MA- 1 in 10 youth say they tried suicide: Andover High students reveal frightening news in anonymous survey

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12-4-2008 Massachusetts:

One in 10 Andover High School freshmen and juniors last spring admitted to attempting suicide within the previous 12 months.

That's according to student responses to an anonymous national Youth Risk Behavior Survey given each year. The students who took the survey are now sophomores and juniors.

The results have Brian McNally, program coordinator for Andover's health and physical education programs, calling for the system to beef up its suicide-prevention education.

In addition to 10 percent of then-freshmen and 10.3 percent of then-juniors saying they had attempted suicide — compared with state averages of 6.9 and 5.3 percent — 7 percent of freshmen and 8.7 percent of juniors said they had made a suicide plan in the previous year. Statewide averages for suicide plans were higher, at 11.1 and 10.4 percent.

McNally attributed the local suicide statistics to a high-pressure atmosphere in Andover, in both academics and athletics.

Suicide and its prevention must become a topic talked about early and often in Andover schools — starting even in fourth or fifth grade and continuing through high school, said McNally. Health programs and classes must emphasize where to get help, who youth can talk to if they're depressed and how they can recognize signs of suicide in friends and peers, he said.

"The best thing is education," McNally said. "We need to look at some of the pressures our students are under, whether it be AP classes, athletics or working a job."

School Committee Chairwoman Debra Rahmin Silberstein agreed, saying, "It's tougher than people realize. Not just for A students, but for B students as well."

Members Dennis Forgue and Arthur Barber suggested at the School Committee's Dec. 2 meeting that McNally release the risk survey results to parents and Andover Youth Services, which might find the statistics a useful tool.

Andover Youth Services was created 15 years ago because of concerns about youth suicide in town.

The anonymous youth behavior survey, written by the U.S. Center for Disease Control, asks students 99 questions about physical activity, nutrition, drug use, sex, alcohol and other risk behaviors.

McNally noted that Andover High students' uses of alcohol, cigarette, marijuana and other drugs are below the state averages. Overall, students feel safe in our schools, he said, and health education and programs in town seem to have a positive effect.

Significantly fewer Andover High students admit to having sex compared with students across the state. The results show 8.8 percent of freshmen and 28.5 percent of juniors said they had had sex one or more times in their lifetime. Statewide, the numbers were 28 and 51 percent.

Also, 6.7 percent of Andover freshmen and 21.1 percent of juniors said they had sex during the three months before the survey, compared to 22.8 and 39.2 percent of those students statewide.

The answers released to the School Committee this week were answered last spring by 730 then-freshmen and juniors.

McNally said the suicide statistics stood out to him, as well as the use of smokeless tobacco, which is higher in Andover than the state average.

For smokeless tobacco, 5.5 percent of freshman and 7.1 percent of juniors said they had used it in the previous 30 days. The state averages are 3.6 and 4.4 percent, respectively. McNally believes smokeless tobacco is used by male high school athletes and has some popularity with others because it is easy to conceal.

..News Source.. by Bethany Bray, Staff Writer