James Donaldson on Mental Health - Young Black men are dying by suicide at alarming rates

by Leigh Hataway

Parents can play a key role in helping their children cope with racial discrimination, the researchers said

New study suggests racism, childhood trauma may be to blame for suicidal thoughts

One in three rural Black men reported they experienced suicidal ideation or thoughts of death in the past two weeks, reports a new study from the University of Georgia. Childhood adversity and racism may hold much of the blame.

Suicide is the second leading cause of death for African Americans between the ages of 15 and 24, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Suicide is particularly prevalent among Black men, who die by suicide at a rate more than four times that of Black women.

It feels like nobody is talking about the problem. And it’s only getting worse.

Michael Curtis

“I think we often don’t look at where the disparities are and who the individuals most at risk are when we’re talking about suicide ideation,” said Michael Curtis, co-author of the study and a graduate of UGA’s Human Development and Family Science Department in the College of Family and Consumer Sciences. “We just know it’s bad, and particularly among young Black men.

“Historically, research has not invested a lot of time and effort in looking into what are the unique cultural contexts that make certain men more at risk for suicidal thoughts than other men.”

The study found that growing up in a low-resource environment and experiencing racial discrimination during young adulthood makes it difficult to engage in healthy, trusting relationships. Strong feelings of mistrust and caution toward social relationships can lead to feelings of isolation, which in turn can prompt thoughts of death and suicide.

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

www.celebratingyourgiftoflife.com

Link for 40 Habits Signup
bit.ly/40HabitsofMentalHealth

If you'd like to follow and receive my daily blog in to your inbox, just click on it with Follow It. Here's the link https://follow.it/james-donaldson-s-standing-above-the-crowd-s-blog-a-view-from-above-on-things-that-make-the-world-go-round?action=followPub

Childhood trauma, racism take heavy toll on young Black men’s mental health

The researchers followed more than 500 African American men from their late teens through early 20s in rural Georgia.

At three separate times over the course of several years, the men were asked to reflect on their childhood, including economic hardships and traumatic experiences.

Some of the questions included whether they experienced physical or emotional abuse, witnessed a relative being abused, felt loved and special, had enough to eat or had access to medical care when needed as a child.

We found when Black men were exposed to childhood adversity, they may develop an internal understanding of the world as somewhere they are devalued.” —Michael Curtis

Study participants were also asked about their feelings and beliefs about close relationships, such as trust in romantic partners, and concerns about being taken advantage of in relationships as well as how often in the past six months they had been treated unfairly because of their race.

Finally, the researchers asked the participants about depressive symptoms and how often they had thoughts about death or killing themselves in the past two weeks.

The researchers found that these childhood experiences with trauma, deprivation and racism took a heavy toll on study participants’ mental health as they entered adulthood.

“We found when Black men were exposed to childhood adversity, they may develop an internal understanding of the world as somewhere they are devalued, where they could not trust others, and they could not engage the community in a supportive way,” said Curtis, who practices as a licensed marriage and family therapist. “Engaging with social support is critical for young Black men who experience many challenges to success.” 

Young Black men experience higher rates of poverty than white peers

Young Black men in general, and those living in rural areas in particular, are disproportionately affected by childhood adversity. They’re more likely to come from economically distressed families, grow up in low resource neighborhoods and experience trauma in their communities than their white peers.

Previous research has shown that racial discrimination increases the risks for depression, anxiety and psychological distress among Black children, adolescents and adults.

Although childhood neglect and trauma played a role in predicting suicidal thoughts, the researchers found that racial discrimination independently predicted higher rates of suicidal thoughts.

Steve Kogan

That means even participants who reported positive childhood experiences but experienced racial discrimination in young adulthood had a more difficult time developing and maintaining healthy relationships. As a result of that lack of community, they were more likely to experience thoughts of suicide.

“The quality of our relationships is what sustains human beings,” said Steven Kogan, lead author of the study and a professor in UGA’s College of Family and Consumer Sciences. “For people who have suicidal thoughts, there’s this sense that no one knows me, nobody cares about me, there’s nobody there for me, I am alone.”

Healthy relationships can help prevent suicide, boost mental health

Those thoughts can set in quickly, and one of the biggest protective factors against suicide is healthy relationships, having someone to call when those feelings start to get overwhelming, the researchers said.

“You don’t wake up one day and say, ‘You know, it would be better if I was gone.’ There are multiple factors in childhood and one’s current context that inform suicidal thoughts. To address these men’s needs, we have to address how racism in childhood and adulthood erodes mental health and well-being.”

Parents can play a key role in helping their children cope with these struggles, the researchers said.

“More research is needed, but one finding is unequivocal: Loving yourself as a Black person is foundational,” Kogan said. “Teaching children and youth to be proud of being Black counters the potential for them to internalize negative messages about Blackness that pervade U.S. society.”

Published by Cultural Diversity and Ethnic Minority Psychology, the study was co-authored by Ava Reck, a doctoral candidate in UGA’s Human Development and Family Science program, and Assaf Oshri, an associate professor in the College of Family and Consumer Sciences.

https://standingabovethecrowd.com/james-donaldson-on-mental-health-young-black-men-are-dying-by-suicide-at-alarming-rates/

by Leigh Hataway

Parents can play a key role in helping their children cope with racial discrimination, the researchers said

New study suggests racism, childhood trauma may be to blame for suicidal thoughts

One in three rural Black men reported they experienced suicidal ideation or thoughts of death in the past two weeks, reports a new study from the University of Georgia. Childhood adversity and racism may hold much of the blame.

Suicide is the second leading cause of death for African Americans between the ages of 15 and 24, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Suicide is particularly prevalent among Black men, who die by suicide at a rate more than four times that of Black women.

It feels like nobody is talking about the problem. And it’s only getting worse.

Michael Curtis

“I think we often don’t look at where the disparities are and who the individuals most at risk are when we’re talking about suicide ideation,” said Michael Curtis, co-author of the study and a graduate of UGA’s Human Development and Family Science Department in the College of Family and Consumer Sciences. “We just know it’s bad, and particularly among young Black men.

“Historically, research has not invested a lot of time and effort in looking into what are the unique cultural contexts that make certain men more at risk for suicidal thoughts than other men.”

The study found that growing up in a low-resource environment and experiencing racial discrimination during young adulthood makes it difficult to engage in healthy, trusting relationships. Strong feelings of mistrust and caution toward social relationships can lead to feelings of isolation, which in turn can prompt thoughts of death and suicide.

#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

www.celebratingyourgiftoflife.com

Link for 40 Habits Signupbit.ly/40HabitsofMentalHealth

If you'd like to follow and receive my daily blog in to your inbox, just click on it with Follow It. Here's the link https://follow.it/james-donaldson-s-standing-above-the-crowd-s-blog-a-view-from-above-on-things-that-make-the-world-go-round?action=followPub

Childhood trauma, racism take heavy toll on young Black men’s mental health

The researchers followed more than 500 African American men from their late teens through early 20s in rural Georgia.

At three separate times over the course of several years, the men were asked to reflect on their childhood, including economic hardships and traumatic experiences.

Some of the questions included whether they experienced physical or emotional abuse, witnessed a relative being abused, felt loved and special, had enough to eat or had access to medical care when needed as a child.

