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Emotional & Behavioral Health


Depression-Related Feelings, by Race/Ethnicity: 2006-2008 See Source and Notes
(Race/Ethnicity: All; Answer: All)

California Percent
Race/Ethnicity Yes No
African American/Black 31.9% 68.1%
Asian 29.6% 70.4%
Caucasian/White 29.1% 70.9%
Hispanic/Latino 33.3% 66.7%
Native American/Alaska Native 36.1% 63.9%
Pacific Islander 36.8% 63.2%
Multiethnic 34.9% 65.1%
Other 33.9% 66.1%
Alameda County Percent
Race/Ethnicity Yes No
African American/Black 30.4% 69.6%
Asian 28.5% 71.5%
Caucasian/White 28.0% 72.0%
Hispanic/Latino 35.4% 64.6%
Native American/Alaska Native 35.5% 64.5%
Pacific Islander 35.9% 64.1%
Multiethnic 34.8% 65.2%
Other 32.5% 67.5%
Alpine County Percent
Race/Ethnicity Yes No
African American/Black N/A N/A
Asian N/A N/A
Caucasian/White LNE LNE
Hispanic/Latino LNE LNE
Native American/Alaska Native LNE LNE
Pacific Islander N/A N/A
Multiethnic LNE LNE
Other N/A N/A
Amador County Percent
Race/Ethnicity Yes No
African American/Black LNE LNE
Asian LNE LNE
Caucasian/White 32.0% 68.0%
Hispanic/Latino 24.7% 75.3%
Native American/Alaska Native 34.8% 65.2%
Pacific Islander LNE LNE
Multiethnic 37.9% 62.1%
Other 36.3% 63.7%
Butte County Percent
Race/Ethnicity Yes No
African American/Black 32.8% 67.2%
Asian 32.6% 67.4%
Caucasian/White 30.6% 69.4%
Hispanic/Latino 33.7% 66.3%
Native American/Alaska Native 36.4% 63.6%
Pacific Islander 31.4% 68.6%
Multiethnic 36.5% 63.5%
Other 33.8% 66.2%
Calaveras County Percent
Race/Ethnicity Yes No
African American/Black LNE LNE
Asian LNE LNE
Caucasian/White 30.0% 70.0%
Hispanic/Latino 32.9% 67.1%
Native American/Alaska Native 31.7% 68.3%
Pacific Islander LNE LNE
Multiethnic 35.8% 64.2%
Other 50.7% 49.3%
Colusa County Percent
Race/Ethnicity Yes No
African American/Black LNE LNE
Asian LNE LNE
Caucasian/White 31.1% 68.9%
Hispanic/Latino 31.6% 68.4%
Native American/Alaska Native LNE LNE
Pacific Islander LNE LNE
Multiethnic LNE LNE
Other LNE LNE
Contra Costa County Percent
Race/Ethnicity Yes No
African American/Black 33.5% 66.5%
Asian 27.3% 72.7%
Caucasian/White 28.0% 72.0%
Hispanic/Latino 34.4% 65.6%
Native American/Alaska Native 37.5% 62.5%
Pacific Islander 37.6% 62.4%
Multiethnic 33.7% 66.3%
Other 32.7% 67.3%
Del Norte County Percent
Race/Ethnicity Yes No
African American/Black LNE LNE
Asian 40.0% 60.0%
Caucasian/White 36.6% 63.4%
Hispanic/Latino 42.6% 57.4%
Native American/Alaska Native 38.1% 61.9%
Pacific Islander LNE LNE
Multiethnic 41.4% 58.6%
Other 33.5% 66.5%
El Dorado County Percent
Race/Ethnicity Yes No
African American/Black 33.2% 66.8%
Asian 27.0% 73.0%
Caucasian/White 25.2% 74.8%
Hispanic/Latino 27.0% 73.0%
