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Emotional Health


Depression-Related Feelings, by Race/Ethnicity: 2008-2010 See Source and Notes
(Race/Ethnicity: All; Answer: All)

California Percent
Race/Ethnicity Yes No
African American/Black 28.8% 71.2%
American Indian/Alaska Native 31.6% 68.4%
Asian 27.8% 72.2%
Hispanic/Latino 31.4% 68.6%
Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander 34.0% 66.0%
White 27.2% 72.8%
Multiethnic 34.2% 65.8%
Other 30.1% 69.9%
Alameda County Percent
Race/Ethnicity Yes No
African American/Black 28.0% 72.0%
American Indian/Alaska Native 35.3% 64.7%
Asian 25.7% 74.3%
Hispanic/Latino 29.3% 70.7%
Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander 33.1% 66.9%
White 25.7% 74.3%
Multiethnic 32.5% 67.5%
Other 29.6% 70.4%
Alpine County Percent
Race/Ethnicity Yes No
African American/Black N/A N/A
American Indian/Alaska Native LNE LNE
Asian N/A N/A
Hispanic/Latino N/A N/A
Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander N/A N/A
White LNE LNE
Multiethnic LNE LNE
Other N/A N/A
Amador County Percent
Race/Ethnicity Yes No
African American/Black LNE LNE
American Indian/Alaska Native LNE LNE
Asian LNE LNE
Hispanic/Latino 24.3% 75.7%
Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander LNE LNE
White 32.6% 67.4%
Multiethnic 37.8% 62.2%
Other 44.6% 55.4%
Butte County Percent
Race/Ethnicity Yes No
African American/Black 27.5% 72.5%
American Indian/Alaska Native 30.4% 69.6%
Asian 33.3% 66.7%
Hispanic/Latino 28.1% 71.9%
Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander 28.5% 71.5%
White 28.2% 71.8%
Multiethnic 36.8% 63.2%
Other 24.9% 75.1%
Calaveras County Percent
Race/Ethnicity Yes No
African American/Black LNE LNE
American Indian/Alaska Native 22.1% 77.9%
Asian LNE LNE
Hispanic/Latino 27.4% 72.6%
Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander LNE LNE
White 28.0% 72.0%
Multiethnic 39.3% 60.7%
Other 37.6% 62.4%
Colusa County Percent
Race/Ethnicity Yes No
African American/Black LNE LNE
American Indian/Alaska Native LNE LNE
Asian LNE LNE
Hispanic/Latino 29.6% 70.4%
Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander LNE LNE
White 34.1% 65.9%
Multiethnic 26.9% 73.1%
Other 19.9% 80.1%
Contra Costa County Percent
Race/Ethnicity Yes No
African American/Black 29.3% 70.7%
American Indian/Alaska Native 31.3% 68.7%
Asian 27.4% 72.6%
Hispanic/Latino 31.5% 68.5%
Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander 31.1% 68.9%
White 26.0% 74.0%
Multiethnic 33.6% 66.4%
Other 30.3% 69.7%
Del Norte County Percent
Race/Ethnicity Yes No
African American/Black LNE LNE
American Indian/Alaska Native 25.0% 75.0%
Asian 25.8% 74.2%
Hispanic/Latino 34.3% 65.7%
Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander LNE LNE
White 34.7% 65.3%
Multiethnic 42.6% 57.4%
Other 40.6% 59.4%
El Dorado County Percent
Race/Ethnicity Yes No
African American/Black 28.3% 71.7%
American Indian/Alaska Native 22.8% 77.2%
Asian 24.1% 75.9%
Hispanic/Latino 34.7% 65.3%
Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander 31.8% 68.2%
White 27.6% 72.4%
Multiethnic 31.4% 68.6%
Other 29.4% 70.6%
Fresno County Percent
Race/Ethnicity Yes No
African American/Black 26.5% 73.5%
American Indian/Alaska Native 29.2% 70.8%
Asian 34.8% 65.2%
Hispanic/Latino 32.7% 67.3%
Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander 46.5% 53.5%
White 30.1% 69.9%
Multiethnic 38.3% 61.7%
Other 31.1% 68.9%
Glenn County Percent
Race/Ethnicity Yes No
African American/Black LNE LNE
American Indian/Alaska Native LNE LNE
