RELATED: Suicide, depression rates among teenagers growing
“While athletic programs bring many benefits to kids and teens, the stress of excelling in their sport often brings additional pressures of perfection to the already stressful life of a teen,” a news release for the event says.
Some recent suicides have involved local teen athletes.
In March the Fairmont vs. Wayne sectional final boys basketball game was postponed due to a student athlete’s death by suicide.
Suicide is the second leading cause of death for youth. The Dayton Daily News Path Forward team is taking a deep dive into what can be done to improve mental health outcomes for youth in our community. That series will be begin in the coming weeks.
The forum Wednesday will be hosted by child psychologist Dr. Gregory Ramey and sports medicine physician Dr. Lora Scott.
They’ll help parents and coaches learn how to support young people in coping with the pressures of athletics and school.
Increased suicide among teens is part of a larger trend of increased anxiety and depression, Ramey said.
“Mood disorders among children, adolescents and young adults has increased significantly over the past 10 years,” Ramey said in a recent interview. “This is not just a local trend, this is a national trend.”
RELATED: Kettering Fairmont mourns death of student from suicide
The public is invited to attend the event live at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 24, at MVP Baseball, 145 S. Alex Road in West Carrollton.
It will also be broadcast on Facebook Live where viewers can ask questions in real time. The online event can be accessed through Dayton Children's Facebook page at facebook.com/DaytonChildrens.
Questions also can be submitted ahead of time by commenting on the Facebook event page, sending a private message to Dayton Children's via Facebook, or emailing Ramey at rameyg@childrensdayton.org.
People in need can call a suicide hotline number at the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255) to reach a trained counselor. The national crisis text line can be accessed by texting CONNECT to 741741. An online chat option is available by going to suicidepreventionlifeline.org/chat/ and entering your zip code.
How to go
What: Mind Games: The hidden world of athletes and their mental health, a community conversation with Dr. Greg Ramey and Dr. Lora Scott.
When: 7:30 p.m. April 24, 2019.
Where: MVP - Home of the Dayton Classics, 145 South Alex Road, West Carrollton.
Online: Facebook Live on facebook.com/DaytonChildrens
Contact:rameyg@childrensdayton.org
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