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Dear Parent(s) and Guardian(s):
The MetroWest Adolescent Health Survey (MWAHS), an initiative of the MetroWest Health Foundation, has been monitoring trends in adolescent health and risk behaviors in 25 area communities since 2006. The primary goal of the MWAHS is to improve student health and wellness by providing data to drive decisions around health-related prevention efforts, policies, and programming. The survey collects self-reported data on behaviors, including substance use, bullying, mental health, violence, sexual behavior, and physical activity. It also captures data on emerging and evolving behaviors in the adolescent population, such as social media use, prescription drug misuse (including opioids) and vaping, and identifies health disparities experienced by groups such as LGBTQ youth and youth with disabilities. By monitoring trends in adolescent health and risk behaviors, the survey data has strengthened the efforts of schools and communities to address the most pressing physical and mental health challenges facing youth today
The 2021 survey is the 8th administration of the MWAHS in our District and the first online survey administration. Northborough and Southborough have participated in the survey every other year from 2008 to 2018. There was a one-year delay in the administration of the most recent survey in the fall of 2021 due to the challenges of surveying youth during remote learning. In the late fall of 2021, 39,346 middle and high school students in all 25 communities in the MetroWest region participated in the survey.
In Northborough and Southborough, the 2021 MWAHS was administered to middle school students in grades 6 through 8 and high school students in grades 9 through 12. In Northborough and Southborough, student surveys were obtained from 886 students in grades 6 through 8 (96.3% middle school participation rate) and 1,003 students in grades 9 through 12 (79.9% high school participation rate).
A few weeks ago we received the Phase One report with Key Indicator data. The Phase One report provides initial data to support communities as they review priorities and develop action plans to improve adolescent health and wellness. The comprehensive and customized Phase Two report is due to be shared with the District administration in mid-June.
The administration viewed the Phase One data and there was a general consensus of no surprise that, in light of the stay-at-home orders imposed during the pandemic, many risk behaviors that are dependent on access and opportunity are at all-time lows (substance use, violence, and sexual behavior). Conversely, cyberbullying, stress, depressive symptoms, self-injury, and suicidality, which are not dependent on access or opportunity, saw an increase across the board.
Using this data we can bring to light that many of our youth are employing healthy strategies and the majority are not engaging in risky behaviors. While at the same time, shedding light on the fact that our mental health, depression, and suicidality indicators are alarming. This data can aid us in our messaging and programming around mental health and well-being, coping strategies, and building relationships.
ACTION STEPS
- The School District will continue its collaboration with Northboro Family and Youth Services, Southborough Youth and Family Services, Family Success Partnership, Northboro BeWell Initiative, Northboro/Southboro Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition, the District Wellness Committee, and the Medical Advisory Team and use this data to inform our programming, develop resources and plan workshops to support the well-being of our communities.
- Members of these various committees and groups will also play a key role in developing a multimedia approach to disseminating this data to the community at large.
- Evaluating suicide prevention programs for students to be implemented in September 2022.
- Inventory of what is already in place at the school in terms of programs, resources, and supports, and what is needed in each school.
- Broadening the discussion of the data and its implications with school staff.
- Looking at specific groups of students and whether there are elevated levels of risk (e.g., special education, diversity/equity/inclusion group).
- Engaging the community to encourage ways for schools, parents, and community organizations to work together.
- Involving students in the analysis of the data and planning of programming.
- Continue with twice-a-year Social Emotional Learning (SEL) screening.
- Continue with annual Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) screening using data to determine the best grades to assess.
- Providing family training through a series of webinars addressing relevant issues including how to support adolescents’ mental health, social media, and cyberbullying, and creating healthy habits to improve overall wellness.
Family Support Webinar Series
Session 1 - Tues, 5/31 at 7 pm: Mental health, suicidality, and supporting our children
Session 2 - Tues, 6/7 at 7 pm: Keeping kids safe online and preventing cyberbullying
Session 3 - Tues, 6/14 at 7 pm: Building healthy habits to improve physical and emotional health
Register here
Submit questions here
Respectfully,
Mary Ellen Duggan, MEd, BSN, RN, NCSN
District Wellness Coordinator/Nurse Leader
Jennifer Lipton-O’Connor, PhD
District Social Emotional Learning Coordinator
Gregory L. Martineau
Superintendent of Schools
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