Winchester presentation of Youth Health Survey finds improved mental‑health indicators, persistent disparities

Erin Kean, presenting for Winchester Public Schools, reviewed the district’s 2025 Youth Health Survey results Oct. 30 and described areas of both progress and continuing concern.

Kean said the district changed the name from "Youth Risk Behavior Survey" to "Youth Health Survey" to reflect a broader set of health topics. She said the secondary‑level administration was conducted with consulting firm JSI and drew high participation: 1,184 high‑school students (about 84% participation) and roughly 924 middle‑school students (about 90% participation), according to the presentation slides.

Kean highlighted improvements in general mental‑health indicators at the high school: "We are seeing an improvement in mental health data," she said, and pointed to programs and trainings that have been expanded since the 2023 survey, including Signs of Suicide (grades 7, 9 and 11), Teen Mental Health First Aid at the high school and districtwide Columbia suicide‑risk‑screening tool training for counselors and administrators. Kean said the survey also shows most students reported having a trusted adult at school or home; at the high school more than 86 different staff members were named across respondents as trusted adults.

The presentation also identified disparities by subgroup: Hispanic/Latino students and transgender and gender‑diverse students were less likely than average to report adult connections; LGBQ+ and transgender students showed higher reported rates of discrimination and stress in some measures. Kean noted some positive trends in reduced bullying at the high school but cautioned that middle‑school bullying appears to have increased slightly.

Committee members asked for additional breakdowns and historical comparisons to pre‑COVID baselines. Miss Bergstrom asked whether the 2021 baseline (which was close to the pandemic period) affects interpretation of trends; Kean agreed to provide comparisons where possible and to share the survey instrument and full report in the district materials folder and at the library for parental review. Kean confirmed parents may review the survey questions in the library or at school main offices and may exercise opt‑out rights where applicable.

Members thanked Kean for the concise presentation and asked for follow‑up data; the committee noted the presentation will help guide SEL (social‑emotional learning) and mental‑health programming going forward.