Native American/Alaska Native 28.5% 71.5%
Pacific Islander 34.1% 65.9%
Multiethnic 28.9% 71.1%
Other 28.2% 71.8%
Fresno County Percent
Race/Ethnicity Yes No
African American/Black 31.8% 68.2%
Asian 35.0% 65.0%
Caucasian/White 31.7% 68.3%
Hispanic/Latino 33.2% 66.8%
Native American/Alaska Native 37.3% 62.7%
Pacific Islander 37.1% 62.9%
Multiethnic 36.6% 63.4%
Other 34.9% 65.1%
Glenn County Percent
Race/Ethnicity Yes No
African American/Black LNE LNE
Asian 44.5% 55.5%
Caucasian/White 28.8% 71.2%
Hispanic/Latino 28.9% 71.1%
Native American/Alaska Native 33.3% 66.7%
Pacific Islander LNE LNE
Multiethnic 36.2% 63.8%
Other 36.9% 63.1%
Humboldt County Percent
Race/Ethnicity Yes No
African American/Black 23.4% 76.6%
Asian 28.3% 71.7%
Caucasian/White 29.9% 70.1%
Hispanic/Latino 31.8% 68.2%
Native American/Alaska Native 35.1% 64.9%
Pacific Islander 23.3% 76.7%
Multiethnic 34.5% 65.5%
Other 36.2% 63.8%
Imperial County Percent
Race/Ethnicity Yes No
African American/Black 31.1% 68.9%
Asian 34.7% 65.3%
Caucasian/White 30.2% 69.8%
Hispanic/Latino 34.4% 65.6%
Native American/Alaska Native 38.2% 61.8%
Pacific Islander 36.6% 63.4%
Multiethnic 38.9% 61.1%
Other 35.5% 64.5%
Inyo County Percent
Race/Ethnicity Yes No
African American/Black LNE LNE
Asian LNE LNE
Caucasian/White 30.3% 69.7%
Hispanic/Latino 30.1% 69.9%
Native American/Alaska Native 36.9% 63.1%
Pacific Islander LNE LNE
Multiethnic 34.2% 65.8%
Other 28.5% 71.5%
Kern County Percent
Race/Ethnicity Yes No
African American/Black 35.2% 64.8%
Asian 32.5% 67.5%
Caucasian/White 33.7% 66.3%
Hispanic/Latino 34.5% 65.5%
Native American/Alaska Native 36.1% 63.9%
Pacific Islander 52.2% 47.8%
Multiethnic 37.7% 62.3%
Other 37.4% 62.6%
Kings County Percent
Race/Ethnicity Yes No
African American/Black 32.2% 67.8%
Asian 28.7% 71.3%
Caucasian/White 33.1% 66.9%
Hispanic/Latino 34.3% 65.7%
Native American/Alaska Native 38.4% 61.6%
Pacific Islander 23.7% 76.3%
Multiethnic 33.6% 66.4%
Other 30.6% 69.4%
Lake County Percent
Race/Ethnicity Yes No
African American/Black 34.2% 65.8%
Asian 26.9% 73.1%
Caucasian/White 31.9% 68.1%
Hispanic/Latino 30.8% 69.2%
Native American/Alaska Native 41.5% 58.5%
Pacific Islander LNE LNE
Multiethnic 41.8% 58.2%
Other 39.0% 61.0%
Lassen County Percent
Race/Ethnicity Yes No
African American/Black LNE LNE
Asian LNE LNE
Caucasian/White 27.6% 72.4%
Hispanic/Latino 29.1% 70.9%
Native American/Alaska Native 38.4% 61.6%
Pacific Islander LNE LNE
Multiethnic 31.9% 68.1%
Other 24.3% 75.7%
Los Angeles County Percent
Race/Ethnicity Yes No
African American/Black 31.9% 68.1%
Asian 28.3% 71.7%
Caucasian/White 29.1% 70.9%
Hispanic/Latino 33.6% 66.4%
Native American/Alaska Native 37.9% 62.1%
