in 2013.
“If any other organ of your body breaks down, there’s no #stigma,” Warren said in a sermon after his son’s death. “But if your brain doesn’t work, why are you ashamed of that?”
Matthew Warren died at the age of 27.
“Only those closest knew that he struggled from birth with #mentalillness, dark holes of #depression, and even suicidal thoughts,” Warren wrote in a message to his Saddleback Church congregation. “In spite of America’s best #doctors, meds, counselors and prayers for healing, the torture of #mentalillness never subsided.”
Hall of Fame football coach #TonyDungy lost his son to #suicide three days before Christmas in 2006. Jamie Dungy was 18.
Jamie Dungy died from hanging. Matthew Warren from a gunshot.
Warren explained on #socialmedia: “After a fun evening together with Kay and me, in a momentary wave of despair at his home, he took his life.”
In a 2019 interview with Focus on the Family, Dungy said: “There’s nothing you can do on earth after it’s happened, other than take care of your other family members and focus on nurturing them...You have to say, ‘How can I keep those relationships with my kids, keep the lines of communication open? How can I help them see the worth and the value that they have?’”
Dungy and his family have 10 #children; eight of them are adopted.
Warren and his wife Kay have spoken to many people who have lost loved ones to #suicide. The same also is true of Dungy.
NBC analyst and ex-#NFL head coach #TonyDungy lost his son to #suicide three days before Christmas in 2006. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane, File)
#JamesDonaldson notes:
Welcome to the “next chapter” of my life… being a voice and an advocate for #mentalhealthawarenessandsuicideprevention, especially pertaining to our younger generation of students and student-athletes.
Getting men to speak up and reach out for help and assistance is one of my passions. Us men need to not suffer in silence or drown our sorrows in alcohol, hang out at bars and strip joints, or get involved with drug use.
Having gone through a recent bout of #depression and #suicidalthoughts myself, I realize now, that I can make a huge difference in the lives of so many by sharing my story, and by sharing various resources I come across as I work in this space. #http://bit.ly/JamesMentalHealthArticle
WHY TALK ABOUT THIS NOW?
Most of us either know someone who died by #suicide, or know a person who had someone close to them die in that manner. Entire books have been written on this subject, so I understand this is a surface discussion. Nonetheless, the subject is often hidden behind a wall of silence in many families.
“It’s a trauma, especially this time of year,” said Bishop Joey Johnson of Akron’s House of the Lord. “The holidays are especially painful. In some ways, it’s like reliving it over again because we miss that person.”
I called Johnson because since 2002, he’s been a certified Grief Recovery Specialist from the Grief Recovery Institute. He also has written a book called “Grief: A Biblical Pathway to God.”
“So many people blame themselves,” said Johnson. “They say, ‘If I had just been there...’ You can’t stay with a person 24/7.”
He mentioned how years ago he counseled a couple whose son died of #suicide. The wife said to her husband, “If you had just been nice and more #patient, this never would have happened.”
Johnson sighed.
“You point a finger like that at someone else because of the guilt you feel,” he said. “Or it’s God’s fault. Someone has to be blamed. It often breaks apart families.”
Suicides happen in all kinds of families. All races. All economic classes. From famous people such as #RickWarren and #TonyDungy to people whose names only a few of us know.
“You are looking at an emotional, irrational act of an emotionally troubled person – and trying to find a rational reason for it,” said Johnson. “Mental illness can’t be viewed that way.”
Bishop Joey Johnson said blaming follows after someone close to us dies from #suicide, and it tears families apart. Photo from Bishop Joey Johnson.
WHOSE FAULT IS IT?
Many people reading this right now need to hear these words: IT’S NOT YOUR FAULT.
It’s not your fault the person died from #suicide. You need to hear that over and over.
Johnson said we sometimes dwell on the events of the death and looking for explanation: “We are bargaining to try and get back what has been lost.”
It doesn’t work.
Anger is another emotion.
“We lost someone, so someone has to be blamed,” said Johnson. “But the fact is, nobody could have prevented what happened.”
Sometimes, we are angry at the person who died from #suicide because of the grief and loss we feel.
DRAW CLOSER, DON’T ISOLATE
Johnson has taught grief recovery for years. He believes many people blame themselves for the loss of a loved one, and that they need to grow closer to God during this time – not farther away.
Psalm 34:18: “God is close to the broken-hearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”
Some people think God is “punishing them” because of the #suicide. It’s not true. But drawing closer to God, ask forgiveness for whatever is haunting you.
“God has forgiven us, but sometimes we don’t believe it and can’t forgive ourselves,” said Johnson. “That all can come up this time of year.”
Johnson mentioned the word “bereavement” means “robbed by death.” That’s how we feel this time of year. We were robbed.
It’s why grief recovery groups and counseling can help. Don’t isolate. Many places in the area offer free grief recovery. Check the internet.
If a friend is going through this, just listen. Grief Recovery calls it “being a heart with ears.” That’s a good assignment for many of us who want to help.
Photo by Tess Emily Seymour on Pexels.com
https://standingabovethecrowd.com/?p=8544
By Terry Pluto, cleveland.com
CLEVELAND, Ohio – This email came in from Jacob (not his real name):
“I’ve been thinking about all the mistakes I’ve made and all the trouble they have caused. I have also been thinking about my son, who died by #suicide several years ago.
“Was there something I could have said or done that would have stopped the #suicide? I tell myself that we do the best we can every day. Often the choices we make come from flawed thinking patterns which lead to trouble. I did the best I could raising my son. He was always troubled. Life just became too hard for him. He pushed everyone who loved him away. I will always love him and miss him.”
Pastor #RickWarren is famous for his Purpose Driven Life bestseller. Warren’s son died by #suicide in 2013.
“If any other organ of your body breaks down, there’s no #stigma,” Warren said in a sermon after his son’s death. “But if your brain doesn’t work, why are you ashamed of that?”
Matthew Warren died at the age of 27.
“Only those closest knew that he struggled from birth with #mentalillness, dark holes of #depression, and even suicidal thoughts,” Warren wrote in a message to his Saddleback Church congregation. “In spite of America’s best #doctors, meds, counselors and prayers for healing, the torture of #mentalillness never subsided.”
Hall of Fame football coach #TonyDungy lost his son to #suicide three days before Christmas in 2006. Jamie Dungy was 18.
Jamie Dungy died from hanging. Matthew Warren from a gunshot.
