Author: John Corbin

Garrett County Health Department Population Health, Innovation, & Informatics Unit

YRBS

Maryland Department of Health Releases 2021-2022 Youth Risk Behavior Survey and Youth Tobacco Survey Data

Stay tuned for more information about this critical dataset as we dive deeper into these reports. Maryland Department of Health Press Release: ​​March 2, 2023 Media Contact: Chase Cook, Acting Director, Office of Communications, 410-767-8649 Maryland Department of Health releases 2021-2022 Youth Risk Behavior Survey and Youth Tobacco Survey data Key findings show substance use decline, mental health challenges and stressors increase during the pandemic Baltimore, MD – The Maryland Department of Health (MDH) today released the results of the 2021-2022 Maryland Youth Risk Behavior Survey and Youth Tobacco Survey (YRBS/YTS). For the first time, the survey addressed mental health status, COVID-19, screen time, disability, and additional information on adverse childhood experiences. Survey findings show that the COVID-19 pandemic greatly affected the mental health of Maryland youth. The survey also finds a reduction in the use of tobacco products, alcohol, and marijuana for high school students. However, there was an increase in alcohol initiation and prescription drug misuse at the middle school level. “While we see some encouraging results, there is clear data indicating a need for continued comprehensive approaches to support mental health and limit tobacco, alcohol, and drug use,” said MDH Secretary Dr. Laura Herrera Scott. “Now that students have returned to schools after navigating arduous challenges heightened by the pandemic, we can address findings through youth-centered health programming, education and outreach.” School-based services that promote mental health support and positive childhood experiences are critical for students. MDH continues to expand youth-specific crisis services across the state including through the Mobile Response and Stabilization Services intervention for children and caregivers in the early phase of a crisis, and the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline for anyone experiencing a mental health or substance use crisis, having thoughts of suicide, or being worried about someone who may need crisis support. Other findings from the 2021-2022 Maryland YRBS/YTS show: More than one-third of middle (37%) and high school (39%) students reported feeling sad or hopeless for at least two weeks or more within the past year, with 29% of high school students and 23% of middle school students reporting that their mental health was not good most of the time or always. Female students were significantly more likely to report feeling sad or hopeless or that their mental health was not good compared to male students. Nationally, nearly 60% of female students experienced persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) YRBS 2021 youth data summary and trends report. High school students’ use of cigarettes (4%), cigars (3%), smokeless tobacco (3%), e-cigarettes (15%), alcohol (19%), and marijuana (15%) declined significantly from the previous survey year.  Middle school students reported increased prescription drug misuse from 7% in 2018 to 12% in 2021. Middle school students also reported an increase in alcohol initiation before the age of 11, up from 9% in 2018 to 10% in 2021. Students identifying as LGBTQ+ were more likely to report more of the risk behaviors measured on the survey compared to their heterosexual (straight) and cisgender counterparts. The Maryland YRBS/YTS is a CDC-sponsored survey that was conducted in the fall of 2021 among nearly 60,000 students in 366 public middle and high schools across the state. The survey tracks behaviors contributing to the leading causes of death and disability. Measures include alcohol, drug and tobacco use, sexual behaviors, unintentional injuries and violence, physical activity and dietary behaviors. The MDH Student and Young Adult Resource Guide for Coping During COVID-19 provides an expansive and evolving list of behavioral health resources for Maryland youth tackling mental health and substance use issues. Parents and providers can explore Mental Health and Crisis Resources for Coping with Violence. The Maryland Tobacco Quitline provides FREE phone, web, and text message-based support to help people as young as age 13 to quit tobacco use, and youth ages 13-17 years can text “VAPEFREE” to 873-373 for support to quit vaping. The full Maryland 2021-22 YRBS/YTS results, including state-level and jurisdiction-level data, are available here. ###### End Press Release ###### Local Notes of Interest: Links to Garrett County Reports:High SchoolDetail TablesSummary TablesRisk Behaviors and Sexual Identity Report Middle SchoolDetail TablesSummary Tables

Fall

Explore Data + More w/ MyGarrettCounty.com This Fall!

