In a recent government meeting, officials discussed concerning trends in youth mental health and food insecurity, as revealed by a survey conducted in the fall of 2022. Notably, the survey indicated a significant decrease in suicide attempts among high school students, dropping from 17% in the previous year to 9%. This decline is seen as a positive development, although officials cautioned that the overall mental health landscape remains challenging, particularly for middle school students.

The meeting highlighted that while there has been improvement, the stressors related to the COVID-19 pandemic continue to impact youth. Officials noted that food insecurity is a major concern, with 17% of middle school students and 14% of high school students reporting anxiety about running out of food. The percentage of students who actually experienced food shortages was reported at 12% for middle schoolers and 10% for high schoolers, both figures higher than in previous surveys. This increase is attributed to the expiration of pandemic relief programs and rising food costs.

Additionally, the meeting addressed sexual health among students, revealing that 23.6% of high school students reported having had sexual intercourse, with 17.5% indicating they were sexually active within the three months prior to the survey. These statistics have remained relatively stable over the years.

The discussion also included data on sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among the 15 to 19-year-old population in Frederick County, specifically focusing on chlamydia and gonorrhea rates from 2022. This data is intended to inform public health strategies and educational initiatives aimed at improving youth health outcomes.

Overall, the meeting underscored the ongoing challenges faced by youth in the community, particularly in mental health and food security, while also highlighting areas of progress.