Asian 28.1% 71.9%
Hispanic/Latino 30.1% 69.9%
Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander LNE LNE
White 27.2% 72.8%
Multiethnic 30.5% 69.5%
Other LNE LNE
Humboldt County Percent
Race/Ethnicity Yes No
African American/Black 25.7% 74.3%
American Indian/Alaska Native 35.7% 64.3%
Asian 28.5% 71.5%
Hispanic/Latino 28.3% 71.7%
Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander LNE LNE
White 26.3% 73.7%
Multiethnic 34.7% 65.3%
Other 29.1% 70.9%
Imperial County Percent
Race/Ethnicity Yes No
African American/Black 33.2% 66.8%
American Indian/Alaska Native 26.9% 73.1%
Asian 23.3% 76.7%
Hispanic/Latino 32.2% 67.8%
Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander LNE LNE
White 27.8% 72.2%
Multiethnic 38.4% 61.6%
Other 29.9% 70.1%
Inyo County Percent
Race/Ethnicity Yes No
African American/Black LNE LNE
American Indian/Alaska Native 44.0% 56.0%
Asian LNE LNE
Hispanic/Latino 34.4% 65.6%
Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander LNE LNE
White 28.1% 71.9%
Multiethnic 41.5% 58.5%
Other 29.9% 70.1%
Kern County Percent
Race/Ethnicity Yes No
African American/Black 27.3% 72.7%
American Indian/Alaska Native 35.5% 64.5%
Asian 27.2% 72.8%
Hispanic/Latino 30.8% 69.2%
Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander 37.7% 62.3%
White 31.1% 68.9%
Multiethnic 37.1% 62.9%
Other 28.9% 71.1%
Kings County Percent
Race/Ethnicity Yes No
African American/Black 30.3% 69.7%
American Indian/Alaska Native 21.9% 78.1%
Asian 35.1% 64.9%
Hispanic/Latino 33.1% 66.9%
Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander 36.9% 63.1%
White 31.5% 68.5%
Multiethnic 36.5% 63.5%
Other 33.2% 66.8%
Lake County Percent
Race/Ethnicity Yes No
African American/Black 15.7% 84.3%
American Indian/Alaska Native 45.5% 54.5%
Asian LNE LNE
Hispanic/Latino 33.9% 66.1%
Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander LNE LNE
White 35.1% 64.9%
Multiethnic 38.7% 61.3%
Other 39.4% 60.6%
Lassen County Percent
Race/Ethnicity Yes No
African American/Black LNE LNE
American Indian/Alaska Native LNE LNE
Asian N/A N/A
Hispanic/Latino LNE LNE
Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander LNE LNE
White 22.4% 77.6%
Multiethnic 40.9% 59.1%
Other LNE LNE
Los Angeles County Percent
Race/Ethnicity Yes No
African American/Black 29.2% 70.8%
American Indian/Alaska Native 31.2% 68.8%
Asian 26.9% 73.1%
Hispanic/Latino 31.5% 68.5%
Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander 34.5% 65.5%
White 26.7% 73.3%
Multiethnic 33.3% 66.7%
Other 30.1% 69.9%
Madera County Percent
Race/Ethnicity Yes No
African American/Black 25.6% 74.4%
American Indian/Alaska Native 32.0% 68.0%
Asian 41.3% 58.7%
Hispanic/Latino 29.3% 70.7%
Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander LNE LNE
White 34.3% 65.7%
Multiethnic 32.1% 67.9%
Other 29.5% 70.5%
Marin County Percent
Race/Ethnicity Yes No
African American/Black 28.4% 71.6%
American Indian/Alaska Native 33.2% 66.8%
Asian 23.3% 76.7%
Hispanic/Latino 32.9% 67.1%
Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander 34.2% 65.8%
White 22.0% 78.0%
Multiethnic 30.0% 70.0%
Other 30.0% 70.0%
Mariposa County Percent
Race/Ethnicity Yes No
African American/Black LNE LNE
American Indian/Alaska Native LNE LNE
Asian N/A N/A
Hispanic/Latino LNE LNE
Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander LNE LNE
White 29.8% 70.2%
Multiethnic 53.9% 46.1%
Other 44.4% 55.6%
Mendocino County Percent
Race/Ethnicity Yes No
African American/Black 15.4% 84.6%
American Indian/Alaska Native 30.9% 69.1%
