Submitted by The Coalition for Orcas Youth.

The Coalition for Orcas Youth wishes to acknowledge Orcas, San Juan and Lopez Island 6th-12th grade students who completed the Washington State Healthy Youth Survey this fall. It is with appreciation and gratitude that we recognize the efforts of those students who took the time to share their voices. A big thank you is also due to the support staff, teachers and administrators who made each school’s completion of the survey possible.

This statewide survey focuses on health behaviors and factors that influence young people’s ability to thrive. It asks questions about a wide range of topics, including mental health, diet, violence prevalence, and the use of alcohol, tobacco, cannabis and other drugs. The information that students share allows districts to create realistic profiles of their community’s strengths and weaknesses pertaining to a range of factors influencing youth health. Survey language is straightforward to accurately measure the degree to which youth are engaging in both healthy and risky behaviors. Orcas freshman Kristian Freeman explained after completing this year’s survey, “It helps more people become aware of the problems people need help with”.

All Washington public schools can participate in the survey, which requires 50 minutes, or a class period for students to complete. Participation is voluntary, with administration procedures designed to protect anonymity. The survey is an invaluable tool for communities seeking to make data-driven decisions about how to best empower and serve their young people.

“These survey results reveal a vital pulse on how our young people are doing. The information it contains about mental wellbeing, how supported youth feel by their community, not to mention attitudes and behaviors around alcohol and other drug use— we can’t do our work responsibly without it”, shared Funhouse Commons Prevention Services Manager and Project Manager of the Coalition for Orcas Youth, Trillium Swanson.

Orcas High school Junior Aida Hernadez-Cruz shared, “the point of the survey is probably to see where students are struggling— to see how the community can help kids. I answered the questions honestly”. She has been taking the survey since 6th grade.

The results will be available in March 2022 and will help public schools monitor factors that affect the health of youth in the San Juans and across Washington State. The Coalition for Orcas Youth will collaborate with community partners to provide resources and prioritize important health issues that have been identified through Orcas School District’s assessment. Visit www.AskHYS.net to learn more.