J. KATE BURKHART, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Behavioral Health Needs of Children and Youth in Interior Alaska

ESTIMATED INCIDENCE OF BEHAVIORAL HEALTH DISORDERS AMONG ALASKAN CHILDREN AND YOUTH Prevalence

Early Childhood Delays, Disorders In the Interior Region: 46% of children born were born to women with less-than-adequate prenatal care 1.3% of mothers reported drinking alcohol while pregnant (2012) 12.1% of mothers reported smoking while pregnant (2012) 10% of all births in 2012 were pre-term births 3.6% of children/youth under age 18 reported a sensory deficit or disability, cognitive difficulty or disorder, mobility impairment, or difficulty with self-care or life skills ( , 945 children) *Compiled and reported by Kids Count Alaska, Annie E. Casey Foundation

Any Mental Health Disorder According to the 2007 National Survey of Children’s Health, 9.9% of children age 2-17 have one or more emotional, behavioral, or developmental condition – including anxiety, depression, and developmental delays. This is lower than the national prevalence of 11.3%.2007 National Survey of Children’s Health prevalence age 6-11 years11.6% (US 12.1%) prevalence age years12.5%(US 14.69%) Young men are more likely to experience poor mental/emotional health (14.7% vs. 6.8%). Of these children and youth, 42% experience more than two diagnosable conditions. Less than half (43.1%) received mental health treatment in the past year and less than half (44.2%) receive coordinated, comprehensive care through a single entity.

Any Mental Health Disorder According to the 2013 Alaska Youth Risk Behavior Survey, depression affects more than a quarter of traditional high school students and nearly half of alternative high school students.2013 Alaska Youth Risk Behavior Survey AltHSTradHS Students reporting feeling so sad/hopeless almost every day for two weeks or more in a row that they stopped doing some usual activities during the past year40.2%27.2% Students who attempted suicide one or more times during the past year14.8%8.4%

Severe Emotional Disturbance An estimated 6% of Alaskan children and youth age 9-17 experience a severe emotional disturbance (SED). In the Fairbanks/North Star Borough, an estimated 706 children and youth experience an SED, with an estimated 215 more children and youth in the Interior experiencing an SED.* *Alaska Behavioral Health System Assessment (2015) The Office of Children’s Services reports, for the Northern Region (which includes Fairbanks and the Interior) in the past twelve months (September ), between children are in out-of-home placement as a result of child maltreatment. Emotional and physical trauma contribute to the likelihood of experiencing mental health disorders as children and/or adults.

Substance Use, Abuse According to the 2013 Alaska Youth Risk Behavior Survey, alternative students report higher rates of alcohol and other drug use:2013 Alaska Youth Risk Behavior Survey AltHSTradHS Students who had at least one drink of alcohol in the past month45.7%22.5% Students who used marijuana in the past month47.8%19.7% Students who had five or more drinks of alcohol in a row within a couple of hours in the past month32.8%12.8% Students reporting using prescription drugs without a prescription in the past month 52.2%22% Students reporting any lifetime heroin use8.1%2.2%

BUILDING BLOCKS OF RESILIENCE Protective Factors

Support Empowerment Boundaries and expectations Constructive use of time Commitment to learning Positive values Social skills Positive identity Alaska Initiative for Community Engagement Association of Alaska School Boards

Protective Factors *School Climate and Connectedness Survey, 2014

Positive Youth Development Community Programs to Promote Youth Development provide: Structure and clear expectations for behavior Increasing opportunities to make decisions, to take on leadership roles, and participate in governance Opportunities to experience supportive relationships with adults Opportunities to learn how to form healthy relationships with peers Opportunities to feel valued Opportunities to develop positive social values and norms Opportunities for skill building and mastery Opportunities to develop confidence, a sense of personal efficacy Opportunities to contribute to their communities Strong links between families, schools and broader community resources *A Guide to Positive Youth Development, 2003 (New York: Mount Sinai Adolescent Health Center)

GUIDELINES FOR PROVIDING ACCESSIBLE HEALTH CARE FOR ADOLESCENTS Child & Youth Friendly Care

Appropriate and Accessible Health Care Health Literacy Community Support Appropriate Package of Services Provider Competencies Facility Characteristics Equity and Nondiscrimination Data and Quality Improvement Adolescents’ Participation

Thank You! J. K ATE B URKHART, E XECUTIVE D IRECTOR Advisory Board on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Alaska Mental Health Board Statewide Suicide Prevention Council