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.

Article Name
Source
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
The Relationship Between Bullying and Suicide Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

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.

Article Name
Source
Depression and Anxiets Prevalence in Student-Athletes NCAA
When College Athletes Face Depression The Atlantic
College Athletes Are Only Starting to Get Access to the Mental Health Care They Need Psychology Today
How Common are Suicides in College Athletes? Dr. David Geier
The Prevalence of Mental Health in Student-Athletes Athlete Network
Mental health in the student athlete BelievePerform
Addressing Mental-health Issues in Student-Athletes National Federation of State High School Associations
Depression and Associated Negative Stressors: The Collegiate Athlete vs. Non-Athlete Tabitha A. Maurer & Dr. Joni L. Cramer Roh
Taking notice of the hidden injury ESPN
It’s Time To Break The Stigma Of Mental Health In Student Athletes Thought Catalog
Mental Health Disorders Office of Adolescent Health
Positive Mental Health: Resilience Office of Adolescent Health
Adolescent Mental Health Facts : By State Office of Adolescent Health
Adolescence National Institute of Mental Health
Teen Depression Facts Medicinenet.com
What is Teen Depression? Medicinenet.com
Teen Depression Symptoms and Signs Medicinenet.com
Warnins Signs for Teen Depression Medicinenet.com
Teen Depression Complication, Prognosis and Prevention Medicinenet.com
Depression Teen Mental Health
Recognizing Teen Depression American Psychiatric Association
Mental Health Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Child and Adolescent Mental Health National Institute of Mental Health
Mental Health and Teens: Watch for Danger Signs  American Academy of Pediatrics
Anxiety and Depression Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Coping with Traumatic Events National Institute of Mental Health
Depression National Institute of Mental Health
Adolescents and Mental Health World Health Organization

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.

Article Name
Source
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.

Article Name
Source
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
School Connectedness   Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Role of the Coach in the Coach-Athlete Relationship The Lancet
The Coach-Athlete Partnership The British Psychological Society
5 important Things in a Good Coach to Athlete Relationship Swim Swam

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.