Fairfax County Youth Survey Reveals Mental Health and Risk Behavior Data

Fairfax County
Youth Survey
School Year
2011-2012

Depression, Suicide and Unhealthy
Weight Loss Behaviors
Fairfax County 2011 Youth Survey
Updated September 2012

About the Fairfax County Youth Survey

It provides DATA to county, school, and
community–based organizations to:

• Assess Youth Strengths and Needs
• Develop Programs and Services
• Monitor Trends
• Measure Community Indicators
• Guide Countywide Planning of Prevention Efforts


2

More About the Fairfax County Youth Survey
• Comprehensive
• Anonymous
• Voluntary
It examines the
• Behaviors,
• Experiences, and
• Risk and Protective Factors that influence the well-
being of our county’s youth.

3

Fairfax County Youth Survey Web Page

www.fairfaxcounty.gov/youthsurvey

4

Fairfax County Youth Survey Participation

• 45,350 FCPS students

• Grades 6, 8, 10, and 12

• Representing 87% of enrolled students

6th grade students take a shortened,
modified survey.


5

Three to Succeed


Three to Succeed
The Three to Succeed concept is based on the youth
survey analysis that shows how just having three assets (or
strengths) dramatically reduces risk behaviors and
promotes thriving youth.

Assets are strengths in young people, their families, schools
and communities that help them thrive in health, in school
and daily life, and in a safe environment. The more assets
an individual has in their lives, the fewer risk behaviors are
reported.


7

Three to Succeed
Asset Graph for Fairfax County (Grades 8, 10, 12)
80 Bullied Someone (Year)
Sex (Ever)
Alcohol Use (30 Days)
70
Marijuana Use (30 Days)
Percent with Risky Behavior

Carried a Weapon (Year)
60 Binge Drinking (2 Weeks)
0 Assets Cigarette Use (30 Days)
50 Gang Member (Ever)

40
3 Assets
30
6 Assets
20

10

0
0 1 2 3 4 5 6
Number of Assets
Having High Personal Integrity Having Community Adults to Talk to
Performing Community Service Participating in Extracurricular Activities
Having Teachers Recognize Good Work Having Parents Available for Help


8

Asset Graph for Fairfax County (Grade 6)
60
Bullied Someone (year)
Carried a Weapon (year)
Percent with Risky Behaviors

50 Cyberbullied Someone (year)
Inhalant Use (30 days)
Alcohol Use (30 days)
40 Cigarettes (30 days)
Marijuana Use (30 days)

30

20

10

0
1 2 3 4 5 6
Number of Assets

High Personal Integrity Have Community Adults to Talk to
Perform Community Service Participate in Extracurricular Activities
Feel Safe at School Parents are Available for Help


9

Mental Health:
Depression, Suicide and
Unhealthy Weight Loss
Survey Questions and
Results

Fairfax County Youth Survey Questions
Students were asked the following question.

The next section asks about your feelings and
experiences in other parts of your life.
Remember, your answers are confidential.

During the past 12 months, did you ever feel so
sad or hopeless almost every day for two weeks
or more in a row that you stopped doing some
usual activities? Yes/No

The question regarding depressive symptoms is asked annually.
11
11

Percent Who Experienced Depressive Symptoms in
Past Year (Grades 8, 10, 12)
60

50

40
% Reporting

30

20

10

0
Other/
Overall 8th 10th 12th Female Male White Black Hispanic Asian
Multiple
FCPS 29.2 24.9 30.7 32.0 35.1 23.0 25.3 28.1 37.6 28.6 34.5
US 28.7 28.9


12

Percent Who Experienced Depressive Symptoms in
Past Year (Grade 6)
60

50

40
% Reporting

30

20

10

0
Other/
Overall Female Male White Black Hispanic Asian
Multiple
% 22.1 24.3 19.9 17.8 25.9 30.3 19.6 24.9


13

Depressive Symptoms Lower in 2011
60

50

40
% Reporting

30

20

10

0
Other/
Overall 8th 10th 12th Female Male White Black Hispanic Asian
Multiple
FCPS
32.2 29.0 32.6 35.3 36.5 27.9 27.8 32.9 40.8 32.7 36.5
2010
FCPS
29.2 24.9 30.7 32.0 35.1 23.0 25.3 28.1 37.6 28.6 34.5
2011

