Rates of #depression, #suicide in people under 18 have increased over two decades

Jeff Zide, Staff Writer

MANISTEE — After two and a half years of a worldwide #pandemic, many #children and #teens are going back to #school for the first time. Even in non-#pandemic times, going back to #school could be an exciting and tumultuous time for #children and #teens.

The #pandemic has only accelerated a #mentalhealthcrisis among #youth that is decades in the making. The University of California, Davis on its health website, stated that "the rate of #suicide for those ages 10 to 24 increased nearly 60% between 2007 and 2018, according to the #CentersforDiseaseControlandPrevention. The #CDC reported that #suicide was the second leading cause of death among people ages 10-34 in 2018."

In addition, the Journal of the #AmericanMedicalAssociation in a research letter found that "Georgia, Indiana, New Jersey, Oklahoma and Virginia had an increase in absolute count of #adolescent #suicides during the #pandemic. These states, along with California, also had an increase in the proportion of overall suicides among #adolescents." The letter also stated that when the data was collected from 14 states that participated in the study, "the proportion of overall suicides among #adolescents increased during the #pandemic. No other #pandemic-period changes in adolescent outcomes were statistically significant."

One local #therapist in Manistee has also seen the effects of rising rates of #suicide and #mentalhealthissues among #teens, both pre-#pandemic and over the past two and half years of the #COVID-19 #pandemic. 

#James Donaldson notes:Welcome to the “next chapter” of my life… being a voice and an advocate for #mentalhealthawarenessandsuicideprevention, especially pertaining to our younger generation of students and student-athletes.Getting men to speak up and reach out for help and assistance is one of my passions. Us men need to not suffer in silence or drown our sorrows in alcohol, hang out at bars and strip joints, or get involved with drug use.Having gone through a recent bout of #depression and #suicidalthoughts myself, I realize now, that I can make a huge difference in the lives of so many by sharing my story, and by sharing various resources I come across as I work in this space.  #http://bit.ly/JamesMentalHealthArticleFind out more about the work I do on my 501c3 non-profit foundationwebsite www.yourgiftoflife.org Order your copy of James Donaldson's latest book,#CelebratingYourGiftofLife: From The Verge of Suicide to a Life of Purpose and Joy

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Megan McLearon, a licensed professional #counselor with Courage to Grow #Counseling, said she believes there are several reasons why #teens and some younger #children are reporting higher levels of #mentalhealthissues that extend beyond issues directly related to the #pandemic.  

McLearon counsels #teens ages 13 and up in Manistee and notes that changes with the speed of technology, the pace of life, #socialmedia and higher academic expectations for #teens have contributed to higher rates of #mentalillness and #suicide among them. 

"I think we're kind of wired in a way that we're not really prepared for the speed at which society moves at this point," McLearon said.

She noted that there is little escape from social pressures in the classroom and now with technology and #socialmedia, in particular, the same pressures happen online.

"And so it can be really overwhelming and #anxiety producing to not have a barrier. ... We're getting bombarded with information and data all the time — whether it's #socialmedia or just the kind of (the) fast pace of life," McLearon said.  

She said that the anonymity involved in #socialmedia allows for more anti-social #behavior that people could not get away with in face-to-face interactions. 

"And I think that (anonymity) sometimes lends itself to people being more hurtful with their interactions," Mclearon said.

She noted that the meanness that comes part and parcel with #socialmedia can have an adverse effect on the #mentalhealth of #teens.

"Negative comments that (people) would make can really disrupt how someone feels about themselves. I do believe also developmentally we're expecting a lot more academically. #Kids in #highschool are doing college work and getting the same social pressures."

McLearon has advice for #parents who are concerned that their #teen may be experiencing #mentalhealthissues and #suicidalideation.

"(#Parents should be) looking for some of the signs like more #isolation talk, like talking about #hopelessness or feeling like in pain or feeling like they're a burden," she said. 

McLearon said when #parents notice conversations happening around #suicide or they see a #child or a #teenager act out of character for themselves, it's important to ask questions.

"A lot of people fear if I bring up #suicide, like, 'have you ever thought about #suicide?' That's going to like plant the seed," she said. "And what the science says is that that actually opens the door to communication because the person realizes like, 'Oh, this is someone that's going to listen and care about what I have to say. And like, I don't have to hide it.'"

People who are feeling depressed or having feelings of helplessness can dial #988 for the #988SuicideandCrisisLifeline or call the Centra Wellness Network 24-hour crisis hotline at 877-398-2013.  
https://standingabovethecrowd.com/2023/07/jamesdonaldson-on-mentalhealth-the-kids-arent-alright-what-is-behind-an-epidemic-of-child-and-teen-suicide/