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Emotional & Behavioral Health


Depression-Related Feelings, by Gender and Grade Level: 2006-2008 See Source and Notes
(Grade Level: All; Gender: All; Answer: All)

California Percent
Female Male
Grade Level Yes No Yes No
7th Grade 32.0% 68.0% 25.2% 74.8%
9th Grade 38.2% 61.8% 25.1% 74.9%
11th Grade 38.7% 61.3% 26.4% 73.6%
Non-Traditional 49.3% 50.7% 31.2% 68.8%
Alameda County Percent
Female Male
Grade Level Yes No Yes No
7th Grade 30.5% 69.5% 24.4% 75.6%
9th Grade 36.4% 63.6% 25.1% 74.9%
11th Grade 36.3% 63.7% 26.9% 73.1%
Non-Traditional 43.6% 56.4% 29.5% 70.5%
Alpine County Percent
Female Male
Grade Level Yes No Yes No
7th Grade LNE LNE N/A N/A
9th Grade LNE LNE N/A N/A
11th Grade N/A N/A LNE LNE
Non-Traditional LNE LNE LNE LNE
Amador County Percent
Female Male
Grade Level Yes No Yes No
7th Grade 37.3% 62.7% 29.2% 70.8%
9th Grade 40.1% 59.9% 21.1% 78.9%
11th Grade 42.3% 57.7% 18.4% 81.6%
Non-Traditional LNE LNE LNE LNE
Butte County Percent
Female Male
Grade Level Yes No Yes No
7th Grade 31.4% 68.6% 23.1% 76.9%
9th Grade 35.3% 64.7% 24.5% 75.5%
11th Grade 42.1% 57.9% 28.5% 71.5%
Non-Traditional 59.7% 40.3% 37.7% 62.3%
Calaveras County Percent
Female Male
Grade Level Yes No Yes No
7th Grade LNE LNE 20.0% 80.0%
9th Grade 33.8% 66.2% 22.9% 77.1%
11th Grade 47.2% 52.8% 21.3% 78.7%
Non-Traditional 65.7% 34.3% LNE LNE
Colusa County Percent
Female Male
Grade Level Yes No Yes No
7th Grade 34.3% 65.7% 28.8% 71.2%
9th Grade 29.5% 70.5% 30.5% 69.5%
11th Grade 36.5% 63.5% 28.8% 71.2%
Non-Traditional LNE LNE LNE LNE
Contra Costa County Percent
Female Male
Grade Level Yes No Yes No
7th Grade 30.7% 69.3% 23.2% 76.8%
9th Grade 36.9% 63.1% 23.4% 76.6%
11th Grade 39.9% 60.1% 25.4% 74.6%
Non-Traditional 48.1% 51.9% 29.9% 70.1%
Del Norte County Percent
Female Male
Grade Level Yes No Yes No
7th Grade 48.2% 51.8% 28.9% 71.1%
9th Grade 44.5% 55.5% 27.2% 72.8%
11th Grade 45.8% 54.2% 22.4% 77.6%
Non-Traditional LNE LNE LNE LNE
El Dorado County Percent
Female Male
Grade Level Yes No Yes No
7th Grade 23.9% 76.1% 20.1% 79.9%
9th Grade 33.5% 66.5% 21.3% 78.7%
11th Grade 34.3% 65.7% 18.4% 81.6%
Non-Traditional 56.5% 43.5% 32.4% 67.6%
Fresno County Percent
Female Male
Grade Level Yes No Yes No
7th Grade 34.1% 65.9% 24.1% 75.9%
9th Grade 42.6% 57.4% 26.2% 73.8%
11th Grade 39.5% 60.5% 27.4% 72.6%
Non-Traditional 51.2% 48.8% 31.8% 68.2%
Glenn County Percent
Female Male
Grade Level Yes No Yes No
7th Grade 29.5% 70.5% 19.5% 80.5%
9th Grade 44.3% 55.7% 21.7% 78.3%
11th Grade 35.6% 64.4% 23.8% 76.2%
Non-Traditional LNE LNE LNE LNE
Humboldt County Percent
Female Male
Grade Level Yes No Yes No
7th Grade 28.3% 71.7% 24.1% 75.9%
9th Grade 34.6% 65.4% 23.2% 76.8%
11th Grade 39.9% 60.1% 26.8% 73.2%
Non-Traditional 52.4% 47.6% 31.0% 69.0%
Imperial County Percent
Female Male
Grade Level Yes No Yes No
7th Grade 35.2% 64.8% 30.3% 69.7%
9th Grade 39.9% 60.1% 25.9% 74.1%
11th Grade 40.7% 59.3% 29.2% 70.8%
Non-Traditional 42.5% 57.5% 29.1% 70.9%
