JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The results of Duval's 2021 Youth Risk Behavior Survey are in.
From drug and alcohol use to reports of bullying, the survey gives teen health organizations a snap-shot into the challenges and risks that students face every day.
The Youth Risk Behavior Survey has been given to 6th through 12th grade Duval Public School Students every two years since 2009. The survey is sponsored by Duval County Public Schools and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention and the data is used to monitor the prevalence of risky behaviors and create teen health programs.
Teen health organizations like JASMYN, whose leaders attend the annual release every year, believe its an essential tool to get into the minds of students.
“The most valuable part of the survey is that its self report. So we’re hearing directly from teenagers, what kind of risks they’re taking , what kinds of challenges they’re facing in their lives on a daily basis and particularly at school," Cindy Watson, the CEO JASMYN, said.
The survey includes six categories of health-related behaviors: violence behavior, sexual behaviors, alcohol and other drug use, tobacco use, dietary behaviors, physical activity.
There are a handful of categories that officials say had a significant trend in the wrong direction.
For instance, more students reported they rarely or never wore a seat belt compared to past survey results. There was also an increase in students who reported electronic bullying and only half of students who reported being sexually active said they used condoms.
In 2021 about 1 in 4 middle school students reported making a plan to commit suicide and 16.5% of high school students reported attempting suicide.
LGBTQ+ students were more likely to report depression and suicidal thoughts compared to their heterosexual peers. Leaders at JASMYN use this data to create programs.
“That helps us design anti-bullying programs, it helps us know where the hot spots are. It helps us know if the programs we’re designing are making a difference," Watson said.
Duval students will take the survey again this year. A letter from Duval Public School leadership said;
“The survey has been designed to protect your child’s privacy. Students will not put their names on the survey. Also, no school or student will ever be mentioned by name in a report of the results.”
Classrooms are selected randomly, and students will receive an opt-out form. Parents can find a copy of the survey at the district Health Education/Physical Education Office in the School Board Building.