Warren explained on #socialmedia: “After a fun evening together with Kay and me, in a momentary wave of despair at his home, he took his life.”
In a 2019 interview with Focus on the Family, Dungy said: “There’s nothing you can do on earth after it’s happened, other than take care of your other family members and focus on nurturing them...You have to say, ‘How can I keep those relationships with my kids, keep the lines of communication open? How can I help them see the worth and the value that they have?’”
Dungy and his family have 10 #children; eight of them are adopted.
Warren and his wife Kay have spoken to many people who have lost loved ones to #suicide. The same also is true of Dungy.
NBC analyst and ex-#NFL head coach #TonyDungy lost his son to #suicide three days before Christmas in 2006. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane, File)
#JamesDonaldson notes:
Welcome to the “next chapter” of my life… being a voice and an advocate for #mentalhealthawarenessandsuicideprevention, especially pertaining to our younger generation of students and student-athletes.
Getting men to speak up and reach out for help and assistance is one of my passions. Us men need to not suffer in silence or drown our sorrows in alcohol, hang out at bars and strip joints, or get involved with drug use.
Having gone through a recent bout of #depression and #suicidalthoughts myself, I realize now, that I can make a huge difference in the lives of so many by sharing my story, and by sharing various resources I come across as I work in this space. #http://bit.ly/JamesMentalHealthArticle
WHY TALK ABOUT THIS NOW?
Most of us either know someone who died by #suicide, or know a person who had someone close to them die in that manner. Entire books have been written on this subject, so I understand this is a surface discussion. Nonetheless, the subject is often hidden behind a wall of silence in many families.
“It’s a trauma, especially this time of year,” said Bishop Joey Johnson of Akron’s House of the Lord. “The holidays are especially painful. In some ways, it’s like reliving it over again because we miss that person.”
I called Johnson because since 2002, he’s been a certified Grief Recovery Specialist from the Grief Recovery Institute. He also has written a book called “Grief: A Biblical Pathway to God.”
“So many people blame themselves,” said Johnson. “They say, ‘If I had just been there...’ You can’t stay with a person 24/7.”
He mentioned how years ago he counseled a couple whose son died of #suicide. The wife said to her husband, “If you had just been nice and more #patient, this never would have happened.”
Johnson sighed.
“You point a finger like that at someone else because of the guilt you feel,” he said. “Or it’s God’s fault. Someone has to be blamed. It often breaks apart families.”
Suicides happen in all kinds of families. All races. All economic classes. From famous people such as #RickWarren and #TonyDungy to people whose names only a few of us know.
“You are looking at an emotional, irrational act of an emotionally troubled person – and trying to find a rational reason for it,” said Johnson. “Mental illness can’t be viewed that way.”
Bishop Joey Johnson said blaming follows after someone close to us dies from #suicide, and it tears families apart. Photo from Bishop Joey Johnson.
WHOSE FAULT IS IT?
Many people reading this right now need to hear these words: IT’S NOT YOUR FAULT.
It’s not your fault the person died from #suicide. You need to hear that over and over.
Johnson said we sometimes dwell on the events of the death and looking for explanation: “We are bargaining to try and get back what has been lost.”
It doesn’t work.
Anger is another emotion.
“We lost someone, so someone has to be blamed,” said Johnson. “But the fact is, nobody could have prevented what happened.”
Sometimes, we are angry at the person who died from #suicide because of the grief and loss we feel.
DRAW CLOSER, DON’T ISOLATE
Johnson has taught grief recovery for years. He believes many people blame themselves for the loss of a loved one, and that they need to grow closer to God during this time – not farther away.
Psalm 34:18: “God is close to the broken-hearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”
Some people think God is “punishing them” because of the #suicide. It’s not true. But drawing closer to God, ask forgiveness for whatever is haunting you.
“God has forgiven us, but sometimes we don’t believe it and can’t forgive ourselves,” said Johnson. “That all can come up this time of year.”
Johnson mentioned the word “bereavement” means “robbed by death.” That’s how we feel this time of year. We were robbed.
It’s why grief recovery groups and counseling can help. Don’t isolate. Many places in the area offer free grief recovery. Check the internet.
If a friend is going through this, just listen. Grief Recovery calls it “being a heart with ears.” That’s a good assignment for many of us who want to help.
Photo by Tess Emily Seymour on Pexels.com
https://standingabovethecrowd.com/?p=8544
Knowing what makes kids act out is the first step to finding solutions
Caroline Miller
When #children act out more than occasionally — with frequent tantrums, outbursts or defiance — the first step to dealing with the problem #behavior is finding out what’s behind it. And the cause may not be obvious.
Especially when #children are young, they may not be able to tell you what they’re feeling. And in fact they may not even know what’s bothering them.
Tantrums and outbursts are usually signs that kids are struggling with feelings they don’t have the skills to manage. They may be overwhelmed by their frustration or anger and not know how to express themselves more effectively, or calm themselves down. They may need help developing skills to control their #behavior.
But if it’s happening a lot, it could be caused by a number of underlying issues.
#Anxiety
We tend to think of anxious kids as shy, clingy or timid, but #anxiety can also cause kids to act out. When anxious #children are put into situations that trigger their #anxiety, they may lash out or have a tantrum in an effort to escape that situation.
It’s not uncommon for it to happen at #school, where demands and expectations may put pressure on them that they can’t handle. For instance, if a child who has #socialanxiety feels criticized, they might throw books and papers on the floor, or punch the person making them uncomfortable. And that #behavior can be very confusing to #teachers and other staff, since it seems to come out of nowhere.
#ADHD
#ADHD is usually diagnosed when kids are having trouble paying attention. But for many #children with the disorder — and their parents — #behavior is a big problem, too. They may ignore instructions. And they may lash out, throw a tantrum or be defiant when they are asked to do things they don’t want to do.
This #behavior is often a result of #ADHD symptoms. They may not do what they’re told because they are distracted, or because it’s unusually hard for them to tolerate tasks that are difficult or boring. They’re especially likely to misbehave if they’re asked to stop doing something they enjoy, like playing a video game. So things like homework, going to bed, getting dressed and coming to dinner can become battlegrounds.
#Children with #ADHD are also more impulsive than other kids. They may be overwhelmed with frustration or other powerful feelings, and might impulsively throw a shoe or push someone or yell “shut up!”
Learning Disorders
If a child acts out repeatedly in #school or during homework time it could be the result of a learning disorder. If, for instance, they have trouble with math problems or a writing assignment, rather than ask for help, they might rip up the paper or start something with another child to create a diversion.