Inyo County Percent
Female Male
Grade Level Yes No Yes No
7th Grade 24.5% 75.5% 18.2% 81.8%
9th Grade 43.5% 56.5% 31.0% 69.0%
11th Grade 36.1% 63.9% 26.8% 73.2%
Non-Traditional LNE LNE LNE LNE
Kern County Percent
Female Male
Grade Level Yes No Yes No
7th Grade 35.8% 64.2% 26.7% 73.3%
9th Grade 39.5% 60.5% 26.0% 74.0%
11th Grade 43.1% 56.9% 29.8% 70.2%
Non-Traditional 61.4% 38.6% 32.4% 67.6%
Kings County Percent
Female Male
Grade Level Yes No Yes No
7th Grade 32.8% 67.2% 22.1% 77.9%
9th Grade 40.8% 59.2% 25.7% 74.3%
11th Grade 44.5% 55.5% 27.5% 72.5%
Non-Traditional 49.5% 50.5% 32.8% 67.2%
Lake County Percent
Female Male
Grade Level Yes No Yes No
7th Grade 35.1% 64.9% 16.6% 83.4%
9th Grade 47.3% 52.7% 23.4% 76.6%
11th Grade 43.4% 56.6% 22.4% 77.6%
Non-Traditional LNE LNE 44.4% 55.6%
Lassen County Percent
Female Male
Grade Level Yes No Yes No
7th Grade 22.3% 77.7% 21.1% 78.9%
9th Grade 39.6% 60.4% 24.8% 75.2%
11th Grade 36.5% 63.5% 26.1% 73.9%
Non-Traditional LNE LNE LNE LNE
Los Angeles County Percent
Female Male
Grade Level Yes No Yes No
7th Grade 33.4% 66.6% 25.4% 74.6%
9th Grade 39.3% 60.7% 26.8% 73.2%
11th Grade 38.2% 61.8% 27.0% 73.0%
Non-Traditional 44.8% 55.2% 31.0% 69.0%
Madera County Percent
Female Male
Grade Level Yes No Yes No
7th Grade 32.6% 67.4% 23.4% 76.6%
9th Grade 35.7% 64.3% 23.1% 76.9%
11th Grade 35.7% 64.3% 29.4% 70.6%
Non-Traditional 49.6% 50.4% 29.5% 70.5%
Marin County Percent
Female Male
Grade Level Yes No Yes No
7th Grade 24.4% 75.6% 18.1% 81.9%
9th Grade 31.4% 68.6% 22.9% 77.1%
11th Grade 34.3% 65.7% 20.6% 79.4%
Non-Traditional 50.8% 49.2% 17.9% 82.1%
Mariposa County Percent
Female Male
Grade Level Yes No Yes No
7th Grade 38.2% 61.8% 27.6% 72.4%
9th Grade 34.4% 65.6% 27.6% 72.4%
11th Grade 28.4% 71.6% 23.6% 76.4%
Non-Traditional LNE LNE LNE LNE
Mendocino County Percent
Female Male
Grade Level Yes No Yes No
7th Grade 30.5% 69.5% 30.9% 69.1%
9th Grade 40.3% 59.7% 22.8% 77.2%
11th Grade 40.4% 59.6% 29.8% 70.2%
Non-Traditional 47.0% 53.0% 21.1% 78.9%
Merced County Percent
Female Male
Grade Level Yes No Yes No
7th Grade 31.2% 68.8% 27.2% 72.8%
9th Grade 44.2% 55.8% 25.1% 74.9%
11th Grade 39.3% 60.7% 33.9% 66.1%
Non-Traditional 56.2% 43.8% 37.4% 62.6%
Modoc County Percent
Female Male
Grade Level Yes No Yes No
7th Grade LNE LNE LNE LNE
9th Grade LNE LNE LNE LNE
11th Grade LNE LNE LNE LNE
Non-Traditional LNE LNE LNE LNE
Mono County Percent
Female Male
Grade Level Yes No Yes No
7th Grade 26.9% 73.1% 34.9% 65.1%
9th Grade 29.2% 70.8% 17.6% 82.4%
11th Grade 49.8% 50.2% 28.0% 72.0%
Non-Traditional LNE LNE LNE LNE
Monterey County Percent
Female Male
Grade Level Yes No Yes No
7th Grade 36.4% 63.6% 25.9% 74.1%
9th Grade 40.1% 59.9% 24.8% 75.2%
11th Grade 38.1% 61.9% 27.4% 72.6%
Non-Traditional 49.2% 50.8% 31.3% 68.7%
Napa County Percent
Female Male
Grade Level Yes No Yes No
7th Grade 28.7% 71.3% 28.2% 71.8%
9th Grade 38.6% 61.4% 24.2% 75.8%
11th Grade 40.5% 59.5% 28.1% 71.9%
Non-Traditional 63.0% 37.0% 31.3% 68.8%
Nevada County Percent
Female Male
