This resource library consists of articles concerning young people and good mental health. Some of the topics cover general issues that can affect the mental health of a young person and others specifically deal with issues surrounding youth suicide. Since 90% of suicides and suicide attempts are directly related to a mental health issue that has been undiagnosed, untreated or under-treated, it is important to address any mental health issue that can negatively impact a young person.
This page was designed to pull resources on a variety of subjects for your benefit. Professional help should always be sought whenever there is a possibility of suicidal ideation. Never try to solve this type of problem without obtaining professional help. The organization that provides the information contained within the links are listed next to the article title.
This page includes links to other sites on the internet which are owned and operated by third parties (“External Sites”). By using this page, you acknowledge that The Jason Foundation is not responsible for the availability of, or the content located on or through, any External Site. You should contact the site administrator or Webmaster for those External Sites if you have any concerns regarding such links or the content located on such External Sites. The information or opinions expressed on these External Sites do not necessarily reflect those of The Jason Foundation. If at any time the terms and conditions of this Agreement are no longer acceptable to you, you should immediately cease all use of the website.
New articles and videos will be added periodically to keep you informed on some of the most timely issues facing our youth today.
Suicide
The following links contain information about suicide. Facts, statistics, and general information are covered on the pages below. For more information regarding youth suicide, please see the corresponding pages on The Jason Foundation website. Links are also included with information about suicide in student-athletes.
| Suicide risk is real for student-athletes | NCAA |
| Suicide in National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Athletes | National Center for Biotechnology Information |
| College Athletes Are Only Starting to Get Access to the Mental Health Care They Need | The Ringer |
| How Common are Suicides in College Athletes? | Dr. David Geier |
| How college athletes are fighting the stigma of mental illness | USA Today |
| Suicidal Tendencies | NCAA |
| 2015 Youth Risk Behavioral Survey | Centers for Disease Control and Prevention |
| Protective Factors | Centers for Disease Control and Prevention |
| Preventing Suicide: A Technical Package of Policy, Programs, and Practices | Centers for Disease Control and Prevention |
| About Teen Suicide (For Parents) | Nemours Foundation |
| Teen suicide | familydoctor.org editorial staff |
| Suicide | Teen Mental Health |
| Suicide among youth | Centers for Disease Control and Prevention |
| The Relationship Between Bullying and Suicide | Centers for Disease Control and Prevention |
| Guide for Suicide Prevention | Rutgers University |
Mental Health Issues
It has been estimated that 90% of the people who attempt suicide have an underlying mental health issue. Depression is one of the leading causes of suicide attempts in our nation. The links below will give you information regarding a plethora of mental health issues and how some of them relate to children or adolescents. The articles listed below were written by Federal and private institutions. Additional links are listed in regards to mental health issues specific to student-athletes.
Injuries and Mental Health
Injuries and concussions as a result of physical activity can also affect mental health well-being. The following links will provide information on how different types of injuries can effect a young person.
Substance Abuse
Alcohol and drug use, which clouds judgment, lowers inhibitions, and worsens depression, are associated with 50-67% of suicides. Substance abuse can be a stressor on a young person which can contribute to a youth’s anxiety and unhappiness. This may increase the likelihood of a suicide attempt. Student-athletes are not immune to the effects of alcohol or drug abuse. Some athletes will even resort to drugs to gain an edge over competition.
Sport Psychology/Psychiatry
The world of sport psychology/psychiatry is a relatively new field that can have a lasting impact on your team and student-athletes. The links listed below detail these schools of thought and how they relate to your everyday sport teams.
| The Psychiatrist Perspective | NCAA |
| Why are Psychological Skills Important for Athletes? | Athletics Training |
| Sports Psychology & Performance Enhancement | Top End Sports |
| Importance of sports psychology in physical education and sports | International Journal of Yoga, Physiotherapy, and Physical Education |
| International Society for Sports Psychiatry | International Society for Sports Psychiatry |
| Sport psychiatry twenty-four years later | Taylor & Francis Group |
| Mental Wellness in Youth Sports Program | International Society for Sports Psychiatry |
Effect of Team Identity
The effects of belonging to a team can strengthen the support system around a young person. Alternatively, the loss of this perceived identity can have a major, negative impact on a person. The following links will examine this relationship and the importance of promoting a health environment in a team atmosphere.
Relationships
The relationships a young person has with their peers, parents, and coaches are vitally important to their mental well-being. Having a strong support structure can deter suicide attempts in youth. Healthy relationships, engagement, and connectedness are discuss in the articles that follow.
| Practical Ways to Promote Your Athletic Program | National Federation of State High School Associations |
| The Coach Athlete Relationship is a Performance Factor | Athlete Assessments |
| Applying Humanistic Learning Theory: The “Art” of Coaching | Theory into Practice |
| Parent/Coach Communication Guide | Richardson Independent School District |
| 6 Tips for Coaches when Communicating with Athlete’s Parents | Ohio University |
| The coach-athlete partnership | The British Psychological Society |
| 5 important Things in a Good Coach to Athlete Relationship | Swim Swam |
| Role of the coach in the coach-athlete relationship | The Lancet |
| School Connectedness | Centers for Disease Control and Prevention |
After an Attempt
The following links contain information regarding what a person can or should do after a suicide attempt. There are many actions and words that can be detrimental to a person who has recently attempted suicide. It is important to be supportive of someone who has attempted suicide. Certain people close the person who attempted may be in need of support, as well.
| After an Attempt | US Department of Health & Human Services |
| Supporting Someone After a Suicide Attempt | Suicide Line |
| What Not to Say After An Attempt | LDSLiving |
| Providing Support After a Suicide Attempt | Beyond Blue |
Grief and Loss
It is normal for suicide survivors to experience grief and loss after the death of a loved one. There are many forms of grief and people cope differently. The links below provide information for a myriad of people who may be affected by suicide loss.