Pacific Islander 37.1% 62.9%
Multiethnic 34.7% 65.3%
Other 36.5% 63.5%
Madera County Percent
Race/Ethnicity Yes No
African American/Black 27.8% 72.2%
Asian 36.2% 63.8%
Caucasian/White 30.8% 69.2%
Hispanic/Latino 30.1% 69.9%
Native American/Alaska Native 24.3% 75.7%
Pacific Islander 30.5% 69.5%
Multiethnic 34.9% 65.1%
Other 35.5% 64.5%
Marin County Percent
Race/Ethnicity Yes No
African American/Black 29.5% 70.5%
Asian 21.5% 78.5%
Caucasian/White 22.6% 77.4%
Hispanic/Latino 35.1% 64.9%
Native American/Alaska Native 33.5% 66.5%
Pacific Islander 31.2% 68.8%
Multiethnic 27.4% 72.6%
Other 26.8% 73.2%
Mariposa County Percent
Race/Ethnicity Yes No
African American/Black LNE LNE
Asian LNE LNE
Caucasian/White 26.4% 73.6%
Hispanic/Latino LNE LNE
Native American/Alaska Native LNE LNE
Pacific Islander LNE LNE
Multiethnic LNE LNE
Other 34.9% 65.1%
Mendocino County Percent
Race/Ethnicity Yes No
African American/Black 41.1% 58.9%
Asian 36.2% 63.8%
Caucasian/White 31.5% 68.5%
Hispanic/Latino 33.8% 66.2%
Native American/Alaska Native 37.4% 62.6%
Pacific Islander LNE LNE
Multiethnic 40.7% 59.3%
Other 37.0% 63.0%
Merced County Percent
Race/Ethnicity Yes No
African American/Black 30.8% 69.2%
Asian 36.8% 63.2%
Caucasian/White 31.2% 68.8%
Hispanic/Latino 32.3% 67.7%
Native American/Alaska Native 36.4% 63.6%
Pacific Islander 44.8% 55.2%
Multiethnic 35.3% 64.7%
Other 33.3% 66.7%
Modoc County Percent
Race/Ethnicity Yes No
African American/Black LNE LNE
Asian LNE LNE
Caucasian/White 23.8% 76.2%
Hispanic/Latino LNE LNE
Native American/Alaska Native LNE LNE
Pacific Islander LNE LNE
Multiethnic LNE LNE
Other LNE LNE
Mono County Percent
Race/Ethnicity Yes No
African American/Black LNE LNE
Asian LNE LNE
Caucasian/White 22.9% 77.1%
Hispanic/Latino 36.7% 63.3%
Native American/Alaska Native LNE LNE
Pacific Islander LNE LNE
Multiethnic LNE LNE
Other LNE LNE
Monterey County Percent
Race/Ethnicity Yes No
African American/Black 31.9% 68.1%
Asian 34.0% 66.0%
Caucasian/White 33.1% 66.9%
Hispanic/Latino 32.9% 67.1%
Native American/Alaska Native 34.2% 65.8%
Pacific Islander 35.3% 64.7%
Multiethnic 36.4% 63.6%
Other 35.8% 64.2%
Napa County Percent
Race/Ethnicity Yes No
African American/Black 30.4% 69.6%
Asian 33.0% 67.0%
Caucasian/White 27.9% 72.1%
Hispanic/Latino 33.8% 66.2%
Native American/Alaska Native 36.6% 63.4%
Pacific Islander 40.6% 59.4%
Multiethnic 38.6% 61.4%
Other 33.3% 66.7%
Nevada County Percent
Race/Ethnicity Yes No
African American/Black 32.3% 67.7%
Asian 34.4% 65.6%
Caucasian/White 27.8% 72.2%
Hispanic/Latino 32.8% 67.2%
Native American/Alaska Native 33.9% 66.1%
Pacific Islander 34.5% 65.5%
Multiethnic 33.2% 66.8%
Other 34.9% 65.1%