Grade Level Yes No Yes No
7th Grade 19.6% 80.4% 17.6% 82.4%
9th Grade 38.0% 62.0% 28.4% 71.6%
11th Grade 40.4% 59.6% 25.3% 74.7%
Non-Traditional 51.2% 48.8% 34.7% 65.3%
Orange County Percent
Female Male
Grade Level Yes No Yes No
7th Grade 30.1% 69.9% 25.3% 74.7%
9th Grade 35.3% 64.7% 24.2% 75.8%
11th Grade 37.2% 62.8% 26.0% 74.0%
Non-Traditional 49.1% 50.9% 32.8% 67.2%
Placer County Percent
Female Male
Grade Level Yes No Yes No
7th Grade 27.0% 73.0% 20.4% 79.6%
9th Grade 33.6% 66.4% 22.3% 77.7%
11th Grade 36.6% 63.4% 22.5% 77.5%
Non-Traditional 54.0% 46.0% 30.3% 69.7%
Plumas County Percent
Female Male
Grade Level Yes No Yes No
7th Grade 34.6% 65.4% 9.1% 90.9%
9th Grade 49.4% 50.6% 18.2% 81.8%
11th Grade 32.0% 68.0% 31.1% 68.9%
Non-Traditional N/A N/A N/A N/A
Riverside County Percent
Female Male
Grade Level Yes No Yes No
7th Grade 31.4% 68.6% 26.1% 73.9%
9th Grade 39.0% 61.0% 26.3% 73.7%
11th Grade 39.6% 60.4% 27.6% 72.4%
Non-Traditional 51.6% 48.4% 30.6% 69.4%
Sacramento County Percent
Female Male
Grade Level Yes No Yes No
7th Grade 31.1% 68.9% 27.6% 72.4%
9th Grade 39.9% 60.1% 26.0% 74.0%
11th Grade 39.6% 60.4% 26.2% 73.8%
Non-Traditional 46.5% 53.5% 30.2% 69.8%
San Benito County Percent
Female Male
Grade Level Yes No Yes No
7th Grade 25.8% 74.2% 21.1% 78.9%
9th Grade 38.5% 61.5% 27.3% 72.7%
11th Grade 40.5% 59.5% 28.1% 71.9%
Non-Traditional 57.4% 42.6% 21.2% 78.8%
San Bernardino County Percent
Female Male
Grade Level Yes No Yes No
7th Grade 33.9% 66.1% 26.8% 73.2%
9th Grade 37.9% 62.1% 26.6% 73.4%
11th Grade 40.7% 59.3% 28.3% 71.7%
Non-Traditional 49.3% 50.7% 35.2% 64.8%
San Diego County Percent
Female Male
Grade Level Yes No Yes No
7th Grade 33.5% 66.5% 27.5% 72.5%
9th Grade 36.0% 64.0% 21.7% 78.3%
11th Grade 38.6% 61.4% 23.4% 76.6%
Non-Traditional 47.0% 53.0% 30.7% 69.3%
San Francisco County Percent
Female Male
Grade Level Yes No Yes No
7th Grade 26.7% 73.3% 24.0% 76.0%
9th Grade 30.5% 69.5% 24.0% 76.0%
11th Grade 36.0% 64.0% 25.6% 74.4%
Non-Traditional 52.6% 47.4% 30.7% 69.3%
San Joaquin County Percent
Female Male
Grade Level Yes No Yes No
7th Grade 30.9% 69.1% 23.9% 76.1%
9th Grade 41.4% 58.6% 23.2% 76.8%
11th Grade 42.8% 57.2% 26.3% 73.7%
Non-Traditional 58.9% 41.1% 29.3% 70.7%
San Luis Obispo County Percent
Female Male
Grade Level Yes No Yes No
7th Grade 26.4% 73.6% 21.4% 78.6%
9th Grade 35.5% 64.5% 22.2% 77.8%
11th Grade 34.9% 65.1% 28.6% 71.4%
Non-Traditional 51.6% 48.4% 36.5% 63.5%
San Mateo County Percent
Female Male
Grade Level Yes No Yes No
7th Grade 31.6% 68.4% 24.8% 75.2%
9th Grade 34.9% 65.1% 22.4% 77.6%
11th Grade 36.7% 63.3% 26.2% 73.8%
Non-Traditional 53.6% 46.4% 29.3% 70.7%
Santa Barbara County Percent
Female Male
Grade Level Yes No Yes No
7th Grade 28.7% 71.3% 23.4% 76.6%
9th Grade 35.7% 64.3% 19.8% 80.2%
11th Grade 36.3% 63.7% 21.2% 78.8%
Non-Traditional 42.4% 57.6% 17.2% 82.8%
Santa Clara County Percent
Female Male
Grade Level Yes No Yes No
7th Grade 28.7% 71.3% 24.2% 75.8%
9th Grade 35.3% 64.7% 24.5% 75.5%
11th Grade 35.7% 64.3% 25.6% 74.4%