Note: 6th Grade Prevalence = 22.5% and 22.1% in 2010 and 2011, respectively


14

A Closer Look at Depressive Symptoms
60

50

40
% Reporting

30

20

10

0
Other/
Overall 8th 10th 12th White Black Hispanic Asian
Multiple
Male 23.0 20.1 23.5 25.4 19.7 23.8 27.7 23.5 28.7
Female 35.1 29.6 37.4 38.2 30.7 32.6 46.9 33.3 40.0


15


The next section asks about your feelings during
the past 12 months.
Remember, your answers are confidential.

During the past 12 months, did you ever:
… seriously consider attempting suicide? Yes/No
… actually attempt suicide? Yes/No

The questions regarding suicide are asked biennially.
16
16

Percent Who Considered Suicide in the Past Year
(Grades 8, 10, 12)
60

50

40
% Reporting

30

20

10

0
Hispani Other/
Overall 8th 10th 12th Female Male White Black Asian
c Multiple
FCPS 15.8 13.9 17.5 16.1 19.6 11.9 13.8 15.5 18.8 15.7 21.7
US 16.5 13.6


17

Percent Who Attempted Suicide in the Past Year
(Grades 8, 10, 12)

60

50

40

30
% Reporting

20

10

0
Hispani Other/
Overall 8th 10th 12th Female Male White Black Asian
c Multiple
FCPS 3.8 3.1 4.3 3.9 4.7 2.8 3.0 3.7 5.9 3.2 5.2
US 8.2 6.3


18

Assets and Experiences of Depressive Symptoms
and Suicide
70
Depressive Symptoms
60
Suicidal Ideation
Percent with Experience

50 Attempted Suicide

40

30

20

10

0
0 1 2 3 4 5 6
Number of Assets
Having High Personal Integrity Having Community Adults to Talk to
Performing Community Service Participating in Extracurricular Activities
Having Teachers Recognize Good Work Having Parents Available for Help


19

Students were asked the following questions regarding
unhealthy weight loss behaviors:
During the past 30 days, did you
…go without eating for 24 hours or more(also called fasting)
to lose weight or to keep from gaining weight?

...take any diet pills, powders, or liquids without a doctor’s
advice to lose weight or to keep from gaining weight? Do
not include meal replacement products (such as Slim Fast).

...vomit or take laxatives to lose weight or to keep from
gaining weight?

The questions regarding unhealthy weight loss behaviors are asked biennially.
20
20

A Closer Look at Unhealthy Weight Loss Behavior
60

50

40
% Reporting

30

20

10

0
Other/
Overall 8th 10th 12th White Black Hispanic Asian
Multiple
Male 5.6 5.9 5.4 5.4 4.2 7.5 8.3 5.5 4.8
Female 12.9 11.2 13.9 13.6 11.6 12.9 19.3 9.4 14.7


21

Substance Use
Correlation to Depression


Correlation Data

• Cross-tabulations are when we look at the
way students responded to multiple
questions, for example when we look at
results by demographics such as symptoms of
depression by gender or the cross of two
experiences such as symptoms of depression
by substance use.
Cross-tabulations of data do not imply cause
and effect.


23
23

Correlation Data
• The results do not imply that being a certain gender
or using substances causes depression. The data
indicate there is a correlation of the female gender
reporting higher prevalence of reported depressive
symptoms.
• Similarly, youth who use substances are more likely
to report symptoms of depression, but the results do
NOT show if substance use causes depression or if
depression leads to substance use.


