Wisconsin Health News
June 31, 2024

State Superintendent Jill Underly on Tuesday called for additional investment in school mental health resources in light of asurvey showing students reporting significant challenges. 

Fifty-nine percent of high school students said they experienced at least one mental health challenge during the prior 12 months, according to the survey conducted once every two years. 

More than half reported anxiety, and one in three reported depression. About 21 percent reported non-suicidal self-harm. 

LGBTQ+ and female students reported a disproportionate number of mental health challenges compared to others.

Seventy-nine percent of LGBTQ+  students reported anxiety, while 63 percent reported depression. Forty percent reported considering suicide.

Female students were twice as likely to harm themselves compared to male students. Sixty-seven percent reported anxiety, and 45 percent reported depression. 

“Our kids are in immediate need of our collective help,” Underly said at a Tuesday press conference. 

Data from the survey also show students report less sleep, worsened overall physical health and fewer supports at school and home. Alcohol, tobacco and other drug use declined. 

The data comes from a survey administered in spring 2023 and includes responses from 1,882 Wisconsin students in 42 public, charter and alternative high schools