Asian 35.9% 64.1%
Hispanic/Latino 30.2% 69.8%
Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander LNE LNE
White 29.8% 70.2%
Multiethnic 40.0% 60.0%
Other 36.0% 64.0%
Merced County Percent
Race/Ethnicity Yes No
African American/Black 30.5% 69.5%
American Indian/Alaska Native 30.3% 69.7%
Asian 35.7% 64.3%
Hispanic/Latino 32.5% 67.5%
Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander 21.5% 78.5%
White 28.7% 71.3%
Multiethnic 37.8% 62.2%
Other 31.5% 68.5%
Modoc County Percent
Race/Ethnicity Yes No
African American/Black LNE LNE
American Indian/Alaska Native LNE LNE
Asian LNE LNE
Hispanic/Latino LNE LNE
Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander LNE LNE
White 33.5% 66.5%
Multiethnic LNE LNE
Other LNE LNE
Mono County Percent
Race/Ethnicity Yes No
African American/Black LNE LNE
American Indian/Alaska Native LNE LNE
Asian LNE LNE
Hispanic/Latino 31.3% 68.7%
Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander LNE LNE
White 30.6% 69.4%
Multiethnic 34.6% 65.4%
Other LNE LNE
Monterey County Percent
Race/Ethnicity Yes No
African American/Black 28.5% 71.5%
American Indian/Alaska Native 40.3% 59.7%
Asian 33.6% 66.4%
Hispanic/Latino 31.6% 68.4%
Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander 36.4% 63.6%
White 29.7% 70.3%
Multiethnic 32.1% 67.9%
Other 31.7% 68.3%
Napa County Percent
Race/Ethnicity Yes No
African American/Black 25.7% 74.3%
American Indian/Alaska Native 31.6% 68.4%
Asian 38.4% 61.6%
Hispanic/Latino 28.1% 71.9%
Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander 34.5% 65.5%
White 24.8% 75.2%
Multiethnic 34.7% 65.3%
Other 25.0% 75.0%
Nevada County Percent
Race/Ethnicity Yes No
African American/Black LNE LNE
American Indian/Alaska Native 33.2% 66.8%
Asian 37.9% 62.1%
Hispanic/Latino 31.2% 68.8%
Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander LNE LNE
White 25.4% 74.6%
Multiethnic 34.2% 65.8%
Other 29.4% 70.6%
Orange County Percent
Race/Ethnicity Yes No
African American/Black 31.3% 68.7%
American Indian/Alaska Native 33.7% 66.3%
Asian 26.9% 73.1%
Hispanic/Latino 30.7% 69.3%
Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander 32.4% 67.6%
White 24.9% 75.1%
Multiethnic 30.8% 69.2%
Other 29.9% 70.1%
Placer County Percent
Race/Ethnicity Yes No
African American/Black 23.7% 76.3%
American Indian/Alaska Native 29.6% 70.4%
Asian 23.6% 76.4%
Hispanic/Latino 29.7% 70.3%
Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander 47.1% 52.9%
White 25.6% 74.4%
Multiethnic 28.9% 71.1%
Other 22.3% 77.7%
Plumas County Percent
Race/Ethnicity Yes No
African American/Black LNE LNE
American Indian/Alaska Native LNE LNE
Asian LNE LNE
Hispanic/Latino 31.7% 68.3%
Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander LNE LNE
White 30.0% 70.0%
Multiethnic 30.9% 69.1%
Other LNE LNE
Riverside County Percent
Race/Ethnicity Yes No
African American/Black 28.7% 71.3%
American Indian/Alaska Native 25.9% 74.1%
Asian 29.7% 70.3%
Hispanic/Latino 30.0% 70.0%
Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander 33.6% 66.4%
White 29.2% 70.8%
Multiethnic 35.7% 64.3%
Other 30.9% 69.1%
Sacramento County Percent
Race/Ethnicity Yes No
African American/Black 28.8% 71.2%
American Indian/Alaska Native 38.2% 61.8%
Asian 31.2% 68.8%
Hispanic/Latino 32.0% 68.0%
Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander 31.6% 68.4%
White 28.2% 71.8%
Multiethnic 37.5% 62.5%
Other 29.6% 70.4%
San Benito County Percent
Race/Ethnicity Yes No
African American/Black 22.5% 77.5%
American Indian/Alaska Native LNE LNE