Orange County Percent
Race/Ethnicity Yes No
African American/Black 31.6% 68.4%
Asian 29.3% 70.7%
Caucasian/White 27.1% 72.9%
Hispanic/Latino 32.9% 67.1%
Native American/Alaska Native 32.6% 67.4%
Pacific Islander 33.2% 66.8%
Multiethnic 31.8% 68.2%
Other 31.0% 69.0%
Placer County Percent
Race/Ethnicity Yes No
African American/Black 26.2% 73.8%
Asian 26.2% 73.8%
Caucasian/White 25.8% 74.2%
Hispanic/Latino 31.4% 68.6%
Native American/Alaska Native 33.2% 66.8%
Pacific Islander 32.9% 67.1%
Multiethnic 32.1% 67.9%
Other 30.3% 69.7%
Plumas County Percent
Race/Ethnicity Yes No
African American/Black LNE LNE
Asian LNE LNE
Caucasian/White 29.0% 71.0%
Hispanic/Latino 33.8% 66.2%
Native American/Alaska Native 22.8% 77.2%
Pacific Islander LNE LNE
Multiethnic 26.5% 73.5%
Other 36.5% 63.5%
Riverside County Percent
Race/Ethnicity Yes No
African American/Black 32.3% 67.7%
Asian 34.5% 65.5%
Caucasian/White 29.7% 70.3%
Hispanic/Latino 33.4% 66.6%
Native American/Alaska Native 37.1% 62.9%
Pacific Islander 37.3% 62.7%
Multiethnic 35.9% 64.1%
Other 34.3% 65.7%
Sacramento County Percent
Race/Ethnicity Yes No
African American/Black 31.9% 68.1%
Asian 33.8% 66.2%
Caucasian/White 31.8% 68.2%
Hispanic/Latino 33.3% 66.7%
Native American/Alaska Native 38.3% 61.7%
Pacific Islander 38.0% 62.0%
Multiethnic 36.9% 63.1%
Other 32.5% 67.5%
San Benito County Percent
Race/Ethnicity Yes No
African American/Black 34.3% 65.7%
Asian 34.7% 65.3%
Caucasian/White 29.8% 70.2%
Hispanic/Latino 31.9% 68.1%
Native American/Alaska Native 36.0% 64.0%
Pacific Islander LNE LNE
Multiethnic 36.7% 63.3%
Other 30.7% 69.3%
San Bernardino County Percent
Race/Ethnicity Yes No
African American/Black 31.4% 68.6%
Asian 32.9% 67.1%
Caucasian/White 32.6% 67.4%
Hispanic/Latino 33.5% 66.5%
Native American/Alaska Native 35.4% 64.6%
Pacific Islander 36.1% 63.9%
Multiethnic 35.6% 64.4%
Other 34.1% 65.9%
San Diego County Percent
Race/Ethnicity Yes No
African American/Black 32.6% 67.4%
Asian 30.9% 69.1%
Caucasian/White 28.5% 71.5%
Hispanic/Latino 31.8% 68.2%
Native American/Alaska Native 34.6% 65.4%
Pacific Islander 34.7% 65.3%
Multiethnic 34.9% 65.1%
Other 33.8% 66.2%
San Francisco County Percent
Race/Ethnicity Yes No
African American/Black 29.8% 70.2%
Asian 25.2% 74.8%
Caucasian/White 29.5% 70.5%
Hispanic/Latino 31.5% 68.5%
Native American/Alaska Native 23.1% 76.9%
Pacific Islander 42.5% 57.5%
Multiethnic 31.2% 68.8%
Other 34.5% 65.5%
San Joaquin County Percent
Race/Ethnicity Yes No
African American/Black 32.2% 67.8%
Asian 34.3% 65.7%
Caucasian/White 30.1% 69.9%
Hispanic/Latino 33.3% 66.7%
Native American/Alaska Native 40.4% 59.6%
Pacific Islander 38.1% 61.9%
Multiethnic 38.3% 61.7%