Kids who find learning harder than other kids do can be very frustrated and lose their temper frequently. And if they don’t know they have a learning disorder, they can worry that they’re stupid. So they often tend to hide their struggles. Getting into trouble might be less painful than letting people know that something is wrong with them. Paying attention to when the problem #behavior happens can lead to exposing a learning issue and getting a #child help.
#JamesDonaldson notes:
Welcome to the “next chapter” of my life… being a voice and an advocate for #mentalhealthawarenessandsuicideprevention, especially pertaining to our younger generation of students and student-athletes.
Getting men to speak up and reach out for help and assistance is one of my passions. Us men need to not suffer in silence or drown our sorrows in alcohol, hang out at bars and strip joints, or get involved with drug use.
Having gone through a recent bout of #depression and #suicidalthoughts myself, I realize now, that I can make a huge difference in the lives of so many by sharing my story, and by sharing various resources I come across as I work in this space. #http://bit.ly/JamesMentalHealthArticle
Sensory Processing Problems
#Children who have trouble processing sensory information can have extreme and confusing #behavior when their senses are overwhelmed. They might do things like scream if their faces get wet or have a meltdown if they’re in a situation that’s too bright, noisy or crowded. They might refuse to wear clothes that they find uncomfortable or eat food that feels wrong in their mouths.
Kids with sensory problems can also be rigid about routines and get upset or resist changes that seem insignificant to other people. They are also at risk for running away when an environment feels too overwhelming for them. The “fight or flight” response can kick in when kids are feeling overloaded with sensory input, and their panicked reactions can put them in real danger.
#Depression
Some #children who have frequent temper tantrums have a disorder called disruptive mood dysregulation disorder, or DMDD. These kids have severe tantrums with chronic irritability in between outbursts. They tend to view thigs negatively, and are quick to explode over issues that seem minor to other people.
#Autism
#Children on the autism spectrum are often prone to dramatic meltdowns. These #children tend to be rigid — dependent on consistent routines for their emotional comfort — and any unexpected change can set them off. And they may lack the language and communication skills to express what they want or need.
Some #behaviorproblems in kids with autism can be caused by medical issues that have gone unrecognized, especially in kids who are nonverbal. These include things like acid reflux, constipation, allergies, menstrual cramps, ear infections and even bone fractures. All kids exhibit more negative #behaviors when they don’t feel well, and kids on the spectrum may explode out of frustration that they are in pain and don’t know how to communicate it, or make it stop.
Trauma
#Children who have been subjected to trauma or abuse often have trouble managing strong emotions. As babies and toddlers, #children learn from #adults how to calm and soothe themselves by being calmed and soothed by #adults. If they haven’t had that experience, because of neglect, they can be quick to act out when they get upset, and have trouble calming down. They need coaching and practice at de-escalating when they feel overwhelmed.
Kids who have experienced trauma also tend to interpret other people as hostile to them, so they may act out irritably in response. They may develop the belief that they’re bad, and what’s happened to them is their fault. This leads to the expectation that people are not going to like them or treat them well, so there’s no point in trying to behave.
Caroline Miller
Caroline Miller is the editorial director of the #ChildMindInstitute. She is a veteran magazine, newspaper and website editor … Read Bio
https://standingabovethecrowd.com/?p=8489
Caroline Miller
When #children act out more than occasionally — with frequent tantrums, outbursts or defiance — the first step to dealing with the problem #behavior is finding out what’s behind it. And the cause may not be obvious.
Especially when #children are young, they may not be able to tell you what they’re feeling. And in fact they may not even know what’s bothering them.
Tantrums and outbursts are usually signs that kids are struggling with feelings they don’t have the skills to manage. They may be overwhelmed by their frustration or anger and not know how to express themselves more effectively, or calm themselves down. They may need help developing skills to control their #behavior.
But if it’s happening a lot, it could be caused by a number of underlying issues.
#Anxiety
We tend to think of anxious kids as shy, clingy or timid, but #anxiety can also cause kids to act out. When anxious #children are put into situations that trigger their #anxiety, they may lash out or have a tantrum in an effort to escape that situation.
It’s not uncommon for it to happen at #school, where demands and expectations may put pressure on them that they can’t handle. For instance, if a child who has #socialanxiety feels criticized, they might throw books and papers on the floor, or punch the person making them uncomfortable. And that #behavior can be very confusing to #teachers and other staff, since it seems to come out of nowhere.
#ADHD
#ADHD is usually diagnosed when kids are having trouble paying attention. But for many #children with the disorder — and their parents — #behavior is a big problem, too. They may ignore instructions. And they may lash out, throw a tantrum or be defiant when they are asked to do things they don’t want to do.
This #behavior is often a result of #ADHD symptoms. They may not do what they’re told because they are distracted, or because it’s unusually hard for them to tolerate tasks that are difficult or boring. They’re especially likely to misbehave if they’re asked to stop doing something they enjoy, like playing a video game. So things like homework, going to bed, getting dressed and coming to dinner can become battlegrounds.
#Children with #ADHD are also more impulsive than other kids. They may be overwhelmed with frustration or other powerful feelings, and might impulsively throw a shoe or push someone or yell “shut up!”
Learning Disorders
If a child acts out repeatedly in #school or during homework time it could be the result of a learning disorder. If, for instance, they have trouble with math problems or a writing assignment, rather than ask for help, they might rip up the paper or start something with another child to create a diversion.
Kids who find learning harder than other kids do can be very frustrated and lose their temper frequently. And if they don’t know they have a learning disorder, they can worry that they’re stupid. So they often tend to hide their struggles. Getting into trouble might be less painful than letting people know that something is wrong with them. Paying attention to when the problem #behavior happens can lead to exposing a learning issue and getting a #child help.
#JamesDonaldson notes:
Welcome to the “next chapter” of my life… being a voice and an advocate for #mentalhealthawarenessandsuicideprevention, especially pertaining to our younger generation of students and student-athletes.
Getting men to speak up and reach out for help and assistance is one of my passions. Us men need to not suffer in silence or drown our sorrows in alcohol, hang out at bars and strip joints, or get involved with drug use.