We found when Black men were exposed to childhood adversity, they may develop an internal understanding of the world as somewhere they are devalued.” —Michael Curtis

Study participants were also asked about their feelings and beliefs about close relationships, such as trust in romantic partners, and concerns about being taken advantage of in relationships as well as how often in the past six months they had been treated unfairly because of their race.

Finally, the researchers asked the participants about depressive symptoms and how often they had thoughts about death or killing themselves in the past two weeks.

The researchers found that these childhood experiences with trauma, deprivation and racism took a heavy toll on study participants’ mental health as they entered adulthood.

“We found when Black men were exposed to childhood adversity, they may develop an internal understanding of the world as somewhere they are devalued, where they could not trust others, and they could not engage the community in a supportive way,” said Curtis, who practices as a licensed marriage and family therapist. “Engaging with social support is critical for young Black men who experience many challenges to success.” 

Young Black men experience higher rates of poverty than white peers

Young Black men in general, and those living in rural areas in particular, are disproportionately affected by childhood adversity. They’re more likely to come from economically distressed families, grow up in low resource neighborhoods and experience trauma in their communities than their white peers.

Previous research has shown that racial discrimination increases the risks for depression, anxiety and psychological distress among Black children, adolescents and adults.

Although childhood neglect and trauma played a role in predicting suicidal thoughts, the researchers found that racial discrimination independently predicted higher rates of suicidal thoughts.

Steve Kogan

That means even participants who reported positive childhood experiences but experienced racial discrimination in young adulthood had a more difficult time developing and maintaining healthy relationships. As a result of that lack of community, they were more likely to experience thoughts of suicide.

“The quality of our relationships is what sustains human beings,” said Steven Kogan, lead author of the study and a professor in UGA’s College of Family and Consumer Sciences. “For people who have suicidal thoughts, there’s this sense that no one knows me, nobody cares about me, there’s nobody there for me, I am alone.”

Healthy relationships can help prevent suicide, boost mental health

Those thoughts can set in quickly, and one of the biggest protective factors against suicide is healthy relationships, having someone to call when those feelings start to get overwhelming, the researchers said.

“You don’t wake up one day and say, ‘You know, it would be better if I was gone.’ There are multiple factors in childhood and one’s current context that inform suicidal thoughts. To address these men’s needs, we have to address how racism in childhood and adulthood erodes mental health and well-being.”

Parents can play a key role in helping their children cope with these struggles, the researchers said.

“More research is needed, but one finding is unequivocal: Loving yourself as a Black person is foundational,” Kogan said. “Teaching children and youth to be proud of being Black counters the potential for them to internalize negative messages about Blackness that pervade U.S. society.”

Published by Cultural Diversity and Ethnic Minority Psychology, the study was co-authored by Ava Reck, a doctoral candidate in UGA’s Human Development and Family Science program, and Assaf Oshri, an associate professor in the College of Family and Consumer Sciences.
https://standingabovethecrowd.com/?p=12429

Shariqua Ahmed, BBC News

PACPSL Mind is offering 100 fully-funded places on its Stop Suicide workshop

A mental health charity has been offering suicide prevention training to volunteers working with people experiencing relationship breakdown.

Relationship breakdown, divorce and separation are recognized as factors that can increase the risk of suicide, according to Cambridgeshire and Peterborough South Lincolnshire (CPSL) Mind.

The charity has offered 100 fully-funded places on its Stop Suicide workshop, throughout May and June.

Lily Anderson, from CPSL Mind, said the charity's campaign focused on an often complex life situation, which evidence suggested could increase the risk of suicide.

The Stop Suicide campaign aims to build awareness of how everyone can play a part in preventing suicide in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough.

The charity aims to engage with more than 50 local organizations including community groups and family court staff.

The three-hour workshop will equip participants with the skills they need to recognize suicide warning signs, ask directly about suicide and support individuals at risk. A one-hour suicide prevention talk will be also available.

#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

www.celebratingyourgiftoflife.com

Link for 40 Habits Signupbit.ly/40HabitsofMentalHealth

If you'd like to follow and receive my daily blog in to your inbox, just click on it with Follow It. Here's the link https://follow.it/james-donaldson-s-standing-above-the-crowd-s-blog-a-view-from-above-on-things-that-make-the-world-go-round?action=followPub

While suicidality is complex, research by Samaritans, a charity supporting isolated people, highlights the potential impact of individuals becoming disconnected from domestic relationships and social norms.

“Samaritans’ research highlights the importance of raising awareness of suicide warning signs among anyone who is supporting individuals who are facing a potential breakup, separation or divorce.

" for some, can result in the loss of support networks as well as changes in housing situations, personal finances and contact with children,” said Ms Anderson.

“Our aim with this campaign is to empower those who regularly work alongside people experiencing relationship breakdown, or at risk of doing so, to have open conversations about suicide if they are worried about someone – and know how to respond helpfully to a person at risk,” she added.

The free training is available, both face-to-face and online.

Photo by Helena Lopes on Pexels.com
https://standingabovethecrowd.com/james-donaldson-on-mental-health-relationship-breakdown-increases-risk-of-suicide/

James Donaldson on Mental Health - The Importance of Taking Care of Your Mental Health on Weekends

Weekends are often seen as a time for relaxation, fun, and rejuvenation. For many people, this means indulging in self-care activities, spending time with loved ones, or simply taking a break from the demands of work or school. However, what is often overlooked is the impact weekends can have on our mental health.

In today's fast-paced society, where we are constantly bombarded with responsibilities and pressures, weekends can serve as a crucial period to recharge and prioritize our mental well-being. Here are a few reasons why taking care of your mental health on weekends is so important:

1. Stress Relief: The accumulation of stress throughout the week can take a toll on our mental health. Taking time on the weekends to relieve stress through activities like exercise, meditation, or engaging in hobbies can significantly reduce feelings of anxiety and promote overall well-being.

2. Work-Life Balance: Many individuals struggle with achieving a healthy work-life balance, often leading to burnout. Weekends offer a chance to disconnect from work-related tasks and obligations, allowing for quality time with family, friends, or pursuing personal passions. This balance is essential in maintaining good mental health, as it helps us find fulfillment beyond our professional lives.

3. Reflection and Self-Reflection: Weekdays can be busy and chaotic, leaving little time for reflection or self-reflection. Weekends offer an opportunity to slow down, evaluate our goals, assess our emotional state, and make any necessary adjustments. Engaging in self-reflection helps us gain clarity and perspective, ultimately contributing to our mental well-being.

4. Social Connection: Human connection is vital for our mental health. Weekends provide an opportunity to foster and strengthen relationships with loved ones. Whether it's spending quality time with family or catching up with friends, socializing can boost our mood, reduce feelings of loneliness, and improve overall mental well-being.

5. Fulfilling Personal Needs: Neglecting our own needs and desires can have a negative impact on our mental health. Weekends give us the chance to engage in activities that bring us joy and fulfillment. It could be as simple as reading a book, going for a walk in nature, or trying out a new hobby. Prioritizing our personal needs on weekends helps us maintain a positive mindset and fosters self-compassion.

