OCMH Senior Research Analyst Amy Marsman spotlights recent articles, resources, and research findings impacting youth mental health.
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Mental and Behavioral Health Disorders Are Increasing in U.S. and Effective Preventive Interventions Should Be Expanded, Report Says
The National Academies released a new report and highlights that offers a blueprint to expand evidence-based interventions that prevent mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders and improve mental health. The report, finalized before the recent changes in federal health agencies, identifies the infrastructure — funding, workforce, data systems, governance, and partnerships — needed to successfully implement effective approaches to improve mental health.
The report cites school-based socioemotional learning and other prevention programs as effective means to improving youth social skills, mental health, prosocial behavior, and academic achievement, as well as preventing antisocial behavior and substance misuse.
Depression Prevalence in Adolescents and Adults
Newly released CDC analysis of adults and adolescents (ages 12 and older) found overall depression prevalence was highest in adolescents ages 12–19 (19.2%). Also, from 2013–2014 to August 2021–August 2023 depression prevalence in adolescents and adults increased overall, both in females and males. Among adolescents and adults with depression, 87.9% reported at least some difficulty with work, home, or social activities due to their depression symptoms. Among adolescents and adults with depression, a higher percentage of females (43.0%) than males (33.2%) reported receiving counseling or therapy in the past 12 months.
Global Adolescent Depression Trends, 1990 to 2021
This study analyzed trends in the burden of depression among adolescents aged 10 to 24 years globally from 1990 to 2021, with a focus on the impact of COVID-19 on adolescent depression and health inequalities. Using data from the 2021 Global Burden of Disease Study, researchers found depression incidence and prevalence increased with age, with the 20–24 age group showing the highest rates. The burden of depression was higher in females than in males. The COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted adolescent depression, with reported prevalence and incidence, rates in 2020 and 2021 far exceeding predicted values.
Prevalence and Early Identification of Autism Among Children Ages 4 - 8 Years: Rates Continue to Increase
In 2022, a total of 16 states, including Wisconsin, conducted surveillance for Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) among children aged 4 and 8 years and suspected ASD among children aged 4 years. Overall prevalence increased. Boys continue to be diagnosed more than girls, and the highest rates are among children who are Asian/Pacific Islander, American Indian/Alaska Native, and Black.
Specifically, among children aged 8 years in 2022, ASD prevalence was 32.2 per 1,000 children (one in 31) across the 16 sites, ranging from 9.7 in Texas to 53.1 in California. ASD was 3.4 times as prevalent among boys (49.2) than girls (14.3). Overall, ASD prevalence was lower among white children (27.7) than among Asian/Pacific Islander (38.2), American Indian/Alaska Native (37.5), Black (36.6), Hispanic (33.0), and multiracial children (31.9). No association was observed between ASD prevalence and neighborhood median household income at 11 sites; higher ASD prevalence was associated with lower neighborhood median household income at five sites.
The CDC’s analysis is considered the most rigorous estimate of how common autism is; the data are also highly valuable in showing the variability in ASD identification across sites. This variability suggests opportunities to implement common successful identification practices that support early identification and allow children with ASD to thrive.
CDC Reports Nearly 24% Decline in U.S. Drug Overdose Deaths
The CDC reported that overall drug deaths in the U.S. are down roughly a quarter, according to provisional CDC data. The decline in fatal overdoses linked to fentanyl is even greater: 30.6% decline in overdose deaths in one year. If these trends continue, the fatal overdose rate could dip to the 2016 rate, when fentanyl began replacing heroin in street drugs.
Lower overdose deaths from fentanyl are attributed to greater availability and use of naloxone (Narcan) used to reverse overdoses, testing strips, and a decline in the potency of street fentanyl. While some fentanyl potency dropped by as much as 50%, it is often replaced by other dangerous drugs like animal tranquilizers. Experts cautioned that these other drugs may be less lethal but are still very dangerous.
In addition to the large provisional drop in fatal overdoses, there are smaller decreases in nonfatal overdoses, as measured by emergency department visits for overdose, and continued decreases in self-reported youth substance use.