Having gone through a recent bout of #depression and #suicidalthoughts myself, I realize now, that I can make a huge difference in the lives of so many by sharing my story, and by sharing various resources I come across as I work in this space. #http://bit.ly/JamesMentalHealthArticle
Sensory Processing Problems
#Children who have trouble processing sensory information can have extreme and confusing #behavior when their senses are overwhelmed. They might do things like scream if their faces get wet or have a meltdown if they’re in a situation that’s too bright, noisy or crowded. They might refuse to wear clothes that they find uncomfortable or eat food that feels wrong in their mouths.
Kids with sensory problems can also be rigid about routines and get upset or resist changes that seem insignificant to other people. They are also at risk for running away when an environment feels too overwhelming for them. The “fight or flight” response can kick in when kids are feeling overloaded with sensory input, and their panicked reactions can put them in real danger.
#Depression
Some #children who have frequent temper tantrums have a disorder called disruptive mood dysregulation disorder, or DMDD. These kids have severe tantrums with chronic irritability in between outbursts. They tend to view thigs negatively, and are quick to explode over issues that seem minor to other people.
#Autism
#Children on the autism spectrum are often prone to dramatic meltdowns. These #children tend to be rigid — dependent on consistent routines for their emotional comfort — and any unexpected change can set them off. And they may lack the language and communication skills to express what they want or need.
Some #behaviorproblems in kids with autism can be caused by medical issues that have gone unrecognized, especially in kids who are nonverbal. These include things like acid reflux, constipation, allergies, menstrual cramps, ear infections and even bone fractures. All kids exhibit more negative #behaviors when they don’t feel well, and kids on the spectrum may explode out of frustration that they are in pain and don’t know how to communicate it, or make it stop.
Trauma
#Children who have been subjected to trauma or abuse often have trouble managing strong emotions. As babies and toddlers, #children learn from #adults how to calm and soothe themselves by being calmed and soothed by #adults. If they haven’t had that experience, because of neglect, they can be quick to act out when they get upset, and have trouble calming down. They need coaching and practice at de-escalating when they feel overwhelmed.
Kids who have experienced trauma also tend to interpret other people as hostile to them, so they may act out irritably in response. They may develop the belief that they’re bad, and what’s happened to them is their fault. This leads to the expectation that people are not going to like them or treat them well, so there’s no point in trying to behave.
Caroline Miller
Caroline Miller is the editorial director of the #ChildMindInstitute. She is a veteran magazine, newspaper and website editor … Read Bio
https://standingabovethecrowd.com/?p=8489
Knowing what makes kids act out is the first step to finding solutions
Caroline Miller
When #children act out more than occasionally — with frequent tantrums, outbursts or defiance — the first step to dealing with the problem #behavior is finding out what’s behind it. And the cause may not be obvious.
Especially when #children are young, they may not be able to tell you what they’re feeling. And in fact they may not even know what’s bothering them.
Tantrums and outbursts are usually signs that kids are struggling with feelings they don’t have the skills to manage. They may be overwhelmed by their frustration or anger and not know how to express themselves more effectively, or calm themselves down. They may need help developing skills to control their #behavior.
But if it’s happening a lot, it could be caused by a number of underlying issues.
#Anxiety
We tend to think of anxious kids as shy, clingy or timid, but #anxiety can also cause kids to act out. When anxious #children are put into situations that trigger their #anxiety, they may lash out or have a tantrum in an effort to escape that situation.
It’s not uncommon for it to happen at #school, where demands and expectations may put pressure on them that they can’t handle. For instance, if a child who has #socialanxiety feels criticized, they might throw books and papers on the floor, or punch the person making them uncomfortable. And that #behavior can be very confusing to #teachers and other staff, since it seems to come out of nowhere.
#ADHD
#ADHD is usually diagnosed when kids are having trouble paying attention. But for many #children with the disorder — and their parents — #behavior is a big problem, too. They may ignore instructions. And they may lash out, throw a tantrum or be defiant when they are asked to do things they don’t want to do.
This #behavior is often a result of #ADHD symptoms. They may not do what they’re told because they are distracted, or because it’s unusually hard for them to tolerate tasks that are difficult or boring. They’re especially likely to misbehave if they’re asked to stop doing something they enjoy, like playing a video game. So things like homework, going to bed, getting dressed and coming to dinner can become battlegrounds.
#Children with #ADHD are also more impulsive than other kids. They may be overwhelmed with frustration or other powerful feelings, and might impulsively throw a shoe or push someone or yell “shut up!”
Learning Disorders
If a child acts out repeatedly in #school or during homework time it could be the result of a learning disorder. If, for instance, they have trouble with math problems or a writing assignment, rather than ask for help, they might rip up the paper or start something with another child to create a diversion.
Kids who find learning harder than other kids do can be very frustrated and lose their temper frequently. And if they don’t know they have a learning disorder, they can worry that they’re stupid. So they often tend to hide their struggles. Getting into trouble might be less painful than letting people know that something is wrong with them. Paying attention to when the problem #behavior happens can lead to exposing a learning issue and getting a #child help.
#JamesDonaldson notes:
Welcome to the “next chapter” of my life… being a voice and an advocate for #mentalhealthawarenessandsuicideprevention, especially pertaining to our younger generation of students and student-athletes.
Getting men to speak up and reach out for help and assistance is one of my passions. Us men need to not suffer in silence or drown our sorrows in alcohol, hang out at bars and strip joints, or get involved with drug use.
Having gone through a recent bout of #depression and #suicidalthoughts myself, I realize now, that I can make a huge difference in the lives of so many by sharing my story, and by sharing various resources I come across as I work in this space. #http://bit.ly/JamesMentalHealthArticle
Sensory Processing Problems
#Children who have trouble processing sensory information can have extreme and confusing #behavior when their senses are overwhelmed. They might do things like scream if their faces get wet or have a meltdown if they’re in a situation that’s too bright, noisy or crowded. They might refuse to wear clothes that they find uncomfortable or eat food that feels wrong in their mouths.
Kids with sensory problems can also be rigid about routines and get upset or resist changes that seem insignificant to other people. They are also at risk for running away when an environment feels too overwhelming for them. The “fight or flight” response can kick in when kids are feeling overloaded with sensory input, and their panicked reactions can put them in real danger.
#Depression
Some #children who have frequent temper tantrums have a disorder called disruptive mood dysregulation disorder, or DMDD. These kids have severe tantrums with chronic irritability in between outbursts. They tend to view thigs negatively, and are quick to explode over issues that seem minor to other people.
