Children in Colorado have experienced high levels of anxiety, depression, and thoughts of self-harm in recent years. Now, early data from Summit County suggests that young people in that community are starting to feel better.
Nearly 40% of Colorado teens reported experiencing persistent sadness in 2021, according to the Healthy Kids Colorado Survey, a biennial survey of more than 100,000 students across the state. reported feeling hopeless.
Some new 2023 survey results presented to the Summit County Board of County Commissioners this week show dramatic improvements in teen happiness. At Summit High School, the larger of the county’s two high schools with about 1,100 students, more than 1 in 3 teens reported feeling sad or hopeless for at least two weeks in 2021. The same symptoms, with about 1 in 5 students reporting these thoughts last year.
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“It just allows us to breathe a little bit easier,” said Elizabeth Edgar, the county’s director of youth and family services. “And you’re like, ‘Okay, at least we can know if we’re going in the right direction.'” We still have work to do. ”
In addition to persistent mental health issues, rural areas like Summit County typically lack ample behavioral health providers and treatment options. Summit School District focuses on improving health through connections with peers and their scholars.
Summit High School Dean of Students Dave DeRose cited a recent example. The school invited local Senegalese immigrant families to dinner with administrators in the high school building to share a meal and facilitate dialogue focused on gaining a deeper understanding of their experiences in the district. This especially concerns language barriers.
“It was very powerful to not only focus on the in-school needs of students, but also address the needs of the community,” DeRose said.
Some data from Summit High School also shows a decline in the percentage of students vaping and drinking alcohol. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment will release the results of the statewide Healthy Kids Colorado survey this summer.