According to state level analysis, Wisconsin’s fentanyl use peaked in March 2022 and saw a 33% decline by Fall 2024. For further reading, see the Wisconsin Policy Forum’s report.
2023 Child and Family Health Measures Released (National Survey of Children’s Health)
The Data Resource Center for Child and Adolescent Health has released the most recent child and family health measures of the National Survey of Children’s Health (NSCH). These estimates are available in the interactive data query and cover a variety of survey results on child and family well-being, including emotional and mental health, community and school activities, neighborhood safety and support, and more.
Zero Suicide Model Shows 25% Reduction in Suicide Rate
The vast majority of individuals who attempt suicide or die by suicide have contact with health care practitioners before their suicide/attempt, making health systems essential for suicide prevention. The Zero Suicide model is the recommended approach for suicide prevention in health systems; it involves a screener, and if prompted, a risk assessment followed by a safety plan. Care teams also provide follow-up and help patients navigate resources.
This study of people aged 13 years or older found that implementation of the Zero Suicide model was associated with a reduction in suicide attempt rates among patients accessing outpatient mental health in 3 of 4 health systems, while the fourth system experienced a lower sustained rate. Reporting details the multi-state and multi-year research. Researchers are hopeful that this evidence will support the widespread adoption of Zero Suicide.
Supportive Social Media Posts Can Reduce Suicidal Thoughts
There is evidence that individuals who talk about successfully overcoming a suicidal crisis can have a preventive effect on other people in a similar situation. Researchers at the University of Vienna and the Medical University of Vienna have now been able to show that this effect, also known as "Papageno effect", also applies to posts on Instagram and other social media platforms. The study demonstrated that short form social media posts focusing on hope, healing, and recovery from past suicidal ideations or even attempts helped reduce suicides and suicide ideation. Researchers found that suicidal ideation significantly decreased among participants who viewed hope-centered posts. Further, help-seeking behavior increased, indicating that social media can play a critical role in promoting help seeking behaviors, and outreach to crisis services. 10% of Young Adults ages 18-24 had Suicidal Thoughts According to CDC Study
Suicide is a leading cause of death in the United States, with approximately 49,000 deaths in 2023. Many more persons experience suicidal thoughts. Timely data on suicidal thoughts and knowing someone who died by suicide, which can increase one’s risk for suicide, can guide public health prevention, planning, interventions, and postvention support.
This study used data from two probability-based online survey panels of adults during October–November 2023 and found more than two in five U.S. adults (42.4%) personally knew someone who died by suicide, and 5.3% of U.S. adults had suicidal thoughts during the past 12 months.
The Impact of Untreated Mental Health on School Performance and Educator Retention
The Ripple Effect: The Current State of Student Mental Health in Schools describes the ripple effect of student mental health and how it’s shaping the future of education. The report reveals that 71% of superintendents cite student mental health as their top concern, while 62% see its direct impact on academics. Educators are feeling the strain too, with 69% identifying funding shortages as a major obstacle. Meanwhile, 54% of parents worry about the physical toll mental health is taking on their children. The data in this report highlights the far-reaching effects of untreated mental health and special education needs.
New Dashboards Summarize Evidence for School-Based Mental Health Programs
The HEDCO Institute for Evidence-Based Educational Practice at the University of Oregon has new dashboards, two of which focus on student mental health. The dashboards summarizes evidence on school-based depression and anxiety prevention programs. These interactive tools allow users to filter through all empirical research conducted on the effectiveness of school-based anxiety and depression prevention programs for K-12 students, existing research studies, and review evidence about programs and practices that may be most meaningful to your school context.
Rates of Seclusion and Restraint in Wisconsin Schools Increased
New data from the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI) show there were more than 6,200 incidents of seclusion, a 15.3% increase, and more than 7,400 cases of physical restraint, a 16.9% increase, in Wisconsin schools in 2023-2024 school year. Most cases involved students with disabilities: 81% of all seclusion and 76% of all physical restraint incidents.