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

Link for 40 Habits Signup
bit.ly/40HabitsofMentalHealth

If you'd like to follow and receive my daily blog in to your inbox, just click on it with Follow It. Here's the link https://follow.it/james-donaldson-s-standing-above-the-crowd-s-blog-a-view-from-above-on-things-that-make-the-world-go-round?action=followPub

To make the most of weekends for your mental health, it's essential to set boundaries and create a routine that supports your well-being. Here are a few tips to get started:

- Disconnect from work-related emails or tasks during the weekend.
- Engage in activities that you genuinely enjoy and find relaxing.
- Prioritize sleep and establish a consistent sleep schedule.
- Spend quality time with loved ones and nurture meaningful relationships.
- Practice mindfulness or meditation to reduce stress and increase self-awareness.
- Set realistic expectations and avoid overcommitting yourself.

By consciously incorporating these practices into your weekends, you can significantly improve your mental health and overall quality of life.

https://standingabovethecrowd.com/james-donaldson-on-mental-health-the-importance-of-taking-care-of-your-mental-health-on-weekends/

Shariqua Ahmed, BBC News

PACPSL Mind is offering 100 fully-funded places on its Stop Suicide workshop

A mental health charity has been offering suicide prevention training to volunteers working with people experiencing relationship breakdown.

Relationship breakdown, divorce and separation are recognized as factors that can increase the risk of suicide, according to Cambridgeshire and Peterborough South Lincolnshire (CPSL) Mind.

The charity has offered 100 fully-funded places on its Stop Suicide workshop, throughout May and June.

Lily Anderson, from CPSL Mind, said the charity's campaign focused on an often complex life situation, which evidence suggested could increase the risk of suicide.

The Stop Suicide campaign aims to build awareness of how everyone can play a part in preventing suicide in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough.

The charity aims to engage with more than 50 local organizations including community groups and family court staff.

The three-hour workshop will equip participants with the skills they need to recognize suicide warning signs, ask directly about suicide and support individuals at risk. A one-hour suicide prevention talk will be also available.

#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

www.celebratingyourgiftoflife.com

Link for 40 Habits Signupbit.ly/40HabitsofMentalHealth

If you'd like to follow and receive my daily blog in to your inbox, just click on it with Follow It. Here's the link https://follow.it/james-donaldson-s-standing-above-the-crowd-s-blog-a-view-from-above-on-things-that-make-the-world-go-round?action=followPub

While suicidality is complex, research by Samaritans, a charity supporting isolated people, highlights the potential impact of individuals becoming disconnected from domestic relationships and social norms.

“Samaritans’ research highlights the importance of raising awareness of suicide warning signs among anyone who is supporting individuals who are facing a potential breakup, separation or divorce.

" for some, can result in the loss of support networks as well as changes in housing situations, personal finances and contact with children,” said Ms Anderson.

“Our aim with this campaign is to empower those who regularly work alongside people experiencing relationship breakdown, or at risk of doing so, to have open conversations about suicide if they are worried about someone – and know how to respond helpfully to a person at risk,” she added.

The free training is available, both face-to-face and online.

Photo by Helena Lopes on Pexels.com
https://standingabovethecrowd.com/?p=12423

By Joe Hathaway in Northeastern Oregon News Northeastern Oregon Top Stories

#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

www.celebratingyourgiftoflife.com

Link for 40 Habits Signupbit.ly/40HabitsofMentalHealth

If you'd like to follow and receive my daily blog in to your inbox, just click on it with Follow It. Here's the link https://follow.it/james-donaldson-s-standing-above-the-crowd-s-blog-a-view-from-above-on-things-that-make-the-world-go-round?action=followPub

NORTHEAST OREGON — “Welcome to ‘Your Life Matters,’  a special project from the Elkhorn Media Group where we embark on a journey of compassion, understanding, and hope. In this space we aim to shed light on a topic that often lingers in the shadows: suicide awareness. Here, we believe in the power of conversation to break down the stigma surrounding mental health and create a supportive community for those who need it most.

Each month, we’ll share personal stories of resilience, expert insights, and practical strategies to navigate the complexities of mental health. Our goal is to foster empathy, dispel myths, and provide a beacon of hope for those who may be struggling.

Joe Hathaway recently spoke with Haley Hueckman, A Prevention Supervisor from New Directions Northwest in Baker City about a specialized training called Question, Persuade and Refer – or QPR – which teaches three simple steps that anyone can learn that can help save a life from suicide.

YLM-MARCH-2024Download

If you want to learn more on QPR training, you can contact Haley at New Directions at (541) 523-7400. If you or someone you know is in crisis, New Directions has a 24-hotline to speak with someone at (541) 519-7126.

Join us next month for another conversation on suicide awareness and prevention, as we as a community tackle this tough, but extremely important topic together. 

Remember, your life matters, and so does the conversation surrounding it.
https://standingabovethecrowd.com/james-donaldson-on-mental-health-your-life-matters-a-look-at-suicide-prevention-awareness-and-mental-health-part-3/

James Donaldson on Mental Health - Your Life Matters: A Look at Suicide Prevention Awareness and Mental Health. Part 3

By Joe Hathaway in Northeastern Oregon News Northeastern Oregon Top Stories

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

www.celebratingyourgiftoflife.com

Link for 40 Habits Signup
bit.ly/40HabitsofMentalHealth

If you'd like to follow and receive my daily blog in to your inbox, just click on it with Follow It. Here's the link https://follow.it/james-donaldson-s-standing-above-the-crowd-s-blog-a-view-from-above-on-things-that-make-the-world-go-round?action=followPub

NORTHEAST OREGON — “Welcome to ‘Your Life Matters,’  a special project from the Elkhorn Media Group where we embark on a journey of compassion, understanding, and hope. In this space we aim to shed light on a topic that often lingers in the shadows: suicide awareness. Here, we believe in the power of conversation to break down the stigma surrounding mental health and create a supportive community for those who need it most.

Each month, we’ll share personal stories of resilience, expert insights, and practical strategies to navigate the complexities of mental health. Our goal is to foster empathy, dispel myths, and provide a beacon of hope for those who may be struggling.

Joe Hathaway recently spoke with Haley Hueckman, A Prevention Supervisor from New Directions Northwest in Baker City about a specialized training called Question, Persuade and Refer – or QPR – which teaches three simple steps that anyone can learn that can help save a life from suicide.

YLM-MARCH-2024Download

If you want to learn more on QPR training, you can contact Haley at New Directions at (541) 523-7400. If you or someone you know is in crisis, New Directions has a 24-hotline to speak with someone at (541) 519-7126.

Join us next month for another conversation on suicide awareness and prevention, as we as a community tackle this tough, but extremely important topic together. 

Remember, your life matters, and so does the conversation surrounding it.

https://standingabovethecrowd.com/james-donaldson-on-mental-health-your-life-matters-a-look-at-suicide-prevention-awareness-and-mental-health-part-3/

- Erica Pandey, author of Axios Finish Line

A shocking number of American kids are sad, suicidal and stuck on small screens sucking away their zest for life.

Why it matters: This is the indisputable and alarming trend among American children, based on the latest polling and deep research by an NYU professor in a book out next week.

The big picture: The pandemic is often cited as a driver of the teen mental health crisis, but it was brewing long before then. A growing body of research links the acceleration of the crisis to one of this century’s biggest events: the arrival of the smartphone.