Asian 27.8% 72.2%
Hispanic/Latino 29.4% 70.6%
Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander LNE LNE
White 27.9% 72.1%
Multiethnic 36.3% 63.7%
Other 25.7% 74.3%
San Bernardino County Percent
Race/Ethnicity Yes No
African American/Black 27.6% 72.4%
American Indian/Alaska Native 35.3% 64.7%
Asian 32.2% 67.8%
Hispanic/Latino 33.3% 66.7%
Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander 35.3% 64.7%
White 30.6% 69.4%
Multiethnic 36.2% 63.8%
Other 32.4% 67.6%
San Diego County Percent
Race/Ethnicity Yes No
African American/Black 28.3% 71.7%
American Indian/Alaska Native 31.6% 68.4%
Asian 29.6% 70.4%
Hispanic/Latino 30.4% 69.6%
Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander 34.0% 66.0%
White 25.3% 74.7%
Multiethnic 32.8% 67.2%
Other 30.8% 69.2%
San Francisco County Percent
Race/Ethnicity Yes No
African American/Black 25.1% 74.9%
American Indian/Alaska Native LNE LNE
Asian 23.7% 76.3%
Hispanic/Latino 34.1% 65.9%
Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander 31.6% 68.4%
White 27.1% 72.9%
Multiethnic 29.7% 70.3%
Other 29.6% 70.4%
San Joaquin County Percent
Race/Ethnicity Yes No
African American/Black 30.9% 69.1%
American Indian/Alaska Native 30.5% 69.5%
Asian 35.3% 64.7%
Hispanic/Latino 33.1% 66.9%
Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander 39.9% 60.1%
White 30.0% 70.0%
Multiethnic 38.7% 61.3%
Other 29.9% 70.1%
San Luis Obispo County Percent
Race/Ethnicity Yes No
African American/Black 20.4% 79.6%
American Indian/Alaska Native 31.4% 68.6%
Asian 21.6% 78.4%
Hispanic/Latino 31.2% 68.8%
Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander 28.9% 71.1%
White 25.6% 74.4%
Multiethnic 29.8% 70.2%
Other 28.8% 71.2%
San Mateo County Percent
Race/Ethnicity Yes No
African American/Black 26.9% 73.1%
American Indian/Alaska Native 26.1% 73.9%
Asian 25.5% 74.5%
Hispanic/Latino 30.5% 69.5%
Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander 34.2% 65.8%
White 23.5% 76.5%
Multiethnic 32.8% 67.2%
Other 28.6% 71.4%
Santa Barbara County Percent
Race/Ethnicity Yes No
African American/Black 31.8% 68.2%
American Indian/Alaska Native 25.1% 74.9%
Asian 31.0% 69.0%
Hispanic/Latino 31.5% 68.5%
Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander 34.9% 65.1%
White 24.2% 75.8%
Multiethnic 30.6% 69.4%
Other 27.3% 72.7%
Santa Clara County Percent
Race/Ethnicity Yes No
African American/Black 28.5% 71.5%
American Indian/Alaska Native 25.2% 74.8%
Asian 25.6% 74.4%
Hispanic/Latino 30.6% 69.4%
Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander 33.0% 67.0%
White 24.1% 75.9%
Multiethnic 31.5% 68.5%
Other 25.9% 74.1%
Santa Cruz County Percent
Race/Ethnicity Yes No
African American/Black 33.0% 67.0%
American Indian/Alaska Native 39.1% 60.9%
Asian 26.4% 73.6%
Hispanic/Latino 33.0% 67.0%
Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander 24.1% 75.9%
White 22.7% 77.3%
Multiethnic 35.5% 64.5%
Other 32.6% 67.4%
Shasta County Percent
Race/Ethnicity Yes No
African American/Black 31.8% 68.2%
American Indian/Alaska Native 37.2% 62.8%
Asian 34.5% 65.5%
Hispanic/Latino 30.9% 69.1%
Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander LNE LNE
White 30.6% 69.4%
Multiethnic 37.4% 62.6%
Other 31.6% 68.4%
Sierra County Percent
Race/Ethnicity Yes No
African American/Black LNE LNE
American Indian/Alaska Native LNE LNE
Asian LNE LNE
Hispanic/Latino LNE LNE
Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander LNE LNE
White 29.6% 70.4%
Multiethnic LNE LNE
Other LNE LNE
Siskiyou County Percent
