Skip to content
CapRadio

CapRadio

signal status listen live donate
listen live donate signal status
listen live donate signal status
  • News
    • topics
    • State Government
    • Environment
    • Health Care
    • Race and Equity
    • Business
    • Arts and Lifestyle
    • Food and Sustainability
    • PolitiFact California
  • Music
    • genres
    • Classical
    • Jazz
    • Eclectic
    • Daily Playlist
  • Programs + Podcasts
    • news
    • Morning Edition
    • All Things Considered
    • Marketplace
    • Insight With Vicki Gonzalez
    • music
    • Acid Jazz
    • At the Opera
    • Classical Music
    • Connections
    • Excellence in Jazz
    • Hey, Listen!
    • K-ZAP on CapRadio
    • Mick Martin's Blues Party
    • Programs A-Z
    • Podcast Directory
  • Schedules
    • News
    • Music
    • ClassicalStream
    • JazzStream
    • Weekly Schedule
    • Daily Playlist
  • Community
    • Events Calendar
    • CapRadio Garden
    • CapRadio Reads
    • Ticket Giveaways
  • Support
    • Evergreen Gift
    • One-Time Gift
    • Corporate Support
    • Vehicle Donation
    • Stock Gift
    • Legacy Gift
    • Endowment Gift
    • Benefits
    • Member FAQ
    • e‑Newsletter
    • Drawing Winners
    • Thank You Gifts
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Close Menu
 We Get Support From:
Become a Supporter 
 We Get Support From:
Become a Supporter 
  • Health Care
  • State Government
  •  

Survey: California School Kids Safer, Depression Risk ‘High’

  •  Ed Joyce 
Monday, July 18, 2016 | Sacramento, CA
Listen
/
Update RequiredTo play audio, update browser or Flash plugin.
Capital Public Radio / File

Drug and alcohol use dropped among students in California and school safety increased, according to the results of a statewide survey. But the report shows indicators of depression risk are "at disturbingly high levels."

Capital Public Radio / File

Results of a statewide survey of California school kids shows safety has improved and drug use is down. But the report also points out that depression risk remains "disturbingly high" among seventh, ninth and eleventh graders.

The California Healthy Kids Survey evaluates how well schools met students’ needs for school safety, drug and alcohol prevention, mental health, and other factors that influence learning. 

The California Department of Education and the California Department of Health Care Services coordinated the report, which takes a random sample of seventh, ninth, and eleventh graders statewide. 

Latest results show decreases in alcohol and marijuana use since the previous survey in 2011–13, particularly among eleventh graders. Current use of alcohol, binge drinking, and marijuana use among eleventh graders decreased.

071816 HEALTHYKIDS-inbed

About 20 percent across all grades reported seeing someone carrying a weapon on school property, down about 4-to-8 percent. The report says, of all questions related to school violence and safety, this was the biggest change. 

Participation in a physical fight also decreased in all grades, and indicators of physical victimization generally decreased. 

But the report notes that "results for two indicators of depression risk in the past 12 months showed little change at disturbingly high levels." 

Results show that "feelings of incapacitating, chronic sadness or hopelessness were reported by 26 percent of 7th graders, 32 percent of 9th graders and 34 percent of 11th graders. 

And, "nearly one-fifth of the high school students had seriously contemplated suicide." 

"About one-fifth of students across grades reported they had experienced cyber bullying in the past 12 months (spreading mean rumors or lies on the internet)," the report says. "This was an improvement of 3-4 points among high school students."

"This is the largest statewide survey in the nation and increases our understanding of how students feel about school and how they rank their school environment," State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson says. "The more we can meet the needs of the whole child, including their social and emotional health, the more we can help them succeed on their way to 21st century careers and college."

The survey has been conducted every two years since 1985 and is intended to help state educators and health professionals improve services for students.


Follow us for more stories like this

CapRadio provides a trusted source of news because of you.  As a nonprofit organization, donations from people like you sustain the journalism that allows us to discover stories that are important to our audience. If you believe in what we do and support our mission, please donate today.

