The number of Marblehead High School students suffering from depression and anxiety dipped slightly from 2023 to 2024, according to results of a youth risk behavior study at MHS. However, the study also revealed that 6% of MHS students report using alcohol regularly, compared to 1.5% of high school students statewide. Forty-two percent of MHS students reported ever using alcohol, up from 40%.
“It’s clear that we’re higher than other towns,” said then-School Committee member Sarah Fox. “Let’s, as a town, be aware of it and do our part.”
The survey showed 7% of MHS students started drinking at age 12 or younger.
“We have to do better,” Fox added.
By age 14, that number jumped to 32%.
MHS social worker Gina Hart presented the results of the fourth annual youth risk behavior survey at a June 5 School Committee meeting. More than 700 students at the high school (84%) took the survey last October.
Anxiety and depression
Twenty-one percent of students reported experiencing anxiety, down from 24% the year before. Thirteen percent reported depression, compared to 16% in 2023. Eight percent of MHS students reported experiencing a psychotic experience, down from 11%.
Suicidal thoughts
Eleven percent of students reported having suicidal thoughts, down from 15.9%, while 8.7% had a plan to committ suicide and 1.2% attempted suicide.
Eating disorders
There was a slight improvement in eating and body disorder issues. There was a decrease from 45% to 37% of students who reported “struggling regularly with body images or a negative perception of how they look.”
Discrimination
The survey also asked students who identified as a race other than white about discrimination. Here are a few responses:
- Called racially insulting names: 37.5%
- You were threatened: 16.7%
- Others your age did not include you in activities: 12.5%
- Discouraged from joining an advanced level class: 4.2%
- Discouraged from joining a club: 4.2%
Impaired driving
Two percent of students reported driving under the influence, about the same number since 2022. Three to four percent have driven after using marijuana. More than half reported texting while driving.
What’s next
Hart and Assistant Superintendent of Learning Julia Ferreira spoke about existing programs addressing mental health, including a peer mentor program, a Gender Sexuality Alliance and lunch groups.
The report also recommended next steps, including adding LGBTQIA and racial/social justice programming and educational programs on body image and eating disorders.
‘Let’s act now’
Earlier in the meeting, Village School teacher and Co-President of the Marblehead Education Association Jonathan Heller urged the School Committee to be more proactive to protect students from bullying and support their mental health. He referenced the case of a Peabody 14-year-old boy who recently died by suicide. The boy’s family said bullying played a major role.
“I respectfully ask this committee to make a formal proclamation in support of the mental health and well being of our students,” Heller said. “I urge you to make student mental health a top priority and to work collaboratively with administrators, educators, families and community members to build a strong, sustainable system of support. Let Marblehead Public Schools set the standard for what comprehensive mental health care in schools should look like. I also ask you to take the lead in reaching out to other school committees, both on the North Shore and across the Commonwealth, to build a unified voice and advocate together for the local and state-level resources our students urgently need and deserve.”
Heller asked the School Committee to consider adding more social workers in the schools.
“Let us not wait for another tragedy to remind us of what is at stake,” he said. “Let us act now.”
