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Complete Indicator Profile of Mental Health - Adolescents (Grades 9-12) - Sad or Hopeless for 2 Weeks (HA2020 Leading Health Indicator: 8)DefinitionAdolescents (students in grades 9-12) who felt so sad or hopeless every day for 2 weeks or more in a row that they stopped doing some usual activities during the past 12 months.NumeratorNumber of adolescents (students in grades 9-12) responding yes to the question: "During the past 12 months, did you ever feel so sad or hopeless almost every day for two weeks or more in a row that you stopped doing some usual activities?"DenominatorNumber of adolescents (students in grades 9-12) with complete and valid responses to the question.Why Is This Important?Mental health is a state of successful performance of mental function, resulting in productive activities, fulfilling relationships with other people, and the ability to adapt to change and to cope with adversity. Mental health is indispensable to personal well-being, family and interpersonal relationships, and contribution to community or society. Mental health was recognized in the U.S. Surgeon General's 1999 report as being fundamental to overall health. Poor mental health can occur across the lifespan, affecting persons of all racial and ethnic groups, both sexes, and all educational and socioeconomic groups. Evidence has shown that mental disorders are strongly related to the occurrence, successful treatment, and course of many chronic diseases including diabetes, cancer, cardiovascular disease, asthma, and obesity, as well as many risk behaviors for chronic disease, including physical inactivity, smoking, excessive drinking, and insufficient sleep. In teens, sadness or depression can lead to poor grades at school, alcohol or drug use, unsafe sex, and other problems. National studies have found that mental health issues have been the most commonly identified precipitating circumstance in suicides.Other ObjectivesHealthy Alaskans 2020 Target: 23%Evidence-based PracticesAs part of the Healthy Alaskans 2020 health improvement process, groups of Alaskan subject matter experts met over a period of months in a rigorous review process to identify and prioritize strategies to address the 25 health priorities. Public health partners around the state are aligning work around these approaches adapted to Alaska's unique needs. Below are the strategies identified for enhancing adolescent support systems.Strategy 1: Identify adolescents experiencing or at risk of experiencing severe depression and immediately connect them to screening, treatment, and social support services. Evidence Base: Screening for depression and suicide is a strategy identified by the President's New Freedom Commission of Mental Health (Goal 4). Screening programs implemented in schools can expand access to mental health services to health disparity populations, when screening is followed by school-based clinical and support services or a facilitated referral to community based services. The Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic and Treatment (EPSDT) Program ensures that the health needs of children and youth are identified and treated early, before more complex and critical health conditions develop. EPSDT is a federally-mandated Medicaid benefit for all recipients aged 0-21. Comprehensive health screenings, diagnostic services and treatment services, including mental health screenings, are included in the EPSDT program. Sources: Smith V, Rosen J. An Assessment of the Alaska YKHC EPSDT Pilot Project. 2002. Retrieved from http://dhss.alaska.gov/dhcs/Documents/medicaid_medicare/news_medicaid/ykhc_report.pdf Stoep AV et al. Universal Emotional Health Screening at the Middle School Transition. J Emot Behav Disor. 2005; 13(4): 213-223. Joe S, Bryant H. Evidence-Based Suicide Prevention Screening in Schools. Child Sch. 2007; 29(4): 219-227. Strategy 2: Provide services and opportunities to support all young people in developing a sense of competence, usefulness, belonging, and empowerment. Evidence Base: Research shows that healthy youth development strategies that provide all youth with the supports needed to become successful and competent adults are promising approaches for preventing or reducing a wide range of adolescent health-risk behaviors. Positive Youth Development (PYD) programs promote mental and emotional wellbeing by providing the supports and opportunities youth need to successfully transition to adulthood. PYD programs build on young persons' strengths and talents to help them gain the knowledge and skills they need to become healthy and productive adults. PYD programs are most effective when implemented by entire communities with meaningful youth participation. Sources: University of Washington - Positive Youth Development in the United States: http://aspe.hhs.gov/hsp/PositiveYouthDev99/ Bernat, DH, Resnick, MD. Healthy Youth Development: Science and Strategies. J Public Health Management Practice. 2006; (Suppl):S10-S16. Related IndicatorsRelated Relevant Population Characteristics Indicator Profiles:Related Health Care System Factors Indicator Profiles:Related Risk Factors Indicator Profiles:
