BY KAREN BOSSICK

The community is invited to take a data walk to learn about the results of a second survey examining mental well-being among Blaine County School District students this coming week.

The Data Walks will be held at:

3:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 5, at Hemingway STEAM School in Ketchum

6 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 5 at Wood River High School in Hailey

4 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6, at Carey School

Pizza will be provided and Spanish interpretation will be available. Families are encouraged to bring their children and teens.

Nearly 70 percent of students in sixth-grade and higher took the survey examining risks and protective factors for mental well-being in the Wood River Valley. The Blaine County School District is presenting the results in partnership with St. Luke’s Health System and the Communities for Youth team from Boise State University.

Last year’s survey indicated that:

Kids need more sleep. More than 60 percent of high school students reported sleeping less than eight hours a night. Fifty-one percent of those who slept less than six hours a night reported moderate to severe levels of depression.

Trusted adult connections are lacking. Only 35 percent of students felt they had a trusted adult outside of their family to turn to in times of need.

The Blaine County School District and its community partners implemented several initiatives aimed at addressing those risk factors:

They adjusted homework deadlines to an earlier time—to 9 p.m. from midnight.

They put up posters touting the importance of sleep for teen-agers and brought in a doctor from Boise to discuss sleep for teen-agers.

They introduced the Sources of Strength suicide prevention program at Wood River High School to connect students with trusted adult mentors. The program currently engages 50 youth participants.

Communities for Youth has joined forces with the new Mental Well-Being Initiative to focus on building social connectedness and a sense of belonging for teens through a multitude of community-connecting environments and activities.

“The data from last year’s survey was eye-opening, and it motivated us to take meaningful steps toward supporting our youth,” said Jim Foudy, superintendent of Blaine County School District. “We’re thrilled to see the community come together to prioritize these issues.”

Added Sarah Seppa, director of community health for St. Luke’s Wood River: “We recognize there’s still work to do. That’s why this year’s survey results are so important—they give us a clear picture if we are heading in the right direction, creating programs and policies that support our youth, making this a great community for kids.”

For more information about the survey and ongoing efforts to support youth well-being, visit https://www.communitiesforyouth.org/blainecounty and https://www.slwrf.org/blaine-countys-mental-well-being-initiative/