- “Smartphones and social media fundamentally changed the way teens spend their time outside of school,” says Jean Twenge, a psychologist and author of the book “Generations.”

- “You take a generation of young people, they’re spending a lot more times in their rooms, alone, not sleeping, not hanging out with their friends in person. That’s a pretty bad formula for mental health.”

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

www.celebratingyourgiftoflife.com

Link for 40 Habits Signupbit.ly/40HabitsofMentalHealth

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By the numbers: While the teen mental health crisis was slowly developing in the early 2000s, it rapidly worsened in the mid-2010s — which was also when teens’ smartphone and social media usage spiked, Jonathan Haidt, the NYU professor, notes in his forthcoming book "The Anxious Generation."

- Rates of depression and anxiety among U.S. adolescents were "fairly stable in the 2000s" but "rose by more than 50% in many studies from 2010 to 2019," Haidt writes in The Atlantic.

- The suicide rate for kids between the ages of 10 and 14 tripled between 2007 and 2021, according to the CDC.

- The share of U.S. high school girls who seriously considered attempting suicide jumped from 19% in 2011 to 30% in 2021, per the CDC. The share of boys who considered suicide rose from 13% to 14%.

- Just 1 in 3 12-to 17-year-olds say things are going well for children and teens today, per a recent Common Sense Media survey.

Zoom in: In study after study, teens say social media is making them stressed and depressed, but the time they're spending online keeps rising.

- In the early 2000s, middle and high school kids saw friends in person about 3 times a week. Now, that's closer to 1.5, according to data from the University of Michigan's Monitoring the Future project.

- At the same time, screen time has skyrocketed. Teens spend an average of 4.8 hours on social media apps like TikTok, Instagram and Snapchat every day, according to Gallup. Among teen girls, that ticks up to 5.3 hours.

- Teenagers are inundated with notifications, with one study estimating they get 237 pings a day, Haidt notes.

What to watch: TikTok's fate in the U.S. is currently being debated in Congress. If the app disappears from phones — though that's unlikely to happen any time soon — that would force a massive shift in how American teens spend their time.

- “It’s of course possible that people will replace TikTok time with YouTube time or Instagram time,” says Twenge. “However, TikTok’s algorithm is particularly effective at getting you to spend more time on it.”
https://standingabovethecrowd.com/james-donaldson-on-mental-health-screens-are-poisoning-kids-minds/

Tips for staying in touch while letting kids separate in a healthy way

So, your once chatty teen has suddenly clammed up. No parent enjoys getting the silent treatment from their kid, especially when you feel like you’ve enjoyed a close relationship and nothing has changed on your end. The first thing to do is to take a breath and understand that pulling away from parents is not only normal but also a necessary developmental stage of adolescence. Navigating this transition toward independence is difficult and as much as kids hate to admit it (and probably won’t), children still need parents to stay connected and involved in their lives.

Teens need their own space but they also need their parents. In fact, most teens say they want to be closer to their parents but don’t know how to do that. So while your kid is doing the work of separating, you need to do the work of carefully bridging the gap. Start by meeting them where they are.

How silent is the silent treatment?

Whether or not you have cause for concern really depends on the extent to which your kid has stopped talking. Let’s look at three possible scenarios:

#1 You and your child used to be “besties.”

They told you everything and now, suddenly, they’ve shut you out and only share their private thoughts with friends.

In this case, you have very little to worry about. And painful as it may be, you have to try not to take your child’s choice personally. They’re doing what they’re supposed to be doing.

What to do:

- Don’t lecture your child or tell them how hurt you feel.

- Try to have positive interactions with them.

- Engage them in activities you’ve enjoyed doing together.

- Sit down to meals with them.

- Don’t pump them for information. Instead, open up and share something funny or interesting about your own life. If you open up, they’re more likely to do the same.

- Talk to them like an adult with respect and make it clear that you value their opinions and expect respect in return.

#2 Your once lovely and affectionate child now responds to you with one-word answers and annoyed eye rolling.

They spend as little time with you as possible and seem to reserve all their enthusiasm for their friends.

Though it may be maddening and you might be tempted to punish this kind of behavior, know that it still falls well within the range of normal teenage development. Focusing on peer relationships helps kids learn to be less dependent on parents—a necessary step to becoming happy, independent adults. That said, it’s still your job to insist on respect and to keep your child safe.

What to do:

- Set appropriate limits, but focus on strengthening your relationship, too. You’ll get no respect if your child doesn’t feel connected to you.

- Resist the urge to lecture. If you can do that, they won’t need to push you away in order to become themselves.

- Remember that teenagers can be emotional. Look for the distress under the disrespect, and remind them of who they really are. By saying something like, “I know you’re upset but aren’t normally unkind,” you can create the beginning of a conversation.

#3 Your child speaks to no one and spends all their time in their room with the door closed.

Your child has withdrawn from friends, lost interest in activities that once gave them pleasure, and has grown increasingly isolated.

This kind of behavior is cause for serious concern and falls outside the realm of the normal teenage development. You need to find out whether your child has undergone some kind of trauma (bullying, rape) or is abusing drugs or alcohol. This behavior could also indicate the beginning of a serious mental health issue such as depression, schizophrenia or bipolar disorder, all which become more common in the late teens and early 20s.

It’s dangerous if they’re pulling away from everyone they know. Retreating into an online world, for instance, isn’t an acceptable substitute for talking to people in real life. Internet relationships can become very intense very fast, and it’s hard to know if the people your child is friends with online are a good influence, or even who they say they are.

What to do:

- If your child seems hostile and angry, give them the chance to explain if you’ve done something wrong.

- Privacy only goes so far. No teenager’s room should be off-limits to a parent. You have the right to know what your child is doing in their room, especially if they are spending hours at a time alone there.

- Insist on more information. It’s not at all uncommon for teens to answer questions like “Where are you going?” by saying simply, “Out.” And “When will you be back?” with “Later.” Stand firm and tell them you need specifics.

- In cases where your kid refuses to communicate, it may be advisable to monitor their social media.

- Seek professional help from a qualified clinician. Begin by calling your child’s pediatrician and describing their behavior in detail.

#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

www.celebratingyourgiftoflife.com

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If you'd like to follow and receive my daily blog in to your inbox, just click on it with Follow It. Here's the link https://follow.it/james-donaldson-s-standing-above-the-crowd-s-blog-a-view-from-above-on-things-that-make-the-world-go-round?action=followPub

If you suspect your teen might be feeling suicidal

If you even suspect this might be the case, you need to address the issue immediately. But calmly. “It’s important that you talk about your concerns in a calm, non-accusatory manner,” says Nadine Kaslow, a psychologist and expert on suicide in young people. “Sometimes when parents are very worried, they end up saying, ‘Don’t think this way,’ or, ‘You shouldn’t feel that way,’ and they come across not as loving and caring, as intended, but as critical. Children respond negatively to that.”

Kaslow also recommends:

- Let your child know you love them over and over again when they’re having a hard time.

- Validate their feelings by saying things that show empathy such as: “It sounds like that was really difficult.” “I know how painful that can be.”

- Work with your child to get professional help and explain that seeking help isn’t a sign of weakness.