#Autism
#Children on the autism spectrum are often prone to dramatic meltdowns. These #children tend to be rigid — dependent on consistent routines for their emotional comfort — and any unexpected change can set them off. And they may lack the language and communication skills to express what they want or need.
Some #behaviorproblems in kids with autism can be caused by medical issues that have gone unrecognized, especially in kids who are nonverbal. These include things like acid reflux, constipation, allergies, menstrual cramps, ear infections and even bone fractures. All kids exhibit more negative #behaviors when they don’t feel well, and kids on the spectrum may explode out of frustration that they are in pain and don’t know how to communicate it, or make it stop.
Trauma
#Children who have been subjected to trauma or abuse often have trouble managing strong emotions. As babies and toddlers, #children learn from #adults how to calm and soothe themselves by being calmed and soothed by #adults. If they haven’t had that experience, because of neglect, they can be quick to act out when they get upset, and have trouble calming down. They need coaching and practice at de-escalating when they feel overwhelmed.
Kids who have experienced trauma also tend to interpret other people as hostile to them, so they may act out irritably in response. They may develop the belief that they’re bad, and what’s happened to them is their fault. This leads to the expectation that people are not going to like them or treat them well, so there’s no point in trying to behave.
Caroline Miller
Caroline Miller is the editorial director of the #ChildMindInstitute. She is a veteran magazine, newspaper and website editor … Read Bio
https://standingabovethecrowd.com/?p=8489
Caroline Miller
When #children act out more than occasionally — with frequent tantrums, outbursts or defiance — the first step to dealing with the problem #behavior is finding out what’s behind it. And the cause may not be obvious.
Especially when #children are young, they may not be able to tell you what they’re feeling. And in fact they may not even know what’s bothering them.
Tantrums and outbursts are usually signs that kids are struggling with feelings they don’t have the skills to manage. They may be overwhelmed by their frustration or anger and not know how to express themselves more effectively, or calm themselves down. They may need help developing skills to control their #behavior.
But if it’s happening a lot, it could be caused by a number of underlying issues.
#Anxiety
We tend to think of anxious kids as shy, clingy or timid, but #anxiety can also cause kids to act out. When anxious #children are put into situations that trigger their #anxiety, they may lash out or have a tantrum in an effort to escape that situation.
It’s not uncommon for it to happen at #school, where demands and expectations may put pressure on them that they can’t handle. For instance, if a child who has #socialanxiety feels criticized, they might throw books and papers on the floor, or punch the person making them uncomfortable. And that #behavior can be very confusing to #teachers and other staff, since it seems to come out of nowhere.
#ADHD
#ADHD is usually diagnosed when kids are having trouble paying attention. But for many #children with the disorder — and their parents — #behavior is a big problem, too. They may ignore instructions. And they may lash out, throw a tantrum or be defiant when they are asked to do things they don’t want to do.
This #behavior is often a result of #ADHD symptoms. They may not do what they’re told because they are distracted, or because it’s unusually hard for them to tolerate tasks that are difficult or boring. They’re especially likely to misbehave if they’re asked to stop doing something they enjoy, like playing a video game. So things like homework, going to bed, getting dressed and coming to dinner can become battlegrounds.
#Children with #ADHD are also more impulsive than other kids. They may be overwhelmed with frustration or other powerful feelings, and might impulsively throw a shoe or push someone or yell “shut up!”
Learning Disorders
If a child acts out repeatedly in #school or during homework time it could be the result of a learning disorder. If, for instance, they have trouble with math problems or a writing assignment, rather than ask for help, they might rip up the paper or start something with another child to create a diversion.
Kids who find learning harder than other kids do can be very frustrated and lose their temper frequently. And if they don’t know they have a learning disorder, they can worry that they’re stupid. So they often tend to hide their struggles. Getting into trouble might be less painful than letting people know that something is wrong with them. Paying attention to when the problem #behavior happens can lead to exposing a learning issue and getting a #child help.
#JamesDonaldson notes:
Welcome to the “next chapter” of my life… being a voice and an advocate for #mentalhealthawarenessandsuicideprevention, especially pertaining to our younger generation of students and student-athletes.
Getting men to speak up and reach out for help and assistance is one of my passions. Us men need to not suffer in silence or drown our sorrows in alcohol, hang out at bars and strip joints, or get involved with drug use.
Having gone through a recent bout of #depression and #suicidalthoughts myself, I realize now, that I can make a huge difference in the lives of so many by sharing my story, and by sharing various resources I come across as I work in this space. #http://bit.ly/JamesMentalHealthArticle
Sensory Processing Problems
#Children who have trouble processing sensory information can have extreme and confusing #behavior when their senses are overwhelmed. They might do things like scream if their faces get wet or have a meltdown if they’re in a situation that’s too bright, noisy or crowded. They might refuse to wear clothes that they find uncomfortable or eat food that feels wrong in their mouths.
Kids with sensory problems can also be rigid about routines and get upset or resist changes that seem insignificant to other people. They are also at risk for running away when an environment feels too overwhelming for them. The “fight or flight” response can kick in when kids are feeling overloaded with sensory input, and their panicked reactions can put them in real danger.
#Depression
Some #children who have frequent temper tantrums have a disorder called disruptive mood dysregulation disorder, or DMDD. These kids have severe tantrums with chronic irritability in between outbursts. They tend to view thigs negatively, and are quick to explode over issues that seem minor to other people.
#Autism
#Children on the autism spectrum are often prone to dramatic meltdowns. These #children tend to be rigid — dependent on consistent routines for their emotional comfort — and any unexpected change can set them off. And they may lack the language and communication skills to express what they want or need.
Some #behaviorproblems in kids with autism can be caused by medical issues that have gone unrecognized, especially in kids who are nonverbal. These include things like acid reflux, constipation, allergies, menstrual cramps, ear infections and even bone fractures. All kids exhibit more negative #behaviors when they don’t feel well, and kids on the spectrum may explode out of frustration that they are in pain and don’t know how to communicate it, or make it stop.
Trauma
#Children who have been subjected to trauma or abuse often have trouble managing strong emotions. As babies and toddlers, #children learn from #adults how to calm and soothe themselves by being calmed and soothed by #adults. If they haven’t had that experience, because of neglect, they can be quick to act out when they get upset, and have trouble calming down. They need coaching and practice at de-escalating when they feel overwhelmed.
Kids who have experienced trauma also tend to interpret other people as hostile to them, so they may act out irritably in response. They may develop the belief that they’re bad, and what’s happened to them is their fault. This leads to the expectation that people are not going to like them or treat them well, so there’s no point in trying to behave.
