The 'choking game,' psychological distress an...(with 31 percent of students reporting sy...),Health

Date:5/1/2008

with 31 percent of students reporting symptoms of depression, anxiety or social dysfunction. In addition, about 21 percent of students visited a mental health professional a least once during the past year. This is a significant increase from 2005, when only 12 percent of students reported visits.

This is an encouraging sign, commented Dr. Rehm, as it shows, that psychological and mental health problems are less stigmatized, and students and their families become increasingly aware that professional services can help overcome these problems.

Bullying continues to be a problem with Ontario youth, with stable but elevated rates of approximately 30 percent of students reporting being bullied at school since September. The most prevalent form of being bullied is verbal attacks (23 percent), while four percent are bullied physically, and three percent are usually victims of theft or vandalism.

The report points to the key role parents and teachers play in the development of adolescents. Bullying continues to be a problem in our schools and can have significant effects on the mental health and well-being of adolescents, says Dr. Wolfe. It is crucial that schools find ways to address these forms of abuse and violence, so that students feel safe. Young people need to know that the lines of communication are open and they can speak to school administrators and parents about their problems. And similarly, parents need to be open and honest with kids and arm them with the necessary tools to make healthy decisions."

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Contact: Michael Torres michael_torres@camh.net 416-595-6015 Centre for Addiction and Mental Health Source:Eurekalert

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