2019 DCPS health survey shows suicidal behaviors increasing in middle and high school students

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The 2019 Youth Risk Behavior Survey shows that while sexual behaviors, alcohol and tobacco use are decreasing, suicidal behaviors are increasing in middle and high schoolers.

The number of high school students reporting to be sexually active has decreased by 14.5 percent in the last ten years. Tobacco and alcohol use have also decreased. Alcohol usage by high schoolers have declined by 13.8 percent.

“Today’s youth are making better decisions about their sexual health than just a decade ago,”said Dr. Pauline Rolle, Interim Health Officer and Medical Director of the Florida Department of Health in Duval County. “We have made strides in the behaviors that put students most at risk for HIV and sexually transmitted diseases.”

However, in the past ten years there have been an increase of trends that include unhealthy eating, not going to school because students don’t feel safe, and a significant number of middle and high school students who have seriously considered or even attempted suicide.

In this year’s survey, it was found that one in five students reported making a plan to commit suicide. Sixteen percent of middle school students reported that they have attempted suicide. Nineteen percent of high school students reported that they have attempted suicide.

According to the study, female, Asian, and Hispanic middle school students were statistically more likely to report suicide risk behaviors. Female and lesbian, gay or bisexual students were statistically more likely to report depression and suicidal behaviors.

“All educators in our district are required to take Youth Mental Health First Aid training, which helps them better identify when students are having a mental health crisis and give them the right resources,” said Katrina Taylor, director of school behavioral health at DCPS. “Informing educators on the reality that more than 30 percent of our students in middle school have seriously considered suicide will be a much needed reminder that addressing their mental health is as much a priority as their academic health.”

The survey was completed by 4,032 students from 21 public high schools and 4,585 students from 28 public middle schools.

The full survey can be found here.

Cox Media Group