Donate Today  

    Related Stories

  • iStock image - UC Berkeley / Courtesy

    Study: Chemicals From Firefighting Foam In Drinking Water

    Tuesday, August 9, 2016
    A new study shows fire-fighting foam containing highly fluorinated chemicals is contaminating drinking water supplies around many of the nation's military bases, airports and industrial sites.
  • David Slipher / Courtesy UC Davis

    Pigeon 'Whisperers' Use Birds To Track Lead Pollution

    Wednesday, July 20, 2016
    A UC Davis researcher has used pigeons to track lead pollution in New York City and plans to do the same in California cities and agricultural areas.
  • Wikipedia

    California Faculty Strike Averted, Terms Of Deal Pending

    Thursday, April 7, 2016
    UPDATE April 8, 7:30 a.m. : (AP) - California State University officials and the union that represents campus faculty are scheduled to reveal the terms Friday of a salary agreement that averted an unprecedented strike at the 23 campuses.
  • Wikimedia / Courtesy

    Arrests Made In Connection To Franklin High School Social Media Threat

    Friday, January 29, 2016
    Sacramento Sheriff's Department arrested two people in connection to the social media threat made by an Elk Grove Unified School District high school student.
  • Adolfo Guzman-Lopez / KPCC

    Next Phase For CFA, CSU Contract Negotiations

    Thursday, January 28, 2016
    The next phase of salary negotiations between the California State University system and the California Faculty Association is underway.
  • Andrew Nixon / Capital Public Radio / File

    One Student Killed, Another Injured In Shooting Near Grant Union High School

    Saturday, November 14, 2015
    UPDATE: A meeting and march is planned for Tuesday after a student athlete was killed and another was injured Friday afternoon near Grant Union High School. The two were shot as they and teammates were returning to school for a football team meeting.
  • joeshlabotnik / Flickr

    California To Make Cheerleading Official High School Sport

    Thursday, October 8, 2015
    (AP) - Gov. Jerry Brown has approved legislation to make competitive cheerleading an official high school sport in California.
  • Andrew Nixon / Capital Public Radio

    Brown Waives Exit Exam Requirement For 5,000 High School Grads

    Wednesday, August 26, 2015
    Gov. Jerry Brown has signed urgency legislation waiving the requirement that this year’s seniors pass California’s high school exit exam to graduate. The law allows the graduation of 5,000 students left in limbo when the state canceled its July test.
  • Rocklin Police Department

    3 Arrested After Social Media Scare At Rocklin High School

    Friday, May 30, 2014
    Police say they've made several arrests in connection to a possible social media threat made against Rocklin High School.

 educationcaliforniahealthhealth caredepressionbullyingschool violence

Ed Joyce

Former All Things Considered Anchor & Reporter

Ed Joyce is a former reporter and All Things Considered news anchor at Capital Public Radio. Ed is a veteran journalist with experience in a variety of news positions across all media platforms, including radio, television, web and print.   Read Full Bio 

Coronavirus Newsletter

Get answers to your questions, the latest updates and easy access to the resources you need, delivered to your inbox.

 

Want to know what to expect? Here's a recent newsletter.

Thanks for subscribing!

We'll send you weekly emails so you can stay informed about the coronavirus in California.

Browse all newsletters

More Health Care Stories

Justin Sullivan / Getty Images

The federal government is offering another round of free COVID tests

May 16, 2022

Scott Olson/Getty Images

FDA authorizes first COVID booster for children ages 5 to 11

May 17, 2022

AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli, File

Sacramento-area schools seeing rise in COVID-19 cases, but don’t plan to require masks again

May 17, 2022

Most Viewed

Downtown Sacramento shooting: What we know and latest updates

Top California Democrats in a stalemate over gas rebates

U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla will appear on California’s June primary ballot twice. Here’s why.

With California budget surplus projected at $97 billion, Newsom proposes driver rebates, more reproductive health funding

Understanding How A California Bill Dies Without Public Debate

We Get Support From:
Become a Supporter

Most Viewed

Downtown Sacramento shooting: What we know and latest updates

Top California Democrats in a stalemate over gas rebates

U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla will appear on California’s June primary ballot twice. Here’s why.

With California budget surplus projected at $97 billion, Newsom proposes driver rebates, more reproductive health funding

Understanding How A California Bill Dies Without Public Debate

Back to Top

  • CapRadio

    7055 Folsom Boulevard
    Sacramento, CA 95826-2625

    • (916) 278-8900
    • Toll-free (877) 480-5900
    • Email Us
    • Submit a News Tip
  • Contact Us

  • About Us

    • Contact Us / Feedback
    • Coverage
    • Directions
    • Careers & Internships
    • Mission / Vision / Core Values
    • Press
    • Staff Directory
    • Board of Directors
  • Listening Options

    • Mobile App
    • On Air Schedules
    • Smart Speakers
    • Playlist
    • Podcasts
    • RSS
  • Connect With Us

    •  Facebook
    •  Twitter
    •  Instagram
    •  YouTube
  • Donate

  • Listen

  • Newsletters

CapRadio stations are licensed to California State University, Sacramento. © 2022, Capital Public Radio. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Website Feedback FCC Public Files: KXJZ KKTO KUOP KQNC KXPR KXSR KXJS. For assistance accessing our public files, please call 916-278-8900 or email us.