Survey Gives Insight Into Mental Health At Dedham Schools

DEDHAM, MA — For the first time, Dedham has access to mental health data provided by the MetroWest Adolescent Health Survey.

Revealed late last month, the survey shows the state of mental health at Dedham High and Middle Schools. While the school district is not served by the MetroWest Health Foundation, Dedham was granted access to the survey at their request and is the first non-member district to participate.

"The survey, administered by Education Development Center, Inc. (EDC) collects self-reported data on high-priority health and risk behaviors, including substance use, bullying, mental health, violence, sexual behavior, and physical activity for students in grades 6-12. It also captures data on emerging and evolving behaviors in the adolescent population, such as cyberbullying, sexting, prescription drug misuse (including opioids), and use of electronic cigarettes," Superintendent Michael Welch wrote in his monthly update to parents.

About 91 percent of middle school students and 89 percent of middle students participated in the survey.

The results show that more women at Dedham High School and Middle School are struggling with mental health than men. At the high school, nearly 50 percent of women agreed that life has been very stressful over the past 30 days. Under 20 percent of men agreed with that statement. Just under 30 percent of women said they have experienced depressive symptoms over the past 12 months, over 20 percent have inflicted themselves with a self-injury over the past 12 months, and 10 percent attempted suicide in the past year. During the same time periods, about 25 percent of men experienced depressive symptoms, less than 10 percent inflicted themselves with a self-injury, and about 5 percent attempted suicide.

The figures were much lower at the middle school where about 20 percent of girls said life had been very stressful over the past 30 days, over 15 percent experienced depressive symptoms in the past 12 months, just over 10 percent inflicted self-injury in the past 12 months, and about five percent attempted suicide at least once in their life. About 10 percent of boys who replied to the survey said life been very stressful over the past 30 days, less than 10 percent experienced depressive symptoms in the past 12 months and few said they inflicted self-injury in the past 12 months or attempted suicide at least once in their life

In response to any mental health issue, the school district said they are doing a few things including providing therapeutic support, straightening clinical collaboration, and increasing parent awareness of mential health support.

Below is the full presentation:

MWAHS 10-26-17 Presentation Slides by DanLibon on Scribd

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