Non-Traditional 46.3% 53.7% 30.3% 69.7%
Santa Cruz County Percent
Female Male
Grade Level Yes No Yes No
7th Grade 31.8% 68.2% 22.8% 77.2%
9th Grade 38.4% 61.6% 19.1% 80.9%
11th Grade 34.5% 65.5% 24.8% 75.2%
Non-Traditional 53.3% 46.7% 24.9% 75.1%
Shasta County Percent
Female Male
Grade Level Yes No Yes No
7th Grade 29.7% 70.3% 23.1% 76.9%
9th Grade 36.6% 63.4% 21.0% 79.0%
11th Grade 42.0% 58.0% 23.3% 76.7%
Non-Traditional 46.1% 53.9% 31.3% 68.7%
Sierra County Percent
Female Male
Grade Level Yes No Yes No
7th Grade LNE LNE LNE LNE
9th Grade LNE LNE LNE LNE
11th Grade LNE LNE LNE LNE
Non-Traditional LNE LNE LNE LNE
Siskiyou County Percent
Female Male
Grade Level Yes No Yes No
7th Grade 26.1% 73.9% 31.5% 68.5%
9th Grade 38.1% 61.9% 21.5% 78.5%
11th Grade 35.5% 64.5% 34.3% 65.7%
Non-Traditional LNE LNE 36.8% 63.2%
Solano County Percent
Female Male
Grade Level Yes No Yes No
7th Grade 34.1% 65.9% 27.4% 72.6%
9th Grade 42.9% 57.1% 25.1% 74.9%
11th Grade 40.2% 59.8% 27.8% 72.2%
Non-Traditional 47.4% 52.6% 28.8% 71.2%
Sonoma County Percent
Female Male
Grade Level Yes No Yes No
7th Grade 23.4% 76.6% 21.6% 78.4%
9th Grade 34.1% 65.9% 22.7% 77.3%
11th Grade 38.6% 61.4% 22.5% 77.5%
Non-Traditional 50.7% 49.3% 26.2% 73.8%
Stanislaus County Percent
Female Male
Grade Level Yes No Yes No
7th Grade 32.6% 67.4% 24.9% 75.1%
9th Grade 43.8% 56.2% 25.1% 74.9%
11th Grade 41.6% 58.4% 26.7% 73.3%
Non-Traditional 54.8% 45.2% 29.7% 70.3%
Sutter County Percent
Female Male
Grade Level Yes No Yes No
7th Grade 37.5% 62.5% 22.4% 77.6%
9th Grade 39.5% 60.5% 22.6% 77.4%
11th Grade 40.9% 59.1% 26.1% 73.9%
Non-Traditional 72.7% 27.3% 41.2% 58.8%
Tehama County Percent
Female Male
Grade Level Yes No Yes No
7th Grade 34.0% 66.0% 29.1% 70.9%
9th Grade 41.7% 58.3% 27.7% 72.3%
11th Grade 42.6% 57.4% 26.2% 73.8%
Non-Traditional 47.5% 52.5% 28.4% 71.6%
Trinity County Percent
Female Male
Grade Level Yes No Yes No
7th Grade N/A N/A N/A N/A
9th Grade N/A N/A N/A N/A
11th Grade N/A N/A N/A N/A
Non-Traditional N/A N/A N/A N/A
Tulare County Percent
Female Male
Grade Level Yes No Yes No
7th Grade 32.9% 67.1% 20.4% 79.6%
9th Grade 41.0% 59.0% 23.5% 76.5%
11th Grade 43.1% 56.9% 27.0% 73.0%
Non-Traditional 56.2% 43.8% 27.8% 72.2%
Tuolumne County Percent
Female Male
Grade Level Yes No Yes No
7th Grade 25.7% 74.3% 16.8% 83.2%
9th Grade 40.1% 59.9% 21.4% 78.6%
11th Grade 39.2% 60.8% 25.9% 74.1%
Non-Traditional LNE LNE LNE LNE
Ventura County Percent
Female Male
Grade Level Yes No Yes No
7th Grade 29.1% 70.9% 24.0% 76.0%
9th Grade 37.1% 62.9% 26.0% 74.0%
11th Grade 39.1% 60.9% 27.4% 72.6%
Non-Traditional 54.1% 45.9% 36.9% 63.1%
Yolo County Percent
Female Male
Grade Level Yes No Yes No
7th Grade 27.2% 72.8% 20.2% 79.8%
9th Grade 39.1% 60.9% 15.5% 84.5%
11th Grade 33.3% 66.7% 21.8% 78.2%
Non-Traditional 47.5% 52.5% 35.8% 64.2%
Yuba County Percent
Female Male
Grade Level Yes No Yes No
7th Grade 40.5% 59.5% 23.2% 76.8%
9th Grade 44.2% 55.8% 23.4% 76.6%
11th Grade 36.8% 63.2% 29.5% 70.5%
Non-Traditional LNE LNE LNE LNE