Caroline Miller
Caroline Miller is the editorial director of the #ChildMindInstitute. She is a veteran magazine, newspaper and website editor … Read Bio
https://standingabovethecrowd.com/?p=8489
Thursday, December 30, 2021
Five Signs Of #MentalHealth Crisis
On ABC's "The Bachelorette" Tuesday night, an important conversation aired regarding #suicide and #mentalhealth.
It is a topic that affects more people than you may imagine, and it's becoming a crisis in our state.
According to the Alabama Department of Public Health, Alabama had a higher rate of suicides than homicides in 2019. #Suicide rates for Alabama have been consistently higher than U.S. rates.
Help is out there. Health experts want to make sure everyone knows the signs to look for if someone you love is in trouble. Josaylon Henry, chief clinical officer at Wellstone #BehavioralHealth, said there are five signs in particular to be aware of.
The first is if someone is starting to become self-isolated, or "withdrawing from other people," Henry said.
Second, look to see if there are sudden changes in their interests.
"They may not be interested in the activities they once were interested in," Henry said.
Is your loved one suddenly giving up on a passion of theirs? Henry said it is important to look at any drastic changes in the way they go about their everyday life. Which brings us to the third sign: Are their eating or sleeping patterns different?
The fourth sign is to pay attention to how long they are acting different.
"They may just be down and out for longer periods of time than what's normal to them," Henry said.
Lastly, are you noticing an abundance of #stress or #anxiety in your loved one? Henry said the #pandemic has caused more people to experience these symptoms.
"They are not able to maybe meet financial obligations, maybe not socializing because of the #pandemic the way that they once were," Henry said. "They ... may be having to switch their schedules because of their kids and the virtual learning they were going through."
Not everyone's #mentalhealth will look the same, but it is important to be honest with those you care about if you are noticing these changes, Henry said. If the issues have been going on for several weeks without changes for the better, then it's more than likely time to reach out for professional help, according to Henry.
There is hope anyone can get better. Henry has been in this field for more than 20 years. She said she continues to do what she does because of all the people she has witnessed find happiness and peace through proper care.
"I'm in this field to see the progress that I know individuals will and can make if they just reach out and get the help that is needed," Henry said.
If you are noticing these changes in yourself, talk to someone. There is always someone willing to listen and address those feelings.
#JamesDonaldson notes:
Welcome to the “next chapter” of my life… being a voice and an advocate for #mentalhealthawarenessandsuicideprevention, especially pertaining to our younger generation of students and student-athletes.
Getting men to speak up and reach out for help and assistance is one of my passions. Us men need to not suffer in silence or drown our sorrows in alcohol, hang out at bars and strip joints, or get involved with drug use.
Having gone through a recent bout of #depression and #suicidalthoughts myself, I realize now, that I can make a huge difference in the lives of so many by sharing my story, and by sharing various resources I come across as I work in this space. #http://bit.ly/JamesMentalHealthArticle
5 Signs To Look Out For:
1. #Isolation
2. Loss of interests
3. Changes in eating or sleeping pattern
4. Feeling down or out of it for an extended period of time
5. Abundance of #stress or #anxiety
If you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of #suicide, please call the #suicidepreventionhotline at 1-800-273-8255.
https://standingabovethecrowd.com/?p=8535
On ABC's "The Bachelorette" Tuesday night, an important conversation aired regarding #suicide and #mentalhealth.
It is a topic that affects more people than you may imagine, and it's becoming a crisis in our state.
According to the Alabama Department of Public Health, Alabama had a higher rate of suicides than homicides in 2019. #Suicide rates for Alabama have been consistently higher than U.S. rates.
Help is out there. Health experts want to make sure everyone knows the signs to look for if someone you love is in trouble. Josaylon Henry, chief clinical officer at Wellstone #BehavioralHealth, said there are five signs in particular to be aware of.
The first is if someone is starting to become self-isolated, or "withdrawing from other people," Henry said.
Second, look to see if there are sudden changes in their interests.
"They may not be interested in the activities they once were interested in," Henry said.
Is your loved one suddenly giving up on a passion of theirs? Henry said it is important to look at any drastic changes in the way they go about their everyday life. Which brings us to the third sign: Are their eating or sleeping patterns different?
The fourth sign is to pay attention to how long they are acting different.
"They may just be down and out for longer periods of time than what's normal to them," Henry said.
Lastly, are you noticing an abundance of #stress or #anxiety in your loved one? Henry said the #pandemic has caused more people to experience these symptoms.
"They are not able to maybe meet financial obligations, maybe not socializing because of the #pandemic the way that they once were," Henry said. "They ... may be having to switch their schedules because of their kids and the virtual learning they were going through."
Not everyone's #mentalhealth will look the same, but it is important to be honest with those you care about if you are noticing these changes, Henry said. If the issues have been going on for several weeks without changes for the better, then it's more than likely time to reach out for professional help, according to Henry.
There is hope anyone can get better. Henry has been in this field for more than 20 years. She said she continues to do what she does because of all the people she has witnessed find happiness and peace through proper care.
"I'm in this field to see the progress that I know individuals will and can make if they just reach out and get the help that is needed," Henry said.
If you are noticing these changes in yourself, talk to someone. There is always someone willing to listen and address those feelings.
#JamesDonaldson notes:
Welcome to the “next chapter” of my life… being a voice and an advocate for #mentalhealthawarenessandsuicideprevention, especially pertaining to our younger generation of students and student-athletes.
Getting men to speak up and reach out for help and assistance is one of my passions. Us men need to not suffer in silence or drown our sorrows in alcohol, hang out at bars and strip joints, or get involved with drug use.
Having gone through a recent bout of #depression and #suicidalthoughts myself, I realize now, that I can make a huge difference in the lives of so many by sharing my story, and by sharing various resources I come across as I work in this space. #http://bit.ly/JamesMentalHealthArticle
5 Signs To Look Out For:
1. #Isolation
2. Loss of interests
3. Changes in eating or sleeping pattern
4. Feeling down or out of it for an extended period of time
5. Abundance of #stress or #anxiety
If you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of #suicide, please call the #suicidepreventionhotline at 1-800-273-8255.
https://standingabovethecrowd.com/?p=8535
Five Signs Of #MentalHealth Crisis
On ABC's "The Bachelorette" Tuesday night, an important conversation aired regarding #suicide and #mentalhealth.
