Results of a new survey among Vermilion County teenagers found a dramatic drop in the use of alcohol and tobacco. But there are continuing or new concerns in other areas, including the fact that one in six youth responding to the survey said they had attempted suicide at least once during the past year.
The information is in the I Sing the Body Electric Youth Risk Behavior Survey, whose results were released by Presence United Samaritans Medical Center.
Dottie McLaughlin, Director of I Sing the Body Electric, outlined what youth feel are their top health concerns. ‘’Since 2002 the two top indicators for our youth have been sexual behavior – which relates to teen pregnancy also – or alcohol use. This year, in 2016, teen pregnancy and sexual behavior rose to number one again. Alcohol use is number two. Drug and tobacco use – 17.1 percent of youth said they considered that the most important health issue, 13.7 percent said body image or obesity (was their number one concern).’’
Georgetown-Ridge Farm High School Principal Kevin Thomas says the survey is about more than just numbers. ‘’The program offers our students in Vermilion County a way to let their voices be heard. And I think that’s a very important part of what we do. The anonymous survey allows for truthful responses with regard to health concerns among teenagers. The data collected is equally as valuable among our staff and what we consider to be a part of our educational programs,’’ said Thomas.
Results of the survey are used by high school students to create art work focusing on the various health risks. And that artwork is shown throughout the year around the county.
Some of the results from the survey taken among over 2,000 Vermilion County teenagers include:
- There has been a more than 40 percent decrease in youth who ride with someone who has been drinking alcohol;
- The number of high school students who had at least one drink of alcohol in the 30 days leading up to the survey decreased 42.5 percent;
- There has been a 28.1 percent decrease in teens who had at least one drink of alcohol in their lives;
- There has been a 31.3 percent decrease in high school students who have ever used methamphetamines;
- And the number of Vermilion County teens who are classified as ‘current’ tobacco users is down 72.8 percent since the first survey in 2002.
There are areas of concern, though including:
- One in six youth taking the survey or 16.7 percent – say they attempted suicide at least once during the past year. The number is nearly double the national average.
- Nearly four out of 10 Vermilion County teens (36.5%) reported feeling sad or hopeless almost every day for two weeks or more, and that they stopped doing some of their usual activities. It is a 30.8 percent increase in that area since 2002.
- Although the number of Vermilion County teenagers using marijuana is down 21-percent since the 2002 survey – there has been a 7.7 percent increase in marijuana usage since 2014.
- Nearly 2 out of 5 youth (37.5%) report being bullied on school property in the previous 12 months.
- A new question on the survey found that one in eight youth (12.5%) are currently using e-cigarettes.
Jared Rogers is President and CEO of Presence United Samaritans Medical Center and Covenant Medical Center. Rogers says ‘’the I Sing the Body Electric program is a terrific example of Presence United Samaritans living its mission outside the four walls of the Medical Center. By collaborating with wonderful community partners, the hospital and this program are making positive differences in the lives of adolescents throughout Vermilion County.’’