Race/Ethnicity Yes No
African American/Black LNE LNE
American Indian/Alaska Native 36.3% 63.7%
Asian LNE LNE
Hispanic/Latino 26.7% 73.3%
Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander LNE LNE
White 29.6% 70.4%
Multiethnic 37.0% 63.0%
Other 27.4% 72.6%
Solano County Percent
Race/Ethnicity Yes No
African American/Black 25.1% 74.9%
American Indian/Alaska Native 22.2% 77.8%
Asian 34.1% 65.9%
Hispanic/Latino 31.0% 69.0%
Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander 33.0% 67.0%
White 28.7% 71.3%
Multiethnic 36.0% 64.0%
Other 31.3% 68.7%
Sonoma County Percent
Race/Ethnicity Yes No
African American/Black 27.0% 73.0%
American Indian/Alaska Native 26.5% 73.5%
Asian 23.8% 76.2%
Hispanic/Latino 28.9% 71.1%
Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander 36.4% 63.6%
White 24.9% 75.1%
Multiethnic 34.9% 65.1%
Other 27.1% 72.9%
Stanislaus County Percent
Race/Ethnicity Yes No
African American/Black 34.7% 65.3%
American Indian/Alaska Native 34.2% 65.8%
Asian 33.5% 66.5%
Hispanic/Latino 33.2% 66.8%
Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander 41.9% 58.1%
White 31.4% 68.6%
Multiethnic 37.3% 62.7%
Other 30.0% 70.0%
Sutter County Percent
Race/Ethnicity Yes No
African American/Black 29.2% 70.8%
American Indian/Alaska Native 14.4% 85.6%
Asian 29.0% 71.0%
Hispanic/Latino 31.6% 68.4%
Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander LNE LNE
White 34.3% 65.7%
Multiethnic 29.5% 70.5%
Other 28.1% 71.9%
Tehama County Percent
Race/Ethnicity Yes No
African American/Black LNE LNE
American Indian/Alaska Native 22.8% 77.2%
Asian LNE LNE
Hispanic/Latino 28.5% 71.5%
Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander LNE LNE
White 28.9% 71.1%
Multiethnic 33.6% 66.4%
Other 31.5% 68.5%
Trinity County Percent
Race/Ethnicity Yes No
African American/Black LNE LNE
American Indian/Alaska Native LNE LNE
Asian LNE LNE
Hispanic/Latino LNE LNE
Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander LNE LNE
White 33.8% 66.2%
Multiethnic 49.2% 50.8%
Other LNE LNE
Tulare County Percent
Race/Ethnicity Yes No
African American/Black 35.4% 64.6%
American Indian/Alaska Native 31.0% 69.0%
Asian 29.5% 70.5%
Hispanic/Latino 32.2% 67.8%
Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander 30.8% 69.2%
White 32.1% 67.9%
Multiethnic 36.0% 64.0%
Other 31.2% 68.8%
Tuolumne County Percent
Race/Ethnicity Yes No
African American/Black LNE LNE
American Indian/Alaska Native 22.9% 77.1%
Asian LNE LNE
Hispanic/Latino 25.0% 75.0%
Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander LNE LNE
White 30.8% 69.2%
Multiethnic 40.6% 59.4%
Other 30.7% 69.3%
Ventura County Percent
Race/Ethnicity Yes No
African American/Black 35.0% 65.0%
American Indian/Alaska Native 30.3% 69.7%
Asian 25.6% 74.4%
Hispanic/Latino 32.7% 67.3%
Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander 34.6% 65.4%
White 26.2% 73.8%
Multiethnic 32.7% 67.3%
Other 30.4% 69.6%
Yolo County Percent
Race/Ethnicity Yes No
African American/Black 36.7% 63.3%
American Indian/Alaska Native 39.0% 61.0%
Asian 26.7% 73.3%
Hispanic/Latino 31.0% 69.0%
Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander 37.3% 62.7%
White 27.4% 72.6%
Multiethnic 35.5% 64.5%
Other 35.5% 64.5%
Yuba County Percent
Race/Ethnicity Yes No
African American/Black 29.0% 71.0%
American Indian/Alaska Native 29.9% 70.1%
Asian 36.0% 64.0%
Hispanic/Latino 34.0% 66.0%
Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander LNE LNE
White 32.8% 67.2%
Multiethnic 38.0% 62.0%
Other 35.6% 64.4%