Student Homelessness at a New High
The reported number of homeless students hit a high mark in Wisconsin’s public schools in the 2023-24 academic year, likely due to both an increase in family homelessness and improved identification of existing need. The number of students in Wisconsin’s public schools identified as homeless increased to 20,195 during the 2023-24 school year. This is the highest number since 2019 – the first year for which data are available – and represents a 9.1% increase over the previous year despite the total number of enrolled students declining 1.1%.
Buying to Belong: Youth and Virtual Assets in the Metaverse
Fairplay asserts that young people treat social gaming platforms as third places, using them to conduct essential psychosocial work – particularly socializing with peers, identity exploration, and authentic self-expression. Social gaming platforms, however, exploit young people’s developmental need to perform this work and poison in-game communities with design features and game mechanics that motivate purchasing behavior by manufacturing social and emotional pressure.
Design features like streaks combined with game mechanics that increase players’ emotional attachment to a gaming platform can also lead to harmful overuse. Players who face social rejection, harassment, and bullying in these environments are at higher risk of mental health harm.
Young people believe social gaming platforms could be improved by eliminating manipulative designs, introducing more transparency around virtual currency and microtransactions, and reducing bullying, scamming, cheating, and hacking.
Screen Time Linked to Poor Sleep, Depression Among Teen Girls
This longitudinal study of adolescents empirically demonstrates that screen-sleep displacements impact several aspects of sleep simultaneously. The study revealed that screen time and internet time can deteriorate sleep within three months, in at least four central aspects simultaneously: sleep quality, duration, chronotype, and social jetlag. Displacements led to elevated depressive symptoms among girls but not boys. Boys may be more prone to externalizing symptoms due to sleep loss.
The Impact of Houselessness and Food Insecurity on the Mental Health of LGBTQ+ Youth
According to research from The Trevor Project, LGBTQ+ young people with a history of homelessness had over twice the rate of attempting suicide in the past year than those who have never been homeless (24% vs. 9%). Additionally, 40% of LGBTQ+ young people reported a history of food insecurity, homelessness, or unmet basic needs. Food insecurity, homelessness, and unmet basic needs were all independently associated with increased likelihood of anxiety, depression, suicidal ideation, and suicide attempts.
Improving Universal Suicide Risk Screening Rates at a Children’s Hospital
In hospital settings, screening for suicide risk enables assessment, brief interventions, and linkage to treatment. Increasing compliance with universal suicide risk screening during acute care visits (to the emergency department and/or inpatient medical units) is an important suicide prevention strategy. Investigators found that implementing a clinical care guideline, accompanied by clinical decision support, increased compliance with universal suicide risk screening for patients aged 10 years or older at a children’s hospital. Screening compliance rates increased from 27% to 80%.
The role of optimism, connectedness, and neighborhood collective efficacy as moderators of harsh parenting
Using data from the Future Families and Child Wellbeing Study, researchers found that optimism, connectedness, and neighborhood collective efficacy serve as protective factors. They examined these factors at age 15 as well as the cumulative exposure to harsh parenting across childhood (ages 3, 5, and 9 years). Results from analyses stratified by race/ethnicity show optimism, connectedness, and neighborhood collective efficacy serve as protective factors. However, unique protective factors emerged among different racial and ethnic youth. Evidence pointed to a need for safer, more cohesive neighborhood environments for Black youth. Evidence pointed to a need for increasing social connection among Hispanic youth.
The Role of Social Connectedness: Resilience in Transition Age Youth Experiencing Homelessness
This study highlights the critical interplay of internal resilience skills/attitudes and external resilience supports in buffering against negative outcomes for homeless youth.
Transitional age youth experiencing homelessness (TAY-EH) face a disproportionate burden of adversity, psychiatric and substance-related morbidity, and negative outcomes including suicide which may be attenuated by resilience. Resilience encompasses both internal attitudes and external supports. However, prior quantitative studies in TAY-EH have focused mainly on internal resilience. The aim of this study was to examine the interplay of internal and external resilience factors in buffering against suicidal ideation and self-injurious behaviors in a sample of TAY-EH. The results show higher internal resilience was associated with male gender identity, high social connectedness, and low suicidality and self-harm.