24
24

Depression (Grades 8, 10, 12)
Substance Use Related Factors
60
Comparing Depression and No Depression
as Sub-populations
50

40
% Reporting

30

20

10

0 30-Day 30-Day Binge 30-Day 30-Day 30-Day 30-Day 30-Day
ATOD Alcohol Drinking Marijuana Tobacco Painkillers Inhalant Prescription
Experienced
43.0 30.4 15.7 17.6 13.4 7.9 4.9 5.8
Depression
No Depression 24.3 18.2 8.9 9.4 5.0 2.6 1.5 2.0


25

Depression (Grade 6)
Substance Use Related Factors
40
as Sub-populations
30
% Reporting

20

10

0
30-Day 30-Day 30-Day 30-Day 30-Day Ever Used
ATOD Inhalant Alcohol Tobacco Marijuana Inhalant
Experienced
10.9 6.5 4.5 0.7 0.6 11.6
Depression
No Depression 4.6 2.7 1.8 0.3 0.2 5.7


26

Aggression and Victimization


Aggression & Victimization Related Factors
80
70
as Sub-populations
60
50
% Reporting

40
30
20
10
0
Victim
Victim Racially or Cyber-
Racial or
Victim Cyber- Bullied Culturally bullied Carried a Ever Been
Cultural
Bullying bullying at Others Harrassed Others at Weapon in a Gang
Harrass-
School Others School
ment
Experienced
69.1 56.3 27.0 59.7 47.3 17.5 18.2 4.6
Depression
No Depression 45.9 36.8 10.0 47.8 37.5 7.5 9.8 2.2


28

Aggression & Victimization Related Factors
100
90
as Sub-populations
80
% Reporting

70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
Victim
Victim Racially or Cyber-
Racial or
Victim Cyber- Bullied Culturally bullied Carried a
Cultural
Bullying bullying at Others Harrassed Others at Weapon
Harrass-
School Others School
ment
Experienced
68.2 33.7 26.0 29.2 9.3 11.3 21.1
Depression
No Depression 39.0 14.5 9.4 19.3 5.9 4.3 13.6


29

Health and Well-Being
Correlation to
Depression


Health and Well-Being Related Factors
100
90
as Sub-populations
80
70
60
50
% Reporting

40
30
20
10
0
Physical Activity
Sleep (Fewer than 8 Ever Had Sexual
(Less than 1 hr, 5+ Ever Had Oral Sex
hrs) Intercourse
days/week)
Experienced
65.3 77.2 33.0 34.6
Depression
No Depression 56.6 62.5 18.2 20.7


31

Health and Well-Being Related Factors
80
70 Comparing Depression and
No Depression
60 as Sub-populations
% Reporting 50
40
30
20
10
0
Physical Activity (Less than 1 hr,
5+ days/week)
Experienced
49.3
Depression
No Depression 44.6


32

School Performance


School Performance Related Factors
60
% Reporting

40
30
20
10
0
Low
Skipped Don't Feel Suspended in Perceived
Poor Grades
School* Safe at School Past Year Ability to Do
Well in School
Experienced
41.0 22.2 12.0 4.3 2.3
Depression
No Depression 25.6 9.4 6.9 1.8 1.2
*Data are from the 2010 Youth Survey


34

School Performance Related Factors
60
50 Comparing Depression and No Depression
% Reporting

as Sub-populations
40
30
20
10
0
Low Perceived
Don't Feel Safe
Poor Grades Ability to Do Well
at School
in School
Experienced
18.0 2.5 6.9
Depression
No Depression 4.0 0.9 5.0


35

Risk and Protective
Factors


Risk and Protective Factors

Risk Factors help us explain
circumstances that may
increase the likelihood of
problem behaviors

Youth who exhibit increased amounts of a risk factor
are considered to be at “high risk” in that category


37

Risk and Protective Factors

Protective Factors can help
increase resiliency to substance
use and problem behaviors,
buffering youth from risk
Youth who exhibit increased amounts of a protective factor
are considered to have “high protection” in that
category

Full Glossary of R&P questions can be found in the
2010 Fairfax County Youth Survey Report.