When it comes to the silent treatment, remember, it’s not about you. You have to pick your battles and give your kid room to grow. But you also have to put your child’s health and well being above all else, and that means staying connected even when they doesn’t make it easy.
https://standingabovethecrowd.com/james-donaldson-on-mental-health-help-my-teen-stopped-talking-to-me/

Beyond crisis intervention

Jennifer Gerlach LCSW

THE BASICS

- Suicide Risk Factors and Signs

- Find a therapist near me

KEY POINTS

- Fear of hospitalization often leads clients to conceal thoughts of suicide from mental health professionals.

- Therapists may fear making the 'wrong' choice in intervention with clients experiencing thoughts of suicide.

- By openly discussing and addressing fears, therapists and clients can collaborate toward safety.

"If I call that number you gave me, will they call the cops?"

With the rollout of 9-8-8, I, like most therapists, have been enthusiastic to give the number. Still, it has sparked several questions. I want clients to be comfortable using resources when needed, so I answer as best as I can. Yet, the fear is real. Discussing thoughts of suicide can ramp up anxieties on both the client's and clinician's sides. We clinicians worry about making the 'right' choice regarding appropriate intervention, the client's well-being, the possibility of missing something, and ultimately the risk of life. For individuals reaching out for help, fear tends to center more on coercion, such as police involvement, involuntary hospitalization, or even feeling more misunderstood at a critical moment.

Before I go on, the answer to the question, 'Will they call the cops?' is usually no. The goal of resources such as crisis intervention is to offer support without coercion unless it is necessary. Most calls to crisis lines do not result in police intervention.

Clinician Fears

I began my career in crisis intervention, meeting with individuals amid a mental health crisis, which often included thoughts of suicide. I learned about forms to measure suicide risk, risk factors, and protective factors as well as the importance of remaining human. It's amazing how something as deeply personal as crisis counseling can become mechanical if we are not careful to keep a person-centered focus.

In crisis intervention, the primary objectives are often the assessment of risk and the creation of a plan to minimize that risk. Meeting the person and their needs is also essential. While structured suicide risk assessment tools exist, there is no clear calculator for such. No form can tell the future. The experience of feeling both responsible and ultimately not having control of the outcome can be overwhelming.

Therapists often share fears related to client suicide. It is perhaps the greatest hazard of our work. We care about clients. Effective management of that anxiety is essential.

Still, some anxiety is unavoidable. Current figures of suicide are at an all-time high (Center for Disease Control, 2024) with each of those numbers representing a human life and loss for many who loved them.

Client Fears

On the other side, clients often carry their fears. In my experience, one of the top concerns has been going to the hospital. This has typically been from individuals who attempted suicide in the past or had psychiatric hospitalization for other reasons.

Meta-analysis has found that about one in five individuals who attempt suicide go on to make a second suicide attempt, and individuals with a history of suicide attempt are at some of the highest risks of dying by suicide (de la Torre-Luque et al., 2023). Historically, psychiatric hospitalization following medical stabilization has been standard practice following a suicide attempt or presentation to an emergency room with intentions of suicide. Yet many individuals report negative experiences regarding hospitalization.

A qualitative study of 11 women hospitalized due to thoughts of suicide found that many felt dehumanized during their stay (Hagen et al., 2020). Most locked wards are highly secure and individuals are stripped of the comforts of things like shoelaces, their usual shampoo, and even many clothing options, all in the name of safety. Other qualitative research found that many who received psychiatric hospitalization found it to be prison-like and isolating. This is especially concerning as feelings of hopelessness, powerlessness, and isolation are strong contributors to a suicidal mindset (Lindgren et al., 2019).

Restraint, seclusion, and sedation are common in inpatient units and can be frightening to witness, adding a threat component. Also, while group interventions may be offered in a hospital, robust individual therapy usually does not take place there. Groups in an inpatient environment are often facilitated by techs who have little in the way of formal therapy training. Sessions with a psychiatrist are typically short and pointed to stabilization over longer-term goals. Hospitalization is a safe place to bridge between a crisis and a more sustainable treatment plan, however the overall quality of therapeutic treatment within acute inpatient settings is often poor.

Ironically, death by suicide after release from an inpatient mental health unit is all too common and some have suggested that adverse experiences in inpatient settings may play a role here (Chung et al., 2016). To date, there is no publication to show that hospitalization reduces the risk of suicide. On the contrary, some have suggested the potential harm of psychiatric hospitalization, citing the marked increased risk of death by suicide after an inpatient stay and other negative outcomes (Ward-Ciesielski and Rizvi, 2021).

A study of 66 individuals who admitted to concealing thoughts of suicide from their therapists found that fear of involuntary hospitalization was by far the chief reason reported (Blanchard et al., 2020). The study found that many clients feared even mentioning the slightest thought that could result in hospitalization even when they did not feel at significant risk.

Fears of sharing these thoughts can leave individuals who are in a space of suicidal crisis feeling alone when they most need support.

Reality

The reality is that clinicians cannot help what they do not know. Clients must feel comfortable enough to share their thoughts of suicide when needed, and we must have effective ways to intervene. The truth is, we do.

Crisis intervention is not synonymous with hospitalization. At times, hospitalization may be necessary to rescue an individual at imminent risk, yet it exists on a long continuum of intervention options ranging from safety plans to the removal of lethal means to follow-up phone calls to staying with a friend to spending a few hours at a crisis intervention center. Effective suicide prevention measures are individualized.

Most individuals reaching out to a crisis intervention line do not find themselves faced with coercive measures. Rather, they are given a lifesaving opportunity to be joined by another person when they are in a state of need. Still, these fears remain.

#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

www.celebratingyourgiftoflife.com

Link for 40 Habits Signupbit.ly/40HabitsofMentalHealth

If you'd like to follow and receive my daily blog in to your inbox, just click on it with Follow It. Here's the link https://follow.it/james-donaldson-s-standing-above-the-crowd-s-blog-a-view-from-above-on-things-that-make-the-world-go-round?action=followPub

What We Know About What Prevents Suicide

Beyond our fears, suicide prevention initiatives have shown success.

Research shows that involvement in psychotherapy reduces the risk of suicide in individuals who have made a prior attempt (Sobanski et al., 2021). As long as immediate risk can be kept at bay, psychotherapy can focus on addressing the problems underlying an individual's thoughts of suicide, augmenting a sense of hope, rallying their support system, and ultimately moving toward what the individual deems a life worth living. For many, thoughts of suicide develop over a long course of time, so active monitoring of these thoughts met with appropriate ongoing support is often necessary.

In addition, especially for younger individuals, sudden changes in circumstances (such as a breakup or a failing grade) can lead to a rapid change in mental state. These individuals may benefit from psychotherapies that offer 24-hour skills coaching calls with a therapist between sessions as is offered in many Dialectical Behavior Therapy programs.

Follow-up after a mental health crisis has also been shown to be effective, as well as the creation of a specific safety plan (Nuij et al., 2021). It's important to note here that this is different from a 'no-harm contract.' Historically no-harm contracts were a method of suicide risk prevention that involved a person signing a paper that they would not hurt themselves. In contrast, a safety plan involves a discussion of what an individual needs to survive the crisis and is not meant to be coercive or liability-focused. It's a plan of how to work toward a person's safety and well-being between contacts with mental health professionals and what to do if a person does not feel they can stay safe.