As the leaves around Garrett County begin to turn, and fall quickly approaches, a new series is on the horizon for MyGarrettCounty.com. Just as our team has worked to increase access to physical activity with the wildly popular Summer of Fitness & Fun campaign (https://gogarrettcounty.com/category/summer-of-fitness-and-fun/), we’re excited to begin a new series highlighting the data from the recent 2022 – 2024 Garrett County Community Health Assessment (CHA) (https://mygarrettcounty.com/cha2024/)! While fall is an extraordinarily busy time with back-to-school, sports, community events, and more, we’re thrilled to begin sharing the highlights, insights, and findings that illustrate the current status of Garrett County and the surrounding area. Stay tuned for more as this series begins later this month! In the meantime, it’s also important to note that the 2022 KIDS COUNT Data + Data Book are now available! KIDS COUNT Data Center (For Maryland): https://datacenter.kidscount.org/data#MD/5/0/char/0 KIDS COUNT Data Book: https://www.aecf.org/resources/2022-kids-count-data-book These data sets and comparison tools are incredibly important for local grant planning and can be used to benchmark Garrett County’s performance on key metrics with other surrounding counties. Lastly, we want to hear from you! What types of data would you like us to highlight in this new series? Tell us below!

CHA 2022

IMPORTANT! Take the 2022-2024 Garrett County Health Assessment Survey (2-3 Mins. – PRIZES!)

We each have our own ideas about what it means to be healthy and what we feel the biggest issues are for ourselves and our community. For years, the Garrett County Health Department and numerous partners have surveyed the community to help identify our greatest concerns. We are better equipped to make informed decisions regarding policies and strategies and are poised to respond together when data is shared transparently across sectors. Think of this survey as the broadest brushstroke, with the focus groups to follow as the detailed work to drill down into the specifics of each issue. In 2019, over 2,000 people responded to the survey and we conducted ten focus groups. Let’s do it again so we have the most accurate and up-to-date information to better serve our community. After completing the survey you will also have the opportunity to enter the prize drawing! You can help! – Please share this survey with your friends via email, social media, etc… The more feedback we gather, the better our data! Are you interested in being a print distribution partner? If so, email [email protected] and let us know how many printed survey copies you would like to distribute, where, and how we can get in touch with you. Thank you!

Youth

The Bus Is BACK! Learning Beyond the Classroom Returns w/ Summer Schedule!

Preguntas? Llámenos al 301-334-7440 para servicios de traducción. Accessibility assistance available at 301-334-7440. Learn more about Learning Beyond the Classroom at: https://mygarrettcounty.com/groups/local-management-board/learning-beyond-the-classroom/ Shared by Juliet Sanders – Garrett County Local Management Board

Talk. They Hear You. – Updated Resource from SAMHSA – #NationalPreventionWeek

Learn more at: https://www.samhsa.gov/talk-they-hear-you/mobile-application Special thanks to Lori Peck for sharing this resource!

Walk-Up COVID-19 Vaccinations Available In Oakland @ GoVAX Mobile Unit – Tuesday Through Saturday – 11am-7pm – This Week & Next!

Oakland Clinics 📍 65 Enterprise Drive, Oakland, MD 21550 Clinic Location: GCC Technologies On 135, across from 84 Lumber Vaccine: Johnson and Johnson Time: 11am-7pm Too far away or can’t make these times? Check out Garrett County’s many upcoming COVID-19 vaccination clinics at: https://garretthealth.org/vax-updated/

Free testing

FREE COVID-19 Testing in Garrett County – April 2021

Currently, the Health Department is conducting free COVID-19 testing for persons with or without symptoms:⠀⠀• On Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the MEDCO Building in the McHenry Business Park. Pre-registration is recommended. Visit garretthealth.org for more information.⠀⠀• On Monday through Friday by appointment only at the Garrett County Health Department in Oakland. Schedule an appointment by calling 301-334-7697. Read the full press release at: https://garretthealth.org/health-department-seeks-help-with-vaccinating-public/

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