You’re Invited!
The Wisconsin Office of Children's Mental Health (OCMH) is hosting a panel discussion on best practices in Psychological and Physical Safety in Schools.
Wednesday, August 21, 2024 • 12:00-1:00 pm • Virtual
Register here.
The discussion builds off the OCMH School Shooting Fact Sheet and will feature three speakers:
- Trish Kilpin, Director of the Office of School Safety, Wisconsin Department of Justice
- Heidi Johnson, Communications and PR Manager, WAVE Educational Fund
- Laurice Snyder, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging Consultant, Center 4ALL at CESA 6
This discussion is open to anyone interested in School Safety – feel free to share our flyer with your networks.
Knowing the panel will take place during the busy back-to-school period, it will also be recorded, with the recording available at a later date.
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The Wisconsin Youth Risk Behaviors Survey (YRBS) Summary Report was recently released by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction. It confirms Wisconsin youth continue to navigate a mental health crisis.
Among key findings, students generally reported experiencing significant mental health challenges while having fewer supports at school and at home. According to the survey, 59% of high school students said they have experienced at least one mental health challenge over the past 12 months. Students also reported an increase in social media and overall screen usage, with additional decreases in the amount of sleep they get each night.
More than half of students reported experiencing anxiety (52%), one in three students (35%) reported experiencing depression almost every day for two weeks in a row or more, and one in five students (21%) reported non-suicidal self-harm.
LGBTQ+ and female students reported a disproportionate number of mental health challenges compared to peers. Of LGB students, 79% reported experiencing anxiety, 63% reported experiencing depression, and 40% reported considering suicide. Female survey respondents were twice as likely (28%) to harm themselves compared to male students, with 67% of female students also reporting experiencing anxiety and 45% reporting experiencing depression.
The YRBS includes data on mental and physical health, suicide, online behavior, sexual and dating violence, drug and alcohol use, nutrition, and protective factors, among other topics. The 2023 state sample for the YRBS includes responses from 1,882 Wisconsin students in 42 public, charter, and alternative high schools. The survey was administered in spring 2023. In addition to the sample, some 200,000 Wisconsin students took the YRBS, and that data is available at the school and county level.
The YRBS is a critical resource for understanding how youth are doing. It gives us state, county, and school district level data. OCMH strongly encourages community members to explore their local data and to support their school’s participation in the YRBS.
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OCMH is privileged to know and work with many remarkable individuals with lived experience in children’s mental health. In this newsletter we’ve asked Frank Cimorelli, OCMH Lived Experience Partner, to answer questions about mental health support and coping strategies. Frank lost his son, Camden, to death by suicide.
Tell us about a time when you felt supported by another person.
I’m lucky I have my wife Melissa. She is the one who held me together in the months following Camden’s death. Just as important, she was the one who kept reminding me he wasn’t himself when he would be in one of his spirals. It could be very frustrating dealing with someone in crisis because they do and say hurtful things they normally would not say. Melissa was the one to remind me it wasn’t him when she saw I was hurt.
When is the last time you asked for help? What is your go-to coping strategy?
I ask for help every week. I’ve been going to therapy every week for a year and a half. I knew it was too heavy for me to do this by myself so I started therapy shortly after Camden died. Looking back I wish I started therapy years ago when I first started to notice Camden’s struggles. My go-to coping strategy is to continue with therapy as I try to take steps forward in trying to learn my new way of living. Every beautiful moment is immediately compared to what you have lost. It’s a balancing act of always feeling two things at once.
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Showcasing Solutions – Four Wisconsin Organizations Use Peer Workers to Help Families and Youth
The shortage of mental health workers is being felt by many. And it isn’t expected to be remedied anytime soon. See how four organizations in Wisconsin are leveraging peer workers in mental health systems to help youth and families and take pressure off the mental health care workforce shortage. See the latest Showcasing Solutions.
With Showcasing Solutions, OCMH highlights great things going on in children’s mental health in our state. Check out all our Showcasing Solutions.
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OCMH 10th Anniversary
In 2024 OCMH celebrates its 10th anniversary. Although the office got it's start in 2014, discussions on the importance of an organization attached to the Governor’s office that could more effectively increase the alignment of children’s mental health across state department began in the early 2010s. “From its beginning in 2014, OCMH has convened and supported an impressive array of leaders who together have achieved much alignment, collaboration, and improvement of children’s mental health,” said Linda Hall, OCMH Director. See a recap of OCMH’s history.
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Partner Reflections
OCMH has built a strong network of partners in the collective work to improve children’s mental health. A number of these partners share their reflections on OCMH’s 10 years. See the most recent OCMH Partner Reflections where Kevin Moore, CEO – UnitedHealtcare Community Plan of Wisconsin and Amy Herbst, Vice President, Mental and Behavioral Health – Children’s Wisconsin share their thoughts on OCMH’s contribution to sharing children’s mental health data. And see all the Partner Reflections to date on our special 10th Anniversary webpage.
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Children’s Mental Health Fact of the Month
As our recent Partner Reflections point out, OCMH’s commitment to sharing relevant children’s mental health data is foundational. Each month during our 10th Anniversary activities, we are calling out one important children’s mental health indicator. This month we highlight that the majority of kids who get mental health treatment get it at school. See it here. Also see our other Children’s Mental Health Facts of the Month on our 10th Anniversary webpage.
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Kids Online Safety Act. S. 1409, introduced by U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), passed the Senate by a 91-3 vote on July 30th.
If signed into law, social media covered platforms would be required to take reasonable measures to:
- filter harmful content;
- restrict access to minors' personal data;
- refrain from facilitating advertising of age-restricted products or services (e.g., tobacco and gambling) to minors;
- provide parents with tools to supervise minors' use of a platform, such as control of privacy and account settings;
- allow parents, guardians, minors, and schools to report certain harms; and
- annually report on foreseeable risks of harm to minors from using the platform.
Large internet applications, including search engines and social network sites, would also be required to:
- meet certain requirements before using algorithms that prioritize information furnished to the user based on user-specific data, and
- make available a version of the platform that uses algorithms that do not prioritize information based on user data.
The bill exempts internet service providers, email services, educational institutions, and other specified entities from the requirements. It also requires a National Academy of Sciences study of the risks of harm to minors of social media and other online platforms.
In May, a House version of the bill, H.R. 7891, introduced by Rep. Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), was forwarded by the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Innovation, Data, and Commerce to the Full Committee.
WI Youth Wellness Hub – New Resource for Youth Mental and Behavioral Health
Concerned about a young person's mental or behavioral health? Finding the right help can be challenging due to various options, insurance issues, and costs. The WI Youth Wellness Hub offers a solution.
This free, confidential online tool assists parents, caregivers, and professionals in Wisconsin. It simplifies the process of navigating mental and behavioral health services for children and young adults 21 years and under. Simply answer a few initial questions, and the tool provides a tailored guide to connect youth with necessary resources and support. Explore the tool here. The Youth Wellness Hub is a product of the Well Badger Resource Center, developed with insights from families with lived experience and mental health professionals. Check it out and start the journey toward better support!
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Triple P Online Programs are Free
Triple P – Positive Parenting Program includes four online programs for parents/caregivers for the following ages – all free of charge:
- Triple P Online – children under 12 years old
- Teen Triple P Online – pre-teens and teens 10 years and older
- Fear-less Triple P Online – children 6 years and older who are often anxious
- Triple P Online for Baby – babies up to 12 months
Learn more/register here.
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