Effective suicide prevention initiatives must also look beyond the individual to the community. While interventions for suicidal thoughts often focus on the treatment of conditions like depression, social factors also contribute to thoughts of suicide. According to the interpersonal theory of suicide, a sense of not belonging coupled with a sense of being a burden can trigger thoughts of suicide. Depression can strengthen this, yet thoughts of suicide often have social as well as psychological sources (Van Orden et al., 2010).

With the strong link between suicide and isolation (Motillon-Toudic et al., 2022), there is also a place for community intervention outside the formal mental health system. Resourcing someone's family and building a stronger sense of belonging are often key to resolving suicidal crises. A systemic review of 185 clinical trials found that social support interventions are often an effective suicide prevention strategy (Hou et al., 2022).

We Have to Talk About It

Suicide prevention is not only something for mental health providers to target but also something we must tackle together as a community. In our communities, we need to talk openly about loneliness, hopelessness, and the reality of suicide. We can encourage and guide each other to support.

On the clinical front, along with other measures, open conversations about suicide prevention need to take place about fear on both the clinician and client sides. Fear limits our effectiveness in a way that can be dangerous in these scenarios. Clients who have had negative experiences in the past when they have revealed thoughts of suicide might especially need support.

As well, consultation groups and supervision can assist clinicians in navigating these difficult terrains. Collaboratively, we can move toward more effective efforts to reduce suicide built on compassion and hope rather than fear.

If you or someone you love is contemplating suicide, seek help immediately. For help 24/7 dial 988 for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, or reach out to the Crisis Text Line by texting TALK to 741741. To find a therapist near you, visit the Psychology Today Therapy Directory.
https://standingabovethecrowd.com/james-donaldson-on-mental-health-what-we-dont-talk-about-when-it-comes-to-suicide-prevention/

Healthy Child and Adolescent Growth

https://youtu.be/MxiI_GRvDZQ

#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

www.celebratingyourgiftoflife.com

Link for 40 Habits Signupbit.ly/40HabitsofMentalHealth

If you'd like to follow and receive my daily blog in to your inbox, just click on it with Follow It. Here's the link https://follow.it/james-donaldson-s-standing-above-the-crowd-s-blog-a-view-from-above-on-things-that-make-the-world-go-round?action=followPub
https://standingabovethecrowd.com/james-donaldson-on-mental-health-how-do-i-help-my-child-build-healthy-self-esteem/

James Donaldson on Mental Health - Formerly incarcerated at higher risk of suicide — even years after prison release, study finds

by Rachel Crumpler

In working with this population, Funderburg said she repeatedly sees how a person’s criminal conviction history — or as she says, the “scarlet F of felon” — affects job prospects, housing options, relationships and more.

“The barriers that people face and the biases that people are so anchored to in our society are certainly conditions ripe for someone to not only consider but attempt extreme measures of dealing with that, including suicide,” Funderburg said.

While Funderburg said she has not worked with a formerly incarcerated person who has died by suicide, she said she has witnessed many people face repeated challenges that can be emotionally distressing and hard to overcome. 

At some point, formerly incarcerated people hope to reach a place of stability with their needs met, Funderburg said. But when that day takes longer than anticipated — or never comes — she said she could see how someone could get to a place where they just don’t want to do it anymore.

“When you think about three years out, how many job applications have been rejected? Funderburg said. “How many times have you not been able to get the services that you need around medical care management or other things? How many family relationships have not been restored? What is your economic situation?”

During the reentry process, failures are magnified, Scott said. They can certainly lead to frustration, depression and even suicide.

For example, Scott described a low he faced when his dad took him to the DMV after his release to get a driver’s license. Since it was the height of the COVID pandemic, the DMV wasn’t offering road tests and he was told he would have to get a learner’s permit. Scott said that felt like a huge blow to regaining his autonomy. He didn’t know how he would be able to rebuild his life or get a job.

“I kind of dwelt in that co-space of anger and depression for a while. Everybody goes through that sometimes on a much more extreme level than I did,” he recalled. “It made me mad enough that it compelled me to action and so I wrote a letter to the head of the DMV, to the head of the Department of Transportation and then also to Governor Cooper and said just like, ‘How do you expect me to rebuild my life? You talk about second chances.’”

About a week later, Scott said he heard back from a DMV official and got a driver’s license. Overcoming that obstacle was euphoric, Scott said. But not all obstacles go away like this, he added.

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

www.celebratingyourgiftoflife.com

Link for 40 Habits Signup
bit.ly/40HabitsofMentalHealth

If you'd like to follow and receive my daily blog in to your inbox, just click on it with Follow It. Here's the link https://follow.it/james-donaldson-s-standing-above-the-crowd-s-blog-a-view-from-above-on-things-that-make-the-world-go-round?action=followPub

Need to increase support

Fitch said she hopes the study’s findings can be used to direct more targeted suicide prevention efforts, particularly toward vulnerable segments of this population. Given the long-term sustained risk of suicide years after release, Fitch emphasized that post-release suicide prevention efforts must go beyond prisons and community supervision.

“I think that’s a tempting place to say, ‘Oh, we can deliver suicide prevention services while they’re still being supervised by the criminal legal system.’ But I think it’s apparent due to the fact that suicide risk is sustained for such a long period of time that we have to think about more higher level structural issues and address the root causes of why formerly incarcerated people are so disadvantaged in society.”

Fitch said next steps to address systemic issues include housing, education and employment support, improved access to health care through Medicaid expansion and post-release enrollment programs, along with preventing a return to incarceration. 

Funderburg agrees that it will take changes in society to create an environment that allows formerly incarcerated people to move forward in their lives, and she’s encouraged to see increased momentum around reentry support. Gov. Roy Cooper issued a January executive order initiating a whole-of-government approach to improving reentry support. 

“We live in a society where the general consensus and the bias around a person with a criminal background is that you’re othered,” Funderburg said. “You’re over there. Go figure it out. 

“I think it only contributes to options that a person might explore that sort of bends in some cases toward ending it all.”

Photo by RDNE Stock project on Pexels.com
https://standingabovethecrowd.com/james-donaldson-on-mental-health-formerly-incarcerated-at-higher-risk-of-suicide-even-years-after-prison-release-study-finds/

James Donaldson on Mental Health - How do I help my child build healthy self-esteem?

Healthy Child and Adolescent Growth

https://youtu.be/MxiI_GRvDZQ

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

www.celebratingyourgiftoflife.com

Link for 40 Habits Signup
bit.ly/40HabitsofMentalHealth

If you'd like to follow and receive my daily blog in to your inbox, just click on it with Follow It. Here's the link https://follow.it/james-donaldson-s-standing-above-the-crowd-s-blog-a-view-from-above-on-things-that-make-the-world-go-round?action=followPub

https://standingabovethecrowd.com/james-donaldson-on-mental-health-how-do-i-help-my-child-build-healthy-self-esteem/

Lola Kazel, Junior Social Works Major

According to NBC News, “more than 50,000 Americans died by suicide in 2023, more than any year on record.” That is a death approximately every 10 minutes. I know firsthand what suicide looks like; it is not glamorous, or poetic. It’s just sad. If we had better screening tools in place, maybe some of them could have been saved.