It is a topic that affects more people than you may imagine, and it's becoming a crisis in our state.
According to the Alabama Department of Public Health, Alabama had a higher rate of suicides than homicides in 2019. #Suicide rates for Alabama have been consistently higher than U.S. rates.
Help is out there. Health experts want to make sure everyone knows the signs to look for if someone you love is in trouble. Josaylon Henry, chief clinical officer at Wellstone #BehavioralHealth, said there are five signs in particular to be aware of.
The first is if someone is starting to become self-isolated, or "withdrawing from other people," Henry said.
Second, look to see if there are sudden changes in their interests.
"They may not be interested in the activities they once were interested in," Henry said.
Is your loved one suddenly giving up on a passion of theirs? Henry said it is important to look at any drastic changes in the way they go about their everyday life. Which brings us to the third sign: Are their eating or sleeping patterns different?
The fourth sign is to pay attention to how long they are acting different.
"They may just be down and out for longer periods of time than what's normal to them," Henry said.
Lastly, are you noticing an abundance of #stress or #anxiety in your loved one? Henry said the #pandemic has caused more people to experience these symptoms.
"They are not able to maybe meet financial obligations, maybe not socializing because of the #pandemic the way that they once were," Henry said. "They ... may be having to switch their schedules because of their kids and the virtual learning they were going through."
Not everyone's #mentalhealth will look the same, but it is important to be honest with those you care about if you are noticing these changes, Henry said. If the issues have been going on for several weeks without changes for the better, then it's more than likely time to reach out for professional help, according to Henry.
There is hope anyone can get better. Henry has been in this field for more than 20 years. She said she continues to do what she does because of all the people she has witnessed find happiness and peace through proper care.
"I'm in this field to see the progress that I know individuals will and can make if they just reach out and get the help that is needed," Henry said.
If you are noticing these changes in yourself, talk to someone. There is always someone willing to listen and address those feelings.
#JamesDonaldson notes:
Welcome to the “next chapter” of my life… being a voice and an advocate for #mentalhealthawarenessandsuicideprevention, especially pertaining to our younger generation of students and student-athletes.
Getting men to speak up and reach out for help and assistance is one of my passions. Us men need to not suffer in silence or drown our sorrows in alcohol, hang out at bars and strip joints, or get involved with drug use.
Having gone through a recent bout of #depression and #suicidalthoughts myself, I realize now, that I can make a huge difference in the lives of so many by sharing my story, and by sharing various resources I come across as I work in this space. #http://bit.ly/JamesMentalHealthArticle
5 Signs To Look Out For:
1. #Isolation
2. Loss of interests
3. Changes in eating or sleeping pattern
4. Feeling down or out of it for an extended period of time
5. Abundance of #stress or #anxiety
If you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of #suicide, please call the #suicidepreventionhotline at 1-800-273-8255.
https://standingabovethecrowd.com/?p=8535
On ABC's "The Bachelorette" Tuesday night, an important conversation aired regarding #suicide and #mentalhealth.
It is a topic that affects more people than you may imagine, and it's becoming a crisis in our state.
According to the Alabama Department of Public Health, Alabama had a higher rate of suicides than homicides in 2019. #Suicide rates for Alabama have been consistently higher than U.S. rates.
Help is out there. Health experts want to make sure everyone knows the signs to look for if someone you love is in trouble. Josaylon Henry, chief clinical officer at Wellstone #BehavioralHealth, said there are five signs in particular to be aware of.
The first is if someone is starting to become self-isolated, or "withdrawing from other people," Henry said.
Second, look to see if there are sudden changes in their interests.
"They may not be interested in the activities they once were interested in," Henry said.
Is your loved one suddenly giving up on a passion of theirs? Henry said it is important to look at any drastic changes in the way they go about their everyday life. Which brings us to the third sign: Are their eating or sleeping patterns different?
The fourth sign is to pay attention to how long they are acting different.
"They may just be down and out for longer periods of time than what's normal to them," Henry said.
Lastly, are you noticing an abundance of #stress or #anxiety in your loved one? Henry said the #pandemic has caused more people to experience these symptoms.
"They are not able to maybe meet financial obligations, maybe not socializing because of the #pandemic the way that they once were," Henry said. "They ... may be having to switch their schedules because of their kids and the virtual learning they were going through."
Not everyone's #mentalhealth will look the same, but it is important to be honest with those you care about if you are noticing these changes, Henry said. If the issues have been going on for several weeks without changes for the better, then it's more than likely time to reach out for professional help, according to Henry.
There is hope anyone can get better. Henry has been in this field for more than 20 years. She said she continues to do what she does because of all the people she has witnessed find happiness and peace through proper care.
"I'm in this field to see the progress that I know individuals will and can make if they just reach out and get the help that is needed," Henry said.
If you are noticing these changes in yourself, talk to someone. There is always someone willing to listen and address those feelings.
#JamesDonaldson notes:
Welcome to the “next chapter” of my life… being a voice and an advocate for #mentalhealthawarenessandsuicideprevention, especially pertaining to our younger generation of students and student-athletes.
Getting men to speak up and reach out for help and assistance is one of my passions. Us men need to not suffer in silence or drown our sorrows in alcohol, hang out at bars and strip joints, or get involved with drug use.
Having gone through a recent bout of #depression and #suicidalthoughts myself, I realize now, that I can make a huge difference in the lives of so many by sharing my story, and by sharing various resources I come across as I work in this space. #http://bit.ly/JamesMentalHealthArticle
5 Signs To Look Out For:
1. #Isolation
2. Loss of interests
3. Changes in eating or sleeping pattern
4. Feeling down or out of it for an extended period of time
5. Abundance of #stress or #anxiety
If you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of #suicide, please call the #suicidepreventionhotline at 1-800-273-8255.
https://standingabovethecrowd.com/?p=8535
Wednesday, December 29, 2021
Photo by Ketut Subiyanto on Pexels.com
#Suicideprevention efforts may need to account for #ethnicity because of variation across underrepresented groups, according to results of an observational cohort study published in Lancet Psychiatry.
“Over the past 2 decades, we have seen the introduction of the national #suicideprevention strategy and major policy initiatives to improve #mentalhealthcare provision,” Isabelle M Hunt, PhD, of the Centre for #MentalHealth and Safety at the University of Manchester in the U.K., and colleagues wrote. “However, regarding #mentalhealthcare for #minority #ethnic #patients, we still do not know whether services are fit for purpose, yet knowledge of the relative risks of #suicide and the characteristics of #minority #ethnic #patients who have died by #suicide could inform preventative efforts.”
