Most recent youth survey shows concerning trends for mental health and school safety

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- The state of Wisconsin's most recent Youth Risk Behavior Survey shows concerning trends for mental health and school safety.

Several trends did improve, like smoking and alcohol and drug use.

But other trends worsened, especially mental health, suicide, and school safety. The state's top educators say changes must be made to protect students.

Abigail Swetz, Communications Director at the Department of Public Instruction, said, "Our students are struggling, and certain groups of them are struggling more than others."

DPI has heard the concerns straight from young people: the latest Youth Risk Behavior Survey shows a decline in mental health and several other areas of life.

Swetz said, "We know this has been a trend for far too long. We are in a youth mental health crisis, and that's, frankly, not new."

The data came straight from students, and shows some groups are struggling more than others.

Swetz said too many students are seriously considering taking their own lives.

The survey shows for every 10 students, five have anxiety, three are experiencing depression, two have seriously considered suicide in the past year, and one in ten attempted suicide.

The numbers are even more stark for certain subgroups, like LGBTQ+ students.

Swetz said it's "Not hyperbole to say these are students, these are young people we could lose if we do not do something different."

Another area of concern is school safety.

About one in five students agreed or strongly agreed that violence was a problem at their school.

And 11% of students said they "rarely" or "never" felt safe at school. Students of color were statistically more likely than white students to say they don't feel safe at school.

At a recent event, high school students were asked what they would tell lawmakers.

Swetz said, "And the first out of their mouths was 'We need them to know that our lives are different than theirs were.' And then they immediately started talking about two things: youth mental health and school shootings."

She said students feel disconnected and not heard, but everyone can help by listening and being supportive.

And DPI is pushing for a budget that fully funds schools and provides mental health professionals in the school buildings.

But Swetz warns if there are no changes, the crisis will worsen. "We cannot look away. We absolutely need to see this data and then actually do something about it."

An emergency gun violence summit will be held in Milwaukee Thursday, May 25. It will be at the Hyatt Regency from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Several local and national experts will make presentations, as will some Wisconsin students.