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Marathon County Hispanic Students Struggling with Mental Health

Friday, October 21st, 2022 -- 11:01 AM

The newly released results of the Marathon County High School Youth Risk Behavior Survey show Hispanic students in Marathon County are struggling with their mental health at a higher rate compared to their peers.

Nearly all mental health data collected as part of the survey is significantly worse for Hispanic students:

  • Hispanic students are more than twice (15%) as likely to attempt suicide than their white peers (6%);
  • Just over half (58%) of Hispanic students have an adult to talk to at their school, compared to 73% of their white peers;
  • 45% of Hispanic students reported feeling depressed, compared to 27% of their white peers.

The data trend found in the YRBS reflects a larger trend state-wide. According to the Kids Count Data Center, 52% of Hispanic young adults in Wisconsin ages 18-24 experience poor mental health, higher than the national average of 44%.

In its newly released fact sheet in recognition of Hispanic Heritage Month, the Wisconsin Office of Children’s Mental Health highlighted what our families, schools, providers, and communities can do to make a difference:

  • Families can talk openly about mental health and learn how mental health affects a child’s overall health;
  • Schools can ensure students are connected to at least one adult in the school and recruit staff who are Hispanic and bilingual;
  • Providers can engage in cultural competency training to understand the role of familismo and generational trauma on mental health;
  • Communities can offer resources to support mental health that celebrate Hispanic culture.

Tony Gonzalez, Executive Director of the American-Hispanic Association (A-HA), adds, “Latino students need written and visual resources that are culturally appropriate.” He encourages schools and organizations to reach out to A-HA when sharing information for the Hispanic community to ensure it will reach the target audience.

For more information on children’s mental health resources and tools for families, schools, and communities, visit https://children.wi.gov/Pages/Resources/OCMHTools.aspx.

Feel free to contact us with questions and/or comments.