Definition: Percentage of students in grades 7, 9, and 11 reporting whether in the past 12 months, they had felt so sad or hopeless almost every day for two weeks or more that they stopped doing some usual activities, by gender. "Non-Traditional" students are those enrolled in Community Day Schools or Continuation Education. According to EdSource, nearly 10% of public school students in California are enrolled in these programs.

Data Source: California Department of Education, California Healthy Kids Survey (WestEd). http://www.wested.org/chks

Footnote: N/A indicates that the survey was not administered in that period. LNE indicates that for a specific answer there were fewer than 20 respondents.

Learn More About this Topic

Measures of Emotional & Behavioral Health on Kidsdata.org

Kidsdata.org currently offers a measure of “depression-related feelings,” though this is not a measure of clinical depression. These data come from the California Healthy Kids Survey (CHKS) through a partnership with WestEd, which developed and administers the CHKS, and the California Department of Education. These data represent the percentage of students who reported that in the past 12 months, they had felt so sad or hopeless every day for two weeks or more that they stopped doing some usual activities. This indicator is available by gender and grade level (7th, 9th, and 11th); race/ethnicity; and level of connectedness to school. School connectedness is a summary measure that includes the following elements: being treated fairly, feeling close to people, feeling happy, feeling part of school, and feeling safe at school.

Why This Topic Is Important

Depression can diminish the quality of a young person's life, resulting in fewer friends, less social support, greater stress, and lower academic achievement, and evidence suggests that in adolescence, depression and suicidal behavior are linked (1). Depression also is linked to exacerbation of chronic illnesses such as asthma and diabetes (2). Depression can be difficult to detect in children, as it can manifest differently in young people than in adults. In 2009, 26% of high school students nationally reported depression-related feelings, and about 8% of youth ages 12-17 in 2008 had a major depressive episode during the past year (3).

Sources for narrative:

1. American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. (2004). The Depressed Child. http://www.aacap.org/publications/factsfam/depressd.htm

2. ChildStats.gov, Forum on Child and Family Statistics. (2009). America’s Children: Key National Indicators of Well-Being. http://www.childstats.gov/americaschildren/health4.asp  

3.  Child Trends Data Bank. (2009). Adolescents Who Feel Sad or Hopeless. 
http://www.childtrendsdatabank.org/?q=node/126

Policy Implications

Many primary care providers do not routinely screen youth for mental health issues, and teachers often lack the training or the time to identify emotional/mental health issues and refer students for intervention (1, 5). Among youth who commit suicide, the vast majority have a psychiatric disorder, and most of those youths show symptoms that could be identified by screening (1, 2). Some youth are particularly at risk. Lesbian, gay, and bisexual adolescents attempt suicide at a rate three to six times that of comparably aged heterosexual youth, and are frequently the target of bullying when they do not conform to traditional gender roles (3, 4).