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 race/ethnicity. The grade levels included in school district-level data depend on the grades offered in each school district; for example, high school districts do not include 7th grade data. 

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

Footnote: Data are presented in periods of two school years combined (e.g., 2008-2010 reflects data from school years 2008-2009 and 2009-2010). N/A indicates that the survey was not administered in that period or that data are not available for that group. LNE indicates that for a specific answer there were fewer than 20 respondents.

Learn More About this Topic

Measures of Emotional Health on Kidsdata.org

Kidsdata.org offers a measure of “depression-related feelings,” which refers to student reports of whether, in the past 12 months, they felt so sad or hopeless every day for two weeks or more that they stopped doing some usual activities. This is one indicator of depression, though it is not a measure of clinical depression.

In addition, kidsdata.org provides the number and rate of hospitalizations for mental health issues per 1,000 children and youth ages 5-19, by age group.

The data on depression-related feelings 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. Data are available by grade level (7th, 9th, and 11th, and non-traditional students); gender and grade level; race/ethnicity; and level of connectedness to school. School connectedness is a summary measure that includes student reports of the following elements: being treated fairly, feeling close to people, feeling happy, feeling part of school, and feeling safe at school.

"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.

Why This Topic Is Important

Emotional health includes self-confidence, the ability to form and maintain caring relationships, coping skills, optimism, and the ability to make positive choices. Sound emotional health, which is more than the absence of mental disorders, is critical to equipping young people for the challenges of growing up and living as healthy adults (1).

Depression is one of the most common emotional health problems among teens, estimated to affect 15-20% of youth under 18 in the U.S. (2). In 2011, almost 30% of high school students nationwide reported persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness – one indicator of depression (3). Youth diagnosed with depression often experience significant impairment in peer, family, school, and physical functioning (2, 4). Depressed teens also have higher rates of other emotional and behavioral health problems, such as anxiety, drug use, aggressiveness, and suicidal behavior; and they are more likely to experience depression and other psychological problems as adults (2, 4). In addition, rates of serious chronic diseases, such as diabetes and heart disease, are higher among individuals with depressive symptoms (5). Depression can be especially difficult to detect in children, as it can manifest differently in young people than in adults (4).

