Not alone: What we know from the YRBS 2019 Youth Risk Behavior - - PDF document

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Not alone: What we know from the YRBS

• 49% had significant problems with feeling very

anxious, nervous, tense, scared, or like something bad was going to happen Of those, 24% said they can usually get the help they need for their feelings

• 22% were bullied on school property;

17% were bullied electronically

• 16% seriously considered attempting suicide;

7% said they did attempt in the past year

2019 Youth Risk Behavior Survey of Wisconsin high school students:

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• According to the YRBS, 51% of Wisconsin

students said they’re most likely to seek emotional support from a friend or sibling; 34% would turn to a parent, teacher or

• ther adult; others were not sure
• 2012 study of about 3,000 high schoolers

in New York and North Dakota found that less than a third of students who thought about suicide told an adult or sought help. But just over half did tell a friend.

Students turn to peers for support

Programs include:

• Sources of Strength
• Hope Squad
• NAMI
• Generations Against Bullying
• REDgen
• Honest Open Proud

2015 University of Rochester study found student-led presentations via Sources Of Strength made peers more likely to reach

• ut to adults for mental health support.

Peer-based approaches show success

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Framing matters

Werther/copycat effect: When content is associated with increase in suicide

• Sensationalized, detailed descriptions
• f suicides
• Lack of context for suicidality as a

treatable health issue Papageno effect: When content is associated with decrease in suicide

• Information about causes of suicide,

warning signs and ways to get help

• Stories of those who survived

suicidality and offer hope

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