According to research and subject experts, policy options that could promote emotional health and prevent depression and suicide include:

  • Supporting efforts in schools to provide a positive, supportive environment and to offer comprehensive K-12 education for social-emotional development, including interpersonal communication, goal setting, anger management, and advocacy skills, as supported by the National Association of State Boards of Education and the California Education Code (9, 10, 11)
  • Promoting efforts in communities to provide youth with positive experiences, relationships, and opportunities, such as quality after-school programs, which can help youth develop skills to make healthy choices and become caring, responsible adults (8)
  • Ensuring adequate funding and training for a range of school professionals to recognize the signs of depression, self-injury, and suicidal ideation, and to connect students with appropriate services (2, 3, 5, 6), including specific training for meeting the needs of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender youth (3, 4)
  • Encouraging school districts to collaborate with communities and the media to limit publicity and glamorization of youth suicide, to prevent contagion among other vulnerable youth (6)
  • Structuring public health systems and insurance reimbursement policies to require depression screening and encourage regular administration of psychosocial exams to youth (1, 2, 7)
  • Eliminating discriminatory public policies that can contribute to mental health issues among gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender youth (3)

For more policy ideas and information on this topic, see kidsdata.org’s Research & Links section, or visit the Suicide Prevention Resource Center, or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Also see Policy Implications on kidsdata.org under School Safety; Bullying/Harassment at School; School Connectedness; Pupil Support Service Personnel; Alcohol, Tobacco & Other Drugs; and Child Abuse & Foster Care.

Sources for this narrative:

  1. TeenScreen National Center for Mental Health Checkups at Columbia University. (2009). Adolescent Mental Health Checkups: Recommendations to Realizations. http://www.teenscreen.org/images/stories/PDF/Event%20Report.pdf
  2. TeenScreen National Center for Mental Health Checkups at Columbia University. (n.d.) Youth Suicide and Prevention. http://www.teenscreen.org/images/stories/PDF/YouthSuicideandPrevention.pdf
  3. Haas et al. (2010). Suicide and Suicide Risk in Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Populations: Review and Recommendations, Journal of Homosexuality. http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/00918369.2011.534038
  4. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2011). Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Health: Youth. http://www.cdc.gov/lgbthealth/youth.htm
  5. Suicide Prevention Resource Center. (2010). The Role of Teachers in Preventing Suicide. http://www.sprc.org/featured_resources/customized/teachers.asp#role
  6. Mann et al. (2005). Suicide Prevention Strategies: A Systemic Review, JAMA. http://dhmh.maryland.gov/suicideprevention/Suicide%20prevention%20strategies-systematic%20review.pdf
  7. Goldenring, J. and Rosen, D. (2004). Getting into adolescent heads: An essential update, Contemporary Pediatrics. http://www.aap.org/pubserv/PSVpreview/pages/Files/HEADSS.pdf
  8. Search Institute. (n.d.) Developmental Assets Research. http://www.search-institute.org/research/assets
  9. California Education Code Section 51890, http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/cgi-bin/displaycode?section=edc&group=51001-52000&file=51890-51891
  10. National Association of State Boards of Education. (2010). National Guidelines: Health, Mental Health and Safety Guidelines for Schools. http://www.nationalguidelines.org/guideline.cfm?guideNum=2-07
  11. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2009). School Connectedness: Strategies for Increasing Protective Factors Among Youth. http://www.cdc.gov/HealthyYouth/adolescenthealth/pdf/connectedness.pdf

How Children Are Faring

During 2006-08, California’s female students in grades 7, 9, and 11 were more likely than their male peers to say they had been so sad or hopeless every day for at least two weeks that they stopped doing some usual activities. Non-traditional students – that is, those enrolled in Community Day Schools or Continuation Education – were most likely to report these depression-related feelings (49% of girls and 31% of boys in these programs). From the 2003-05 period to 2006-08, the percentage of students reporting feelings of depression decreased among 11th-grade and non-traditional students and increased slightly for 7th graders; there was no clear trend among 9th graders.

Students who are highly connected to their schools are much less likely to report persistent sadness or hopelessness than students with low levels of connectedness to school (23% compared to 45% in 2006-08). Among racial/ethnic groups, Caucasian/White and Asian American students were least likely to report feelings of depression (29% and 30%, respectively), while Pacific Islander and Native American students were most likely to do so (37% and 36%, respectively).

Research and Links

Websites with Related Information

Key Reports

County/Regional Reports