Sources for this narrative:

  1. American Psychological Association. (2012). Emotional health. Retrieved from: http://www.apa.org/topics/emotion/index.aspx
  2. Jaycox, L. H., et al. (2009). Impact of teen depression on academic, social, and physical functioning. Pediatrics, 124(4), e569-e605. Retrieved from: http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/124/4/e596.full.pdf+html?sid=a7050435-b8ce-45e7-a73e-8cdd78d4ed3e
  3. Child Trends Data Bank. (2012). Adolescents who feel sad or hopeless. Retrieved from: http://www.childtrendsdatabank.org/?q=node/126
  4. Brent, D. A., & Birmaher, B. (2002). Adolescent depression. New England Journal of Medicine, 347, 667-671.
  5. Katon, W. J. (2003). Clinical and health services relationships between major depression, depressive symptoms, and general medical illness. Biological Psychiatry, 54(3), 216-226.

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). According to research and subject experts, policy options that could promote emotional health and prevent depression 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)
  • Structuring public health systems and insurance reimbursement policies to require depression screening and encourage regular administration of psychosocial exams to youth (1, 2, 7)

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 the Policy Implications sections in the following kidsdata.org topics: School Safety, Bullying/Harassment at School, School Connectedness, Pupil Support Service Personnel, Alcohol, Tobacco & Other Drugs, Child Abuse, and 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. Retrieved from: 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. Retrieved from: http://www.teenscreen.org/images/stories/PDF/YouthSuicideandPrevention.pdf
  3. Haas, A. P., et al. (2010). Suicide and suicide risk in lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender populations: Review and recommendations. Journal of Homosexuality, 58(1), 10-51. Retrieved from: 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. Retrieved from: http://www.cdc.gov/lgbthealth/youth.htm
  5. Suicide Prevention Resource Center. (2010). The role of teachers in preventing suicide. Retrieved from: http://www.sprc.org/featured_resources/customized/teachers.asp#role
  6. Mann, J. J., et al. (2005). Suicide prevention strategies: A systemic review. JAMA, 294(16), 2064-2074. Retrieved from: http://jama.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?articleid=201761
  7. Goldenring, J. M., & Rosen, D. S. (2004). Getting into adolescent heads: An essential update. Contemporary Pediatrics, 21(1), 76. Retrieved from: http://www.aap.org/pubserv/PSVpreview/pages/Files/HEADSS.pdf
  8. Search Institute. (n.d.) Developmental Assets Research. Retrieved from: http://www.search-institute.org/research/assets
  9. California Education Code Section 51890. Retrieved from: 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. Retrieved from: 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. Retrieved from: http://www.cdc.gov/HealthyYouth/adolescenthealth/pdf/connectedness.pdf

How Children Are Faring

In California, about 28% of 7th graders, 31% of 9th graders, and 32% of 11th graders reported that, in the past 12 months, they had been so sad or hopeless every day for at least two weeks that they stopped doing some usual activities, according to 2008-10 data. Non-traditional students (i.e., those enrolled in Community Day Schools or Continuation Education) had the highest percentages reporting depression-related feelings in the past year: 37% in 2008-10.

As in previous years, greater percentages of females in 7th, 9th, and 11th grades reported depression-related feelings than their male peers in 2008-10. In addition, students who reported feeling less connected to their schools more often reported depression-related feelings. Among racial/ethnic groups, the percentage reporting depression-related feelings ranged from 27% to 34% in 2008-10, with the highest percentages among multiethnic and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander students.

In 2011, there were 11,687 hospitalizations for mental health issues among children ages 5-14 in California (a rate of 1.2 per 1,000), and 23,514 among youth ages 15-19 (4.2 per 1,000). The statewide rate of hospitalizations increased by 33% among children ages 5-14 and by 27% among ages 15-19 between 2007 and 2011. Among counties with available data in 2011, the rate of hospitalizations due to mental health issues ranged from 0.5 to 3.4 per 1,000 children ages 5-14, and from 2.7 to 10.9 per 1,000 teens ages 15-19.

Research and Links

Websites with Related Information

Key Reports

County/Regional Reports