Mental Health and Stress

Depression, anxiety and behavioral disorders are among the leading causes of illness and disability among adolescents. Suicide is the fourth leading cause of death among 15- to 19-year-olds. For most kids, warning signs are a decline in grades, changes in social habits like pulling away from school, friends, and activities.

39.2% of York County Youth reported feeling depressed or sad most days in the past 12 months. 27.22% of youth reported thinking that sometimes life is not worth it. 16.35% of youth reported self harm in the last 12 months. Feeling depressed or sad was correlated with increased consumption of ATOD.

Source: Pennsylvania Youth Survey. Pennsylvania Center on Crime and Delinquency. Accessed March 9, 2022.

Resources

PAStart Substance Use and Behavioral Toolkit – Mental Health Toolkit
https://pastart.org/families-communities/family-toolkits/cas-toolkit-mental-health/

Talking to Adolescents and Teens: Starting the Conversation
https://www.mhanational.org/talking-adolescents-and-teens-starting-conversation

Pennsylvania Student Assistance Program
https://pnsas.org/Portals/0/About%20SAP/General%20SAP%20In%20PA/WhatIsSAP%207-31-19.pdf?ver=2020-01-27-165154-607 – PDF download from PA Network for Student Assistance Services