Related Health Status Outcomes Indicator Profiles:
Graphical Data ViewsPercentage of adolescents (students in grades 9-12 in traditional high schools) who felt so sad or hopeless for 2 weeks or more in a row that they stopped doing some usual activities during the past 12 months, all Alaskans, Alaska Natives, and U.S., 2001-2019 
Data NotesHealthy Alaskans 2020 Target: 23%** Data Not Available Weighted Alaska data for this indicator were obtained in 2003, 2007, 2009, and 2011. Alaska did not conduct a YRBS survey in 2001 and in 2005 did not obtain a 60% overall response rate to ensure that data would be representative of the high school students statewide. Traditional high schools are public high schools that are distinct from correspondence schools, alternative high schools, which serve students at risk of not graduating, and students enrolled in high school in correctional facilities. Healthy Alaskans 2020 goals were established using results from traditional high school students. Data Sources
Percentage of adolescents (students in grades 9-12 in traditional high schools) who felt so sad or hopeless for 2 weeks or more in a row that they stopped doing some usual activities during the past 12 months, by sex, all Alaskans, 2011-2020
Data NotesHealthy Alaskans 2020 Target: 23%** Data Not Available Weighted Alaska data for this indicator were obtained in 2003, 2007, 2009, and 2011. Alaska did not conduct a YRBS survey in 2001 and in 2005 did not obtain a 60% overall response rate to ensure that data would be representative of the high school students statewide. Percentage of adolescents (students in grades 9-12 in traditional high schools) who felt so sad or hopeless for 2 weeks or more in a row that they stopped doing some usual activities during the past 12 months, by age, all Alaskans, 2011-2020
Data NotesHealthy Alaskans 2020 Target: 23%** Data Not Available Weighted Alaska data for this indicator were obtained in 2003, 2007, 2009, and 2011. Alaska did not conduct a YRBS survey in 2001 and in 2005 did not obtain a 60% overall response rate to ensure that data would be representative of the high school students statewide. Percentage of adolescents (students in grades 9-12 in traditional high schools) who felt so sad or hopeless for 2 weeks or more in a row that they stopped doing some usual activities during the past 12 months, by race, all Alaskans, 2011-2020
Data NotesHealthy Alaskans 2020 Target: 23%** Data Not Available Weighted Alaska data for this indicator were obtained in 2003, 2007, 2009, and 2011. Alaska did not conduct a YRBS survey in 2001 and in 2005 did not obtain a 60% overall response rate to ensure that data would be representative of the high school students statewide. Percentage of adolescents (students in grades 9-12 in traditional high schools) who felt so sad or hopeless for 2 weeks or more in a row that they stopped doing some usual activities during the past 12 months, by Hispanic, all Alaskans, 2011-2020
Data NotesHealthy Alaskans 2020 Target: 23%** Data Not Available Weighted Alaska data for this indicator were obtained in 2003, 2007, 2009, and 2011. Alaska did not conduct a YRBS survey in 2001 and in 2005 did not obtain a 60% overall response rate to ensure that data would be representative of the high school students statewide. Percentage of adolescents (students in grades 9-12 in traditional high schools) who felt so sad or hopeless for 2 weeks or more in a row that they stopped doing some usual activities during the past 12 months, by grade level, all Alaskans, 2011-2020
Data NotesHealthy Alaskans 2020 Target: 23%** Data Not Available Weighted Alaska data for this indicator were obtained in 2003, 2007, 2009, and 2011. Alaska did not conduct a YRBS survey in 2001 and in 2005 did not obtain a 60% overall response rate to ensure that data would be representative of the high school students statewide. Percentage of adolescents (students in grades 9-12 in traditional high schools) who felt so sad or hopeless for 2 weeks or more in a row that they stopped doing some usual activities during the past 12 months, by academic performance, all Alaskans, 2011-2020
Data NotesHealthy Alaskans 2020 Target: 23%** Data Not Available Weighted Alaska data for this indicator were obtained in 2003, 2007, 2009, and 2011. Alaska did not conduct a YRBS survey in 2001 and in 2005 did not obtain a 60% overall response rate to ensure that data would be representative of the high school students statewide. More Resources and LinksAlaska and national goals may be found at the following sites:Maps of health indicators for various subdivisions of Alaska may be found at the following site: Evidence-based community health improvement ideas and interventions may be found at the following sites:
Additional indicator data by state and county may be found on these Websites:
Medical literature can be queried at the PubMed website. For an on-line medical dictionary, click on this Dictionary link.
Page Content Updated On 01/06/2015,
Published on 01/15/2015
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