by Sam Sherwood

Concern about a potential link between #cannabis use and increased #mentalhealthproblems and #suicidalideation has prompted a coroner to urge #parents and care givers to make themselves aware of the risks involved.

Increasing mental health problems and suicidal ideation have been linked to cannabis use, which has prompted a coroner to urge parents and caregivers to educate themselves on the risks.

Coroner warns of increased mental health problems and suicidal ideation after 14-year-old boy killed by cannabis.

Cannabis use and suicidal ideation have been directly linked in adolescent studies since 2014.

An 18-year-old who had used cannabis daily before the age of 17 was seven times more likely to commit suicide than a 17-year-old who had not used cannabis.

People who smoked cannabis weekly or more were four times more likely to attempt suicide. People who smoked cannabis monthly or more were over twice as likely to attempt suicide.

Studies such as these contribute vitally to suicide prevention, said Coroner Borrowdale.

Despite the fact that we do not know what the influence of the young boy's cannabis use may have been on his mental health or suicide, I am not ready to assume that it did not play a role in his tragic death.

As well, the coroner endorsed the Ministry of Health's advice to anyone who might be feeling suicidal:

The advice can be found below.

You can get help if you are struggling and contemplating harming yourself, or if you are concerned another individual in your family might be thinking the same way.

Here's information on how you can support someone who is considering harming themselves.

Whenever someone tells you they have attempted suicide, or if you are worried about their immediate safety, take it seriously. Thank them for sharing; invite them to keep talking. Ask questions without judging them.

Coroner Mary-Anne Borrowdale released her findings with the hope of encouraging carers of #teenagers who use #cannabis to make themselves aware of the risks and of ways to help reduce that use.

#James Donaldson notes:Welcome to the “next chapter” of my life… being a voice and an advocate for #mentalhealthawarenessandsuicideprevention, especially pertaining to our younger generation of students and student-athletes.Getting men to speak up and reach out for help and assistance is one of my passions. Us men need to not suffer in silence or drown our sorrows in alcohol, hang out at bars and strip joints, or get involved with drug use.Having gone through a recent bout of #depression and #suicidalthoughts myself, I realize now, that I can make a huge difference in the lives of so many by sharing my story, and by sharing various resources I come across as I work in this space.  #http://bit.ly/JamesMentalHealthArticleOrder your copy of James Donaldson's latest book,#CelebratingYourGiftofLife:From The Verge of Suicide to a Life of Purpose and Joy

www.celebratingyourgiftoflife.com
https://standingabovethecrowd.com/2023/01/jamesdonaldson-on-mentalhealth-teenagers-death-prompts-warning-from-coroner-about-cannabis-use-and-link-to-suicidal-feelings/