I am a big proponent of mental health screenings. The Surgeon General calls mental health “the defining health crisis of our time.” Mental illness does not discriminate. Suicide doesn’t discern between race, income, profession, or age. Every demographic group is vulnerable. Here’s some shocking numbers: 12.3 million adults thought about suicide, 3.5 million adults made a plan, and 1.7 million adults attempted suicide. In 2021, suicide was the second-leading cause of death for people ages 10-14 and 20-34.

Most people who commit suicide have seen a doctor shortly before they died. “In February 2016, the Joint Commission…. issued a Sentinel Event Alert recommending that all medical patients in all medical settings…be screened for suicide risk”. Yet, this still is not happening. We have to reach more of these people. We need to start asking the tough questions. The Ask Suicide-Screening Questions (ASQ) tool is a brief screen of 4 questions for use among both youth and adults. “Using an evidence-based clinical pathway can guide the process of identifying patients at risk and managing those who screen positive.” Anybody who screens positive should then be given the Brief Suicide Safety Assessment (BSSA) by a qualified clinician to see if a more thorough mental health assessment is necessary. For information on how to prevent suicide visit the National Alliance on Mental Illness. For information or to get the ASQ toolkit (which is specific to the setting where it is being used) visit the ASQ website.

References

Cedars-Sinai (2023, September 28). World Suicide Prevention Day 2023. World Suicide Prevention Day 2023. https://www.cedars-sinai.org/newsroom/world-suicide-prevention-day-2023/#:~:text=ratesincreasedbynearly40

Center for Disease Control. (2023, May 9). Disparities in Suicide | CDC. Www.cdc.gov. https://www.cdc.gov/suicide/facts/disparities-in-suicide.html#:~:text=OlderAdults&text=Menaged75andolder

NAMI California. (n.d.). What You Can Do to Prevent Suicide: Warning Signs, Risk Factors, Support in a Crisis. NAMI California. https://namica.org/what-you-can-do-to-prevent-suicide-warning-signs-risk-factors-support-in-a-crisis/

Welker, K. (2023, December 23). More than 50,000 Americans died by suicide in 2023 — more than any year on record. NBC News. https://www.nbcnews.com/meet-the-press/video/more-than-50-000-americans-died-by-suicide-in-2023-more-than-any-year-on-record-201161285832

#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

www.celebratingyourgiftoflife.com

Link for 40 Habits Signupbit.ly/40HabitsofMentalHealth

If you'd like to follow and receive my daily blog in to your inbox, just click on it with Follow It. Here's the link https://follow.it/james-donaldson-s-standing-above-the-crowd-s-blog-a-view-from-above-on-things-that-make-the-world-go-round?action=followPub
https://standingabovethecrowd.com/james-donaldson-on-mental-health-mental-health-the-health-crisis-of-our-time/

Powerful emotions plus social media make teen breakups messier than ever

Writer: Karen Cicero

Clinical Expert: Dave Anderson, PhD

What You'll Learn

- How can caregivers support teens going through a breakup?

- How does social media complicate teen breakups?

- What does support look like in different phases of a breakup?

- Quick Read

- Full Article

- How to handle the first few days

- How to Handle the Next Phase

Going through a breakup is tough, especially for teenagers in today’s digital age.

Teen couples are often in constant contact through texts and video calls. When a relationship ends, there’s not just the loss of the person but also a gap in their daily routine. And social media makes it public. Breakup news can spread quickly online. When friends start texting after seeing breakup posts, it leaves little time for teens to process. Teens also tend to experience emotions more intensely than adults — both highs and lows — adding an extra challenge.

In the first few days after a breakup, parents and caregivers should offer their teen support without pressing them for details. Let them know you’re there to talk or to simply be with them. And encourage them to spend time with friends.

Take care to keep any opinions about your teen’s ex to yourself, but also gently discourage them from trying to be friends with their ex right away. And if your teen seeing a therapist, let them know about the breakup so your teen has another trusted adult to turn to.

After the first few days, you might encourage them to reflect. Discuss what’s helped and what hasn’t in coping with the breakup. Keep them busy with activities and watch out for signs of overanalyzing. If they’re constantly discussing the breakup with friends, offer distractions and enforce screen-time limits. If your teen’s distress continues for more than two weeks or their behavior starts to concern you, consider consulting a mental health professional.

Embrace the silver lining. Remind them that managing emotional distress is a valuable life skill that will help them empathize with and support friends going through breakups in the future.

#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

www.celebratingyourgiftoflife.com

Link for 40 Habits Signupbit.ly/40HabitsofMentalHealth

If you'd like to follow and receive my daily blog in to your inbox, just click on it with Follow It. Here's the link https://follow.it/james-donaldson-s-standing-above-the-crowd-s-blog-a-view-from-above-on-things-that-make-the-world-go-round?action=followPub

You probably remember all too well the heartache of a teen breakup — especially a person you dated for a while and maybe even thought was going to be “the one.” But when your own teen is going through a similar experience, it doesn’t mean words of wisdom automatically come to you. “It was rough for a couple of weeks,” one friend, whose daughter ‘s boyfriend broke up with her by text, told me. “While I could relate to how she felt losing someone who was important to her, I never had to do it under social media scrutiny.”

For sure, the digital age makes teen breakups more traumatic and dramatic. “Teen couples are often in touch with one another all day through text and Facetime,” says Lisa Damour, PhD, author of The Emotional Lives of Teenagers. “Some even do homework with Facetime open. The teens in my care who have romantic relationships are much more in contact with their partners than I am with my spouse. So, when those relationships go away, there’s the pain of the loss and there’s also an enormous hole left in that young person’s day.”

With social media, news of the breakup also travels fast in friend circles. “My son’s friends were texting him less than an hour after his girlfriend broke up with him because she posted about it on Snapchat!” said another mom friend. “He didn’t even have time to process it before his texts started blowing up.”

Social media pressure, more free time, and the fact that teens feel everything more deeply — highs and lows — conspire to make a breakup the not-so-perfect storm. “The emotional intensity during adolescence is higher than other stages of life,” notes Dave Anderson, PhD, senior clinical psychologist at the Child Mind Institute.

 “We can’t prevent emotional distress in our kids, nor can we make it go away as quickly as we want to, but there are some things we can absolutely do and say to help,” says Dr. Damour.

How to handle the first few days

Shock, sadness, anger — your teen is feeling all kinds of intense emotions in the early days of a breakup. Even if they initiated the split or it was a mutual decision, they may still be having a tough time. “As parents we can fall into the trap of trying to help put it in perspective and rush in with stories about our own breakups,” says Dr. Anderson. “But that’s an instinct that we should try to quiet at least for a little while.”

Lead with empathy. Try to resist asking your teen for more details than they want to share, says Dr. Anderson. Instead, give them options, saying something like, “I know this must be incredibly hard for you. If you want to talk about it, great. If you just want someone to be around you when you’re doing your homework or watching TV, I’m also here.” If your teen responds that “I’m fine” but you can clearly see that they’re not, give it a day and follow up with, “Honey, I want you to know, I’m worried about you, and I want you to know that I’m here for support.”