38

Protective Factors
100 Comparing Depression and No Depression
80
70
% Reporting

60
50
40
30
20
10
0
Have Participate in
Perform Teachers Parents are
High Personal Community Extra-
Community Recognize Available for
Integrity Adults to Talk curricular
Service Good Work Help
to Activities
Experienced
67.2 63.1 54.2 25.2 67.5 62.3
Depression
No Depression 79.0 71.4 67.3 41.9 76.4 84.8


39

Protective Factors
as Sub-populations
100
90
% Reporting

80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
Have Participate
High Perform Parents are
Feel Safe at Community in Extra-
Personal Community Available for
School Adults to curricular
Integrity Service Help
Talk to Activities
Experienced
93.7 44.7 82.0 42.9 68.4 79.1
Depression
No Depression 97.6 47.3 96.1 59.0 77.0 92.3


40

Depressive Symptoms in Past Year
Related Factors
ATOD
(Past 30 Days)
70%
Unhealthy Weight Loss Methods Suicide Ideation
(Past 30 Days) (Past Year)

Victim of Bullying
Had Sex (Ever)
(Past Year)
0%

Victim of Racial/Cultural
Harrassment Physically Forced to Have Sex (Ever)
(Past Year)

Cyberbullied by Student at School Victim of Attack
(Past Year) (Past Year)

Depression No Depression


41

Suicide Ideation in Past Year
Related Factors
ATOD
(Past 30 Days)
75%
Unhealthy Weight Loss Methods Bullied by Parent
(Past 30 Days) (Past Year)

Victim of Bullying
Had Sex (Ever)
(Past Year)
0%

Victim of Racial/Cultural
Harrassment Physically Forced to Have Sex (Ever)
(Past Year)

Cyberbullied by Student at School Victim of Attack
(Past Year) (Past Year)

Suicide Ideation No Suicide Ideation


42

Asset Graph for Caring Adults (Grades 8, 10, 12)
Bullied Someone (Year)
Sex (Ever)
70 Alcohol Use (30 Days)
Marijuana Use (30 Days)
Carried a Weapon (Year)
60
Percent with Risky Behavior

Binge Drinking (2 Weeks)
Cigarettes (30 Days)
50 Gang Member (Ever)

40

30

20

10

0
0 1 2 3
Number of Assets
Teachers Recognize Good Work Have Community Adults to Talk to Parents are Available for Help


43

The Prevention Toolkit
The Prevention Toolkit • Alcohol, Tobacco and Other
provides access to Drugs
presentations, videos, fact • Bullying and Cyberbullying
sheets, links to helpful • Depression, Suicide and
organizations and resources,
Unhealthy Weightloss
and ideas for taking action in
your family and community to • Nutrition and Physical
address Youth Survey related Activity
topics. • Teen Dating Abuse

The Prevention Toolkit Website
www.fairfaxcounty.gov/ncs/prevention/toolkit.htm

Contact Email
NCSPrevention@fairfaxcounty.gov


44

Help and More Information

Find these and other organizations in the Prevention Toolkit
as resources for help and more information.

• Crisislink Suicide Prevention Hotline: (703) 527-4077

• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: (800) 273-TALK (8255)

• Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board (CSB)
Mental Health Services
24-Hour CSB Emergency Services Phone: 703-383-8500

TTY: 703-207-7737


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Help and More Information from
Fairfax County Public Schools

Intervention and Prevention Services

 School Psychology Services

 School Social Work Services

 Student Safety and Wellness

 School Counseling Services


46

Questions? Contact Us!
Sophia Dutton
Countywide Service Integration and Planning Management
Economic, Demographic and Statistical Research
Sophia.Dutton@fairfaxcounty.gov

Dede Bailer
Fairfax County Public Schools
Office of Intervention and Prevention Services

Dede.Bailer@fcps.edu

www.fairfaxcounty.gov/youthsurvey
47

Fairfax County Youth Survey Reveals Mental Health and Risk Behavior Data

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