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Positively Linked Prevention and Resilience Training Education and Support Oak Harbor WA Hero Image Youth Mental Health Page

Youth Mental Health

Risks

Poor mental health in adolescence is more than feeling blue. It can impact many areas of a teen’s life. Youth with poor mental health may struggle with school and grades, decision making, and their health.

 

Mental health problems in youth often go hand-in-hand with other health and behavioral risks like increased risk of drug use, experiencing violence, and higher risk sexual behaviors that can lead to HIV, STDs, and unintended pregnancy.

 

Because many health behaviors and habits are established in adolescence that will carry over into adult years, it is very important to help youth develop good mental health

Positively Linked Prevention and Resilience Training Education and Support Oak Harbor WA Youth Mental Health Photo 1
Positively Linked Prevention and Resilience Training Education and Support Oak Harbor WA Youth Mental Health Photo 2

Statistics

For kids ages 12-17 depression, substance use, and suicide are growing concerns.

 

According to the CDD over the last year:(2022)

 

  • More than a third (36.7%) reported having persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness

  • 15 percent had a major depressive episode

  • Nearly 19% seriously considered attempting suicide, with suicide being the second leading cause of death among ages 10-14

  • Among girls, 30% said they seriously considered attempting suicide, double the rate among boys and up almost 60% from a decade ago

  • Almost 50% of LQBTQ+ students said they had seriously considered a suicide attempt.

Warning Signs

Here are some signs and symptoms to look for when considering if your child needs mental health support:

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  • Changes in sleeping or eating patterns

  • Changes in mood, including outbursts or extreme irritability

  • Persistent sadness

  • Losing interest in or withdrawing from activities they normally enjoy

  • Starting or increasing substance use

  • Hurting oneself or talking about hurting oneself

  • Talking about death or suicide

  • Frequent headaches or stomachaches

  • Difficulty concentrating

  • Changes in academic performance

  • Avoiding or missing school

Positively Linked Prevention and Resilience Training Education and Support Oak Harbor WA Youth Mental Health Photo 3

According to the 2021 Washington State Healthy Youth Survey for Island County the following data was collected from grades 8, 10 and 12. For the statistics listed these are the number of students who responded to the survey for each grade 8th grade 475 students, 10th grade 468 students, and 12th grade 385 students.

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  • 8th grade 207 students reported feeling hopeless 2 weeks or longer

  • 10th grade 192 students reported feeling hopeless 2 weeks or longer

  • 12th grade 206 students reported feeling hopeless 2 weeks or longer

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  • 8th grade 321 students reported having anxiety for 2 weeks or longer

  • 10th grade 346 students reported having anxiety for 2 weeks or longer

  • 12th grade 285 students reported having anxiety for 2 weeks or longer

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  • 6th grade 111 students reported that they considered attempting suicide

  • 8th grade 133 students reported that they considered attempting suicide

  • 10th grade 115 students reported that they considered attempting suicide

  • 12th grade 113 students reported that they considered attempting suicide

Videos

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