Welcome their friends. Encourage your teen to invite a couple of pals over for a movie night and supply the ice cream. In fact, their friends might have already suggested it. “I’m moved by how naturally and creatively friends help one another,” says Dr. Damour. “The support of friends (and the comfort of ice cream) is more than just a happy distraction. It helps your teen realize that people still want to hang out with them.”

Keep your opinion about the ex to yourself. Perhaps you never thought they were right for each other and are happy that the relationship ended. Or you may have considered the ex a “bonus kid” and will miss having them around. Either way, this isn’t the time to share your feelings with your teen. You can vent to a partner, friend, or therapist.

But speak up about the friend zone. If your teen tells you that they’re going to try to be friends with their ex, gently discourage it at least in the short term. “It’s very hard to go straight from romance to friendship,” says Dr. Damour. “There are still a lot of tender feelings and it’s easy to get hurt.” Instead, she suggests saying something like, “You may be friends down the line, but it’s hard to move such intense feelings right into the friendship.”

Alert their therapist. If your teen is already being treated for depression, anxiety, or another mental health challenge, fill in their therapist so they have another trusted adult to talk to about what happened and help them get over the hump.

How to Handle the Next Phase

After a few days in a funk, it’s time to ease back into routines. Here’s how to help your teen get in the swing of things again:

Tell them they’re not alone. Teen still hunkered down in their room with the door closed? Empathize with what they’ve been through — but also help them look to the future. Dr. Anderson suggests starting out with, “I’m really sorry to watch what you’re going through. I’ve been through it, everybody I know has been through it, and you’re not alone in this.” At this point, you might want to share a breakup story from when you were their age. Then work how to move forward into the conversation. You might say, “I’m not asking for you to be better or recovered or over this person. But there’s a balance between feeling your feelings and getting back to your routines, which will help you feel better.”

Help them reflect. Chances are, some things have made your teen feel better over the last few days and some have made them feel worse, says Dr. Damour. Guide your teen to tease out what’s helped and what hasn’t — and to be totally honest with themselves. “Lots of teens will say, ‘It’s good for me to still be following my ex on social media because it helps me feel still connected,’” says Dr. Anderson. Ask your teen “How does it help?” if they see their ex out having fun with friends. If they’re not willing to sever social media ties entirely, suggest that they temporarily mute them, so their ex’s posts don’t pop up in their feed. On the flip side, urge them to lean more into strategies that have been helpful, whether it’s cuddling with the dog, baking, watching beloved reruns, or going for a run.

Keep them busy. While routines are important, distractions are valuable too. Offer to take them somewhere fun. Opt for hands-on places (like an escape room, bowling, or pottery class) rather than passive options where it’s easy to zone out. Of course, avoid places that may remind your teen of their ex.

Watch for overanalyzing. Sure, it’s a good sign overall if your teen talks about the breakup with their besties. But hashing it out with various friend groups over and over again for days may make things worse. If you notice that happening, it’s even more important to provide one of the distractions above. You can also enforce your regular screen-time rules.

Seek professional support. It’s normal and even healthy to be upset by a breakup. But there are a few red flags that parents should keep in mind. “If your teen is being terrible to themselves and others after a few days, they may need professional support to develop coping mechanisms,” says Dr. Damour. Dr. Anderson adds that it takes most teens about two weeks to start feeling the breakup less acutely and be on their way to returning to normal. If you don’t see signs of that, set up an appointment with a mental health professional. Breakups can be a trigger for a teen’s depressive episode.

Embrace the silver lining. Although it’s difficult to watch your teen be so upset and not be able to “fix” it, “keep in mind that for teens, there’s tremendous value in well-handled psychological distress,” says Dr. Damour. “It shows them that they have the ability to handle painful emotions and find a way through.” She adds that the experience will also foster empathy: “When one of their dear friends gets their heart broken, someone who has been there will be able to offer far better support than a teen who hasn’t walked in those shoes.”
https://standingabovethecrowd.com/james-donaldson-on-mental-health-how-to-help-your-teen-through-a-breakup/

James Donaldson on Mental Health - Mental health ‘the health crisis of our time’

Lola Kazel, Junior Social Works Major

According to NBC News, “more than 50,000 Americans died by suicide in 2023, more than any year on record.” That is a death approximately every 10 minutes. I know firsthand what suicide looks like; it is not glamorous, or poetic. It’s just sad. If we had better screening tools in place, maybe some of them could have been saved.

I am a big proponent of mental health screenings. The Surgeon General calls mental health “the defining health crisis of our time.” Mental illness does not discriminate. Suicide doesn’t discern between race, income, profession, or age. Every demographic group is vulnerable. Here’s some shocking numbers: 12.3 million adults thought about suicide, 3.5 million adults made a plan, and 1.7 million adults attempted suicide. In 2021, suicide was the second-leading cause of death for people ages 10-14 and 20-34.

Most people who commit suicide have seen a doctor shortly before they died. “In February 2016, the Joint Commission…. issued a Sentinel Event Alert recommending that all medical patients in all medical settings…be screened for suicide risk”. Yet, this still is not happening. We have to reach more of these people. We need to start asking the tough questions. The Ask Suicide-Screening Questions (ASQ) tool is a brief screen of 4 questions for use among both youth and adults. “Using an evidence-based clinical pathway can guide the process of identifying patients at risk and managing those who screen positive.” Anybody who screens positive should then be given the Brief Suicide Safety Assessment (BSSA) by a qualified clinician to see if a more thorough mental health assessment is necessary. For information on how to prevent suicide visit the National Alliance on Mental Illness. For information or to get the ASQ toolkit (which is specific to the setting where it is being used) visit the ASQ website.

References

Cedars-Sinai (2023, September 28). World Suicide Prevention Day 2023. World Suicide Prevention Day 2023. https://www.cedars-sinai.org/newsroom/world-suicide-prevention-day-2023/#:~:text=ratesincreasedbynearly40

Center for Disease Control. (2023, May 9). Disparities in Suicide | CDC. Www.cdc.gov. https://www.cdc.gov/suicide/facts/disparities-in-suicide.html#:~:text=OlderAdults&text=Menaged75andolder

NAMI California. (n.d.). What You Can Do to Prevent Suicide: Warning Signs, Risk Factors, Support in a Crisis. NAMI California. https://namica.org/what-you-can-do-to-prevent-suicide-warning-signs-risk-factors-support-in-a-crisis/

Welker, K. (2023, December 23). More than 50,000 Americans died by suicide in 2023 — more than any year on record. NBC News. https://www.nbcnews.com/meet-the-press/video/more-than-50-000-americans-died-by-suicide-in-2023-more-than-any-year-on-record-201161285832

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

www.celebratingyourgiftoflife.com

Link for 40 Habits Signup
bit.ly/40HabitsofMentalHealth

If you'd like to follow and receive my daily blog in to your inbox, just click on it with Follow It. Here's the link https://follow.it/james-donaldson-s-standing-above-the-crowd-s-blog-a-view-from-above-on-things-that-make-the-world-go-round?action=followPub

https://standingabovethecrowd.com/james-donaldson-on-mental-health-mental-health-the-health-crisis-of-our-time/