This week's post comes from Kent Reed. Mr. Reed is the School Counseling Program Consultant for the Kansas Department of Education. He provides numerous resources and research to school counselors, teachers, administrators and families across the state.
If you have questions or concerns about this topic, please contact me at grievesk@usd320.com
'The Choking Game' is a 'game' that has been in existence for over 20 years. Its popularity comes and goes, but right now it seems to be gaining interest among young adolescents. Hopefully this information will help you identify dangerous activities among your teenagers or just open up a conversation with them about the dangers of seemingly innocent 'games.'
1. What is the Choking Game?
a. It’s not a game at all—just an act of suffocating on purpose.
b. Adolescents cut off the flow of blood to the brain, in exchange for a few seconds of feeling lightheaded. Some strangle themselves with a belt, a rope or their bare hands; others push on their chest or hyperventilate.
c. When they release the pressure, blood that was blocked up floods the brain all at once. This sets off a warm and fuzzy feeling, which is just the brain dying, thousands of cells at a time.
2. Who’s playing the Choking Game?
a. Mostly boys and girls between 9-16 years old, nationwide and around the world. These adolescents are generally high-achieving in academics, activities and sports, and don’t want to risk getting caught with drugs or alcohol. The practice is taught through word of mouth and through the internet.
b. By one name or another, the Choking Game has been going on for well over 20 years. But the most recent use of bonds (ropes, belts) and the growing practice of playing alone have increased its deadliness dramatically.
c. It’s estimated as many as 250 to 1,000 young people die in the United States each year playing some variant of the Choking Game, but it’s difficult to track statistics because many of the cases are reported as suicides.
3. Why are kids doing it?
a. Some do it for the high, which can become addictive.
b. Others do it because it's “cool” and risky.
c. Most kids who have died from this were active, intelligent, stable children who thought this was a safe alternative to drugs and alcohol. Most children have no concept of their own mortality—they truly believe nothing can hurt them.
For more info go to Games Adolescents Shouldn’t Play (GASP) at http://www.gaspinfo.com/en/choking.html.