Source: Adobe Stock
#JamesDonaldson notes:
Welcome to the “next chapter” of my life… being a voice and an advocate for #mentalhealthawarenessandsuicideprevention, especially pertaining to our younger generation of students and student-athletes.
Getting men to speak up and reach out for help and assistance is one of my passions. Us men need to not suffer in silence or drown our sorrows in alcohol, hang out at bars and strip joints, or get involved with drug use.
Having gone through a recent bout of #depression and #suicidalthoughts myself, I realize now, that I can make a huge difference in the lives of so many by sharing my story, and by sharing various resources I come across as I work in this space. #http://bit.ly/JamesMentalHealthArticle
The investigators sought to assess #suicide rates among #psychiatric #patients from underrepresented #ethnic groups and outline their social and clinical characteristics. They analyzed data of those who died by #suicide within 12 months of #mentalhealthservice contact between 2007 and 2018, with data collection occurring for the National Confidential Inquiry into #Suicide and Safety in #MentalHealth. They compared #suicide rates and standardized mortality ratios (SMRs) of 698 South #Asian, #Black #African, #Black Caribbean and #Chinese #patients (69% #men; mean age, 41 years) with those of 13,567 white #patients (66.6% men; mean age, 48 years).
Results showed lower #suicide rates and SMRs among #patients from underrepresented #ethnic groups compared with white #patients per 100,000 population. Between #ethnic groups, #Black Caribbean #patients (1.89 deaths per 100,000 population) had higher #suicide rates, and South #Asian #patients (1.49 deaths per 100,000 population) had lower #suicide rates. White #patients had an increase in rates between 2007 and 2012, followed by a decrease, but other #ethnic groups had no change. #Black African #patients (54%) and Black Caribbean #patients (44%) had higher rates of #schizophrenia, whereas South #Asian #patients (41%) had higher rates of affective disorder. #Patients from underrepresented #ethnic groups overall exhibited markers of social adversity and received higher intensity care; however, clinicians viewed them as lower risk than white #patients.
“The important social and clinical differences we found between #minority #ethnic groups highlights that the one size fits all approach by #mentalhealthservices might not be fit for purpose,” Hunt and colleagues wrote. “Care needs to be better tailored to meet the needs of individual #minority #ethnic #patients, and approaches to prevention should not treat #minority #ethnic #patients as homogenous groups.”
In a related editorial, Phoebe Barnett, of the research department of clinical, educational and health #psychology at the University College London, outlined a possible goal for #mentalhealthservices related to bias reduction.
“#Mentalhealthservices should work towards establishing a means of assessing the need for care that limits potentially implicit biases and ensures that adequate care is readily accessible and provided promptly and in the least restrictive means possible,” Barnett wrote.
Photo by Ketut Subiyanto on Pexels.com
https://standingabovethecrowd.com/?p=8528
#Suicideprevention efforts may need to account for #ethnicity because of variation across underrepresented groups, according to results of an observational cohort study published in Lancet Psychiatry.
“Over the past 2 decades, we have seen the introduction of the national #suicideprevention strategy and major policy initiatives to improve #mentalhealthcare provision,” Isabelle M Hunt, PhD, of the Centre for #MentalHealth and Safety at the University of Manchester in the U.K., and colleagues wrote. “However, regarding #mentalhealthcare for #minority #ethnic #patients, we still do not know whether services are fit for purpose, yet knowledge of the relative risks of #suicide and the characteristics of #minority #ethnic #patients who have died by #suicide could inform preventative efforts.”
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#JamesDonaldson notes:
Welcome to the “next chapter” of my life… being a voice and an advocate for #mentalhealthawarenessandsuicideprevention, especially pertaining to our younger generation of students and student-athletes.
Getting men to speak up and reach out for help and assistance is one of my passions. Us men need to not suffer in silence or drown our sorrows in alcohol, hang out at bars and strip joints, or get involved with drug use.
Having gone through a recent bout of #depression and #suicidalthoughts myself, I realize now, that I can make a huge difference in the lives of so many by sharing my story, and by sharing various resources I come across as I work in this space. #http://bit.ly/JamesMentalHealthArticle
The investigators sought to assess #suicide rates among #psychiatric #patients from underrepresented #ethnic groups and outline their social and clinical characteristics. They analyzed data of those who died by #suicide within 12 months of #mentalhealthservice contact between 2007 and 2018, with data collection occurring for the National Confidential Inquiry into #Suicide and Safety in #MentalHealth. They compared #suicide rates and standardized mortality ratios (SMRs) of 698 South #Asian, #Black #African, #Black Caribbean and #Chinese #patients (69% #men; mean age, 41 years) with those of 13,567 white #patients (66.6% men; mean age, 48 years).
Results showed lower #suicide rates and SMRs among #patients from underrepresented #ethnic groups compared with white #patients per 100,000 population. Between #ethnic groups, #Black Caribbean #patients (1.89 deaths per 100,000 population) had higher #suicide rates, and South #Asian #patients (1.49 deaths per 100,000 population) had lower #suicide rates. White #patients had an increase in rates between 2007 and 2012, followed by a decrease, but other #ethnic groups had no change. #Black African #patients (54%) and Black Caribbean #patients (44%) had higher rates of #schizophrenia, whereas South #Asian #patients (41%) had higher rates of affective disorder. #Patients from underrepresented #ethnic groups overall exhibited markers of social adversity and received higher intensity care; however, clinicians viewed them as lower risk than white #patients.
“The important social and clinical differences we found between #minority #ethnic groups highlights that the one size fits all approach by #mentalhealthservices might not be fit for purpose,” Hunt and colleagues wrote. “Care needs to be better tailored to meet the needs of individual #minority #ethnic #patients, and approaches to prevention should not treat #minority #ethnic #patients as homogenous groups.”
In a related editorial, Phoebe Barnett, of the research department of clinical, educational and health #psychology at the University College London, outlined a possible goal for #mentalhealthservices related to bias reduction.
“#Mentalhealthservices should work towards establishing a means of assessing the need for care that limits potentially implicit biases and ensures that adequate care is readily accessible and provided promptly and in the least restrictive means possible,” Barnett wrote.
Photo by Ketut Subiyanto on Pexels.com
https://standingabovethecrowd.com/?p=8528
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