Other 35.1% 64.9%
San Luis Obispo County Percent
Race/Ethnicity Yes No
African American/Black 28.6% 71.4%
Asian 27.6% 72.4%
Caucasian/White 26.8% 73.2%
Hispanic/Latino 33.0% 67.0%
Native American/Alaska Native 41.2% 58.8%
Pacific Islander 32.8% 67.2%
Multiethnic 34.9% 65.1%
Other 29.1% 70.9%
San Mateo County Percent
Race/Ethnicity Yes No
African American/Black 29.7% 70.3%
Asian 27.1% 72.9%
Caucasian/White 26.6% 73.4%
Hispanic/Latino 34.3% 65.7%
Native American/Alaska Native 35.8% 64.2%
Pacific Islander 38.9% 61.1%
Multiethnic 32.4% 67.6%
Other 32.5% 67.5%
Santa Barbara County Percent
Race/Ethnicity Yes No
African American/Black 30.7% 69.3%
Asian 31.3% 68.7%
Caucasian/White 24.3% 75.7%
Hispanic/Latino 30.4% 69.6%
Native American/Alaska Native 33.2% 66.8%
Pacific Islander 28.4% 71.6%
Multiethnic 32.6% 67.4%
Other 29.9% 70.1%
Santa Clara County Percent
Race/Ethnicity Yes No
African American/Black 31.2% 68.8%
Asian 26.4% 73.6%
Caucasian/White 26.8% 73.2%
Hispanic/Latino 34.1% 65.9%
Native American/Alaska Native 35.3% 64.7%
Pacific Islander 36.8% 63.2%
Multiethnic 33.4% 66.6%
Other 31.5% 68.5%
Santa Cruz County Percent
Race/Ethnicity Yes No
African American/Black 32.0% 68.0%
Asian 30.8% 69.2%
Caucasian/White 25.1% 74.9%
Hispanic/Latino 32.8% 67.2%
Native American/Alaska Native 37.6% 62.4%
Pacific Islander 37.0% 63.0%
Multiethnic 35.4% 64.6%
Other 32.5% 67.5%
Shasta County Percent
Race/Ethnicity Yes No
African American/Black 29.0% 71.0%
Asian 29.8% 70.2%
Caucasian/White 29.6% 70.4%
Hispanic/Latino 26.1% 73.9%
Native American/Alaska Native 33.0% 67.0%
Pacific Islander 38.7% 61.3%
Multiethnic 31.4% 68.6%
Other 32.4% 67.6%
Sierra County Percent
Race/Ethnicity Yes No
African American/Black LNE LNE
Asian LNE LNE
Caucasian/White 20.3% 79.7%
Hispanic/Latino LNE LNE
Native American/Alaska Native LNE LNE
Pacific Islander LNE LNE
Multiethnic LNE LNE
Other LNE LNE
Siskiyou County Percent
Race/Ethnicity Yes No
African American/Black LNE LNE
Asian LNE LNE
Caucasian/White 32.5% 67.5%
Hispanic/Latino 31.9% 68.1%
Native American/Alaska Native 33.9% 66.1%
Pacific Islander LNE LNE
Multiethnic 37.5% 62.5%
Other 26.1% 73.9%
Solano County Percent
Race/Ethnicity Yes No
African American/Black 32.8% 67.2%
Asian 36.3% 63.7%
Caucasian/White 32.9% 67.1%
Hispanic/Latino 34.4% 65.6%
Native American/Alaska Native 37.2% 62.8%
Pacific Islander 36.5% 63.5%
Multiethnic 37.1% 62.9%
Other 36.5% 63.5%
Sonoma County Percent
Race/Ethnicity Yes No
African American/Black 26.6% 73.4%
Asian 25.2% 74.8%
Caucasian/White 26.9% 73.1%
Hispanic/Latino 28.6% 71.4%
Native American/Alaska Native 33.2% 66.8%
Pacific Islander 34.4% 65.6%
Multiethnic 29.0% 71.0%
