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Did you know 70% of deaths among CT youth ages 15 - 19 are preventable? According to the CT Department of Public Health, 25% of deaths are caused by car accidents, nearly 17% are suicides, 14% are homicides and nearly 15% are unintentional injuries (overdoses, accidents, etc.). Mental health and substance use can play a role in any of these causes. We want to provide you with the facts and practical things you can do to help teens in your life, even if they aren’t your own child.
What the Data Shows
Every year, the state conducts a school health survey among high school students. The results from the last survey showed 70% of students reported their mental health was “not good” in the last month. One-third of students felt sad or hopeless for two weeks or more, but only 25% of those who felt that way get help. When asked about self-injury and thoughts of suicide, in a classroom of 30, 15.4% or 4-5 students purposely hurt themselves without wanting to die and 12.7% or four students seriously considered suicide. Two students out of 30 or 6.7% attempted suicide.
When it comes to substance use, vaping is a major concern in the high school population. In a classroom of 30, nearly half (44.8% or 13 students) have ever tried e-cigarettes or vaping, while 27% or 8 students have reported vaping in the past month. The use of vaping products in this population has increased from 2.4% in 2011 to 27% in 2019. Half of the students who have used tobacco products reported that the first product they ever tried was a vape.
But there is good news! We can all make a difference in a teen's life, even if we aren't parents. Read our blog for 8 ways to connect with and support teens.
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