Southington Teens Report High Depression, Suicide Attempt Rates

SOUTHINGTON, CT — A recent study of over 1,300 Southington students revealed that most respondents had felt sad or depressed in the last month, and that nearly one-fifth of them have attempted suicide at least once.

The study was conducted by Southington's Town-Wide Effort to Promote Success (STEPS), a community coalition focused on drug prevention and youth support. STEPS surveyed 1,312 students in grades 7, 9 and 11 in February, and the results were striking.

According to the survey, 80 percent of respondents reported feeling sad or depressed in the last month, and 14 percent reported that they had attempted suicide at least once (11 percent of seventh-graders, 14 percent of ninth-graders, and 17 percent of 11th-graders).

STEPS surveys students in those three grades every two years, Southington Police Department's Deputy Chief Bill Palmieri told WTNH.

To do so, it uses a study called "Profiles of Student Life: Attitudes and Behaviors" that has been used with over 6 million youth worldwide for decades, STEPS officials said.

"We can't discard this information and say, 'well, it's not accurate, the kids are answering questions wrong,' Palmieri said, as reported by WTNH. "This is the perception of our children. If we can prevent one child from attempting suicide, then we have done our job."

The survey did have some positive findings, as well: It revealed that 84 percent of respondents feel they have positive peer influence, and 76 percent reported feeling supported by their families.

To help parents and other stakeholders understand the survey's results, STEPS is hosting a "coffee and conversation" on June 4 at 9 a.m. at Calendar House (388 Pleasant St.).

Additionally, the coalition is conducting a survey of parents and other adults, which can be found here.