Other 29.2% 70.8%
Stanislaus County Percent
Race/Ethnicity Yes No
African American/Black 31.0% 69.0%
Asian 35.0% 65.0%
Caucasian/White 33.7% 66.3%
Hispanic/Latino 33.3% 66.7%
Native American/Alaska Native 42.5% 57.5%
Pacific Islander 39.0% 61.0%
Multiethnic 39.9% 60.1%
Other 33.7% 66.3%
Sutter County Percent
Race/Ethnicity Yes No
African American/Black 37.4% 62.6%
Asian 31.5% 68.5%
Caucasian/White 32.3% 67.7%
Hispanic/Latino 34.6% 65.4%
Native American/Alaska Native 32.3% 67.7%
Pacific Islander 32.6% 67.4%
Multiethnic 40.3% 59.7%
Other 32.8% 67.2%
Tehama County Percent
Race/Ethnicity Yes No
African American/Black LNE LNE
Asian 33.4% 66.6%
Caucasian/White 34.2% 65.8%
Hispanic/Latino 36.5% 63.5%
Native American/Alaska Native 34.0% 66.0%
Pacific Islander LNE LNE
Multiethnic 37.8% 62.2%
Other 30.2% 69.8%
Trinity County Percent
Race/Ethnicity Yes No
African American/Black N/A N/A
Asian N/A N/A
Caucasian/White N/A N/A
Hispanic/Latino N/A N/A
Native American/Alaska Native N/A N/A
Pacific Islander N/A N/A
Multiethnic N/A N/A
Other N/A N/A
Tulare County Percent
Race/Ethnicity Yes No
African American/Black 36.5% 63.5%
Asian 37.4% 62.6%
Caucasian/White 30.0% 70.0%
Hispanic/Latino 32.5% 67.5%
Native American/Alaska Native 36.7% 63.3%
Pacific Islander 38.8% 61.2%
Multiethnic 35.3% 64.7%
Other 31.9% 68.1%
Tuolumne County Percent
Race/Ethnicity Yes No
African American/Black LNE LNE
Asian LNE LNE
Caucasian/White 28.4% 71.6%
Hispanic/Latino 37.2% 62.8%
Native American/Alaska Native 36.1% 63.9%
Pacific Islander LNE LNE
Multiethnic 34.7% 65.3%
Other 34.0% 66.0%
Ventura County Percent
Race/Ethnicity Yes No
African American/Black 35.3% 64.7%
Asian 28.7% 71.3%
Caucasian/White 27.8% 72.2%
Hispanic/Latino 34.3% 65.7%
Native American/Alaska Native 35.2% 64.8%
Pacific Islander 37.0% 63.0%
Multiethnic 34.0% 66.0%
Other 32.4% 67.6%
Yolo County Percent
Race/Ethnicity Yes No
African American/Black 24.5% 75.5%
Asian 18.0% 82.0%
Caucasian/White 27.9% 72.1%
Hispanic/Latino 31.1% 68.9%
Native American/Alaska Native 27.3% 72.7%
Pacific Islander 43.5% 56.5%
Multiethnic 34.2% 65.8%
Other 27.4% 72.6%
Yuba County Percent
Race/Ethnicity Yes No
African American/Black 42.5% 57.5%
Asian 34.9% 65.1%
Caucasian/White 31.6% 68.4%
Hispanic/Latino 33.7% 66.3%
Native American/Alaska Native 36.1% 63.9%
Pacific Islander 50.7% 49.3%
Multiethnic 35.7% 64.3%
Other 33.8% 66.2%

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.

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. Exercise caution in making comparisons across districts, because elementary and high school districts may not include all grade levels. 

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