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 2007-2011 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 (2009-2013, 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%.

• prevalence age 6-11 years 11.6% (US 12.1%)• prevalence age 12-17 years 12.5% (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.

AltHS TradHSStudents 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 year 40.2%

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 2014-2015), between 430-470 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:

AltHS TradHS

Students who had at least one drink of alcohol in the past month45.7% 22.5%Students who used marijuana in the past month

47.8% 19.7%Students who had five or more drinks of alcohol in a row within a couple of hours in the past month

32.8% 12.8%Students reporting using prescription drugs without a prescription in the past month

52.2% 22%Students reporting any lifetime heroin use

8.1% 2.2%

BUILDING BLOCKS OF RESILIENCE

Protective Factors

Protective Factors

Support

Empowerment

Boundaries and expectations

Constructive use of time

Commitment to learning

Positive values

Social skills

Positive identity

Alaska Initiative for Community EngagementAssociation of Alaska School Boards

http://alaskaice.org/

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 adultsOpportunities to learn how to form healthy relationships with peersOpportunities to feel valuedOpportunities to develop positive social values and normsOpportunities for skill building and masteryOpportunities to develop confidence, a sense of personal efficacyOpportunities 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 & YouthFriendly Care

Appropriate and Accessible Health Care

Health LiteracyCommunity Support

Appropriate Package of ServicesProvider CompetenciesFacility Characteristics

Equity and NondiscriminationData and Quality Improvement

Adolescents’ Participation

Thank You!

J. KATE BURKHART, EXECUTIVE DIRECTORAdvisory Board on Alcoholism and Drug AbuseAlaska Mental Health BoardStatewide Suicide Prevention Council

kate.burkhart@alaska.gov