In a recent government meeting, officials discussed the findings of a comprehensive survey examining student outcomes in Medford, focusing on mental health, substance use, and bullying among various demographic groups. The survey, which included personal characteristics such as gender identity, sexual orientation, and race, aimed to assess how these factors influence students' health and well-being.

Catherine Dhingra, a team member with two decades of experience in similar surveys, highlighted the importance of understanding the protective and risk factors affecting students. The survey results indicated a significant trend: depressive symptoms among middle and high school students have decreased since their peak in 2021. Notably, the data revealed that LGBTQ+ middle school students reported higher levels of depressive symptoms compared to their peers.

Further analysis showed that Latino middle school students were statistically more likely to endorse depressive symptoms than their white counterparts, although this finding was not universally significant across all measures. For high school students, a similar downward trend in depressive symptoms was observed, with genderqueer and non-binary students reporting higher levels of distress.

The meeting underscored the importance of ongoing monitoring and support for students, particularly those from marginalized groups, as the community seeks to enhance mental health resources and address the factors impacting student learning and well-being.