Finding that social connectedness plays an important role in resilience and suicide prevention, these results highlight the need for further research on integrating social connectedness-based interventions into existing service systems for TAY-EH, including basic support services, counseling programs, and rehousing interventions.
Childhood Adversity Weakens Brain Connectivity, But Support Protects It
New research shows that difficult early-life experiences are linked to weaker white matter connections across the adolescent brain, which may lead to lower cognitive performance. These “communication highways” in the brain are essential for functions like language and mental arithmetic and are shaped by early environmental influences.
Using brain imaging from over 9,000 children, the study found that widespread white matter differences could partly explain the long-term impact of adversity. However, social resilience factors—like positive parenting and supportive neighborhoods—may help buffer against these effects. Additionally, supportive environments—like stable home life and neighborhood cohesion—may counteract negative effects.
Report Release: Out-of-School Time and the Future of Youth Development
The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine convened a committee of experts to conduct a consensus study on learning and development of youth in out-of-school time (OST) settings across the K-12 age span. The resulting report, key facts, and highlights bring to light the challenges facing the OST sector, including workforce and accessibility issues. They found nearly 25 million children in the U.S. wanted to enroll in an OST but faced barriers such as high cost and transportation challenges. Further, 11 million children from low-income families were unable to participate in OST programs suggesting barriers to access are not evenly distributed.
This report provides information to policymakers, funders, and youth development practitioners on the role OST programs play in child and youth development.
New dashboard tracks Milwaukee youths in the justice system
According to local reporting, a new dashboard is available to families, policymakers, and the public on Milwaukee County youths in secure care, which includes county-run detention centers and state-run juvenile correctional facilities. Providing real-time data, the county’s Youth in Our Care dashboard currently shows there are more than 100 youth detained at the Vel R. Phillips Youth and Family Justice Center, which serves as the county’s juvenile detention center. Loved ones can use it to better keep track of where exactly youth are within the juvenile justice system.
Youth Protective Factors Study
The Youth Protective Factors Study is a multistate, multiyear examination of what risk and protective factors matter most when it comes to reoffending for youth ages 10 to 23 who are involved in the juvenile justice system. A survey of protective factors was given to almost 2,000 youth in three different states as part of juvenile justice system intake processes. The study provides policymakers and youth justice professionals with critical insights into how to maximize supervision, case planning, service, and funding strategies to preserve public safety and enhance positive youth outcomes. The study team is focusing on specific protective factors that mitigate youth reoffending and examining the impact of strength-based services on youth recidivism and violence.
In a newly released brief, the researchers found that across states, the protective factor most consistently associated with reduced serious reoffending was self-control. In two states, the self-control and self-efficacy measures predicted reductions in violent reoffending post-supervision beyond the youth’s risk level alone. In the state with the largest sample, which allowed for the ability to detect small effects, social support from caregivers, and prosocial engagements (e.g., sense of purpose and school connectedness) also contributed to protection against violent reoffending post-supervision.
What Data Tell Us About How Schools Can Amplify Student Voice
Child Trends conducted a mixed-methods study in four secondary schools located in a large urban school district. Data was gathered through interviews with school leaders and teachers, focus groups with students, and classroom observations. The researchers also surveyed 1,751 students, most of whom identified as students of color and nearly all of whom attended schools with already existing student voice initiatives. Their research surfaced many insights, but one finding was unequivocal: Student voice plays a critical role in school improvement. When schools offer students meaningful ways to contribute—and when adults respond to those contributions—student engagement, academic success, and school connectedness improve.
OCMH Research and Data Resources
Key Facts in Youth Mental Health: https://children.wi.gov/Pages/ResearchData/KeyFacts.aspx
Fact Sheets: https://children.wi.gov/Pages/ResearchData/FactSheets.aspx
Data Sources: https://children.wi.gov/Pages/Resources/DataSources.aspx
Research News in Youth Mental Health: https://children.wi.gov/Pages/OCMHNewsletters.aspx
Youth Mental Health Initiatives: https://children.wi.gov/Pages/Resources/ChildrensInitiatives.aspx
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