Mental Health
Even before the pandemic, many kids in Westport were struggling with their depression, anxiety, trauma, suicidal ideation. In fact according to Mental Health America (MHA) in their 2023 State of Mental Health:
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59.8% of youth with major depression do not receive any mental health treatment. Asian youth with major depression were least likely to receive specialty mental health care, with 78% reporting they did not receive mental health services in the past year.
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Nationally, only 28% of youth with severe depression receive some consistent treatment (7-25+ visits in a year). Most (57.3%) youth with severe depression do not receive any care.
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Nationally, 1 in 10 youth who are covered under private insurance do not have coverage for mental or emotional difficulties – totaling over 1.2 million youth.
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Only .718 percent of students are identified with emotional disturbance for an individualized education program (IEP). IEPs, with sufficient resources for schools and teachers, are critical for ensuring that youth with disabilities can receive the individualized services, supports, and accommodations to succeed in a school setting.
Have You Seen Our Postcards?
This campaign was funded through the Department of Mental Health & Addiction Services Local Prevention Grant
Help kids find healthier alternatives through resources like:
What Do We Know?
Are all Westport kids drinking?
No! The good news is that the majority (75%) of Westport kids in Grades 7-12 are NOT drinking. But our 2021 Westport youth survey found that:
●25% of all 7th-12th students drank in the past month ●9% of MS students
●33% of HS students (higher than 2019 CT state average)
●60% of seniors drank in the past month
In our 2021 survey, drinking rates may have been impacted by the COVID pandemic and a more isolated environment (ex. fewer house parties). We hope to re-survey in Spring of 2024 -- stay tuned for new data!
Are all Westport kids drinking?
No! The good news is that the majority (75%) of Westport kids in Grades 7-12 are NOT drinking. But our 2021 Westport youth survey found that:
●25% of all 7th-12th students drank in the past month ●9% of MS students
●33% of HS students (higher than 2019 CT state average)
●60% of seniors drank in the past month
In our 2021 survey, drinking rates may have been impacted by the COVID pandemic and a more isolated environment (ex. fewer house parties). We hope to re-survey in Spring of 2024 -- stay tuned for new data!
What Can We Do?
Have The Conversations & Help Reduce The Stigma
Learn Some Strategies
Former Westport Human Services Social Worker, Deirdre Ekholdt, LCSW shared some breathing techniques with us to help manage stress and anxiety.
According to experts: There are many mental wellness benefits associated with being outside in green spaces, such as lower risk of depression and faster psychological stress recovery. Studies have shown that being in nature can restore and strengthen our mental capacities, increasing focus and attention.
According to the American Psychological Association, "From a stroll through a city park to a day spent hiking in the wilderness, exposure to nature has been linked to a host of benefits, including improved attention, lower stress, better mood, reduced risk of psychiatric disorders and even upticks in empathy and cooperation."
Past Programs
Resources Mentioned in the Presentation
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