At the May 7 meeting of the Gorham Town Council, 2023 data results from the state’s Maine Integrated Youth Health Survey (MIYHS) were the subject of a presentation by Gorham resident Brooke Proulx. Proulx, a social worker at Gorham Middle School, presented the results on behalf of Gorham Action Team for Youth (GATY), an unfunded community group of diverse stakeholders whose mission is to reduce risks and improve outcomes for the health of youth in Gorham.
The MIYHS is a statewide health survey that has been conducted every two years by the Maine Departments of Education and Health and Human Services since 2009. The survey is informed by national health surveys, and is carefully designed and calculated to ensure the integrity of the information gathered. The data from the completely anonymous and voluntary survey that is conducted in grades 5-12 classrooms across the state is used to inform local, state and national community health efforts, including prevention and education.
The survey varies by grade level, and may include questions that help deter- mine trends for alcohol, tobacco, marijuana, or vaping use, mental health, bullying, school climate, sexual health and decision making, nutrition and physical activity, as well as Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and protective factors or factors for resilience.
Data presented for Gorham Middle School included responses from 352 grades 6 thru 8 students who elected to take the survey, more than half of the 633 enrolled for the 2023 school year. Of this, the percentage who responded affirmatively when asked about past 30 day use of the following was: alcohol 3%; marijuana 2%; illicit drugs 4%; vaping product 4%. While these percentages are higher than reported use in 2021, the changes are not considered statistically different, and remain below the reported state average of about 5% for each.
39% of Gorham middle schoolers reported that access to alcohol was “sort of” or “very easy” and 17% reported “sort of” or “very easy” access to marijuana. This was up from the 2021 survey, with previous results of 36% and 11% respectively. 7% students reported that they had been offered, sold or given alcohol or illicit drugs on school property in the last 12 months.
Perceptions of middle school students about the potential harm when using marijuana 1-2 times per week caught the attention of the Town Council and audience. In 2021 results, 21% of GMS students believed there was little to no harm in using marijuana 1-2 times per week, but in 2023, 29% of Gorham middle schoolers believed there was little or no potential harm. This is lower than the statewide reported averages of middle school students 38%. GMS students overwhelmingly believe their parents would disapprove of their use of marijuana or of their drinking 1-2 alcoholic beverages every day, with only 3% saying they think their parents would feel it was “not wrong.”
91% of GMS students believe that their families give them love and support, significantly higher than the Maine state average of 84%, however there was a drop in the percentage of students who reported that their parents talk with them about what they are doing at school. While 91% of GMS students answered affirmatively in 2021, this was significantly lower at 82% in the 2023 results. Also significantly lower was the number of students reporting that they were active for 60+ minutes for at least 5 days in a week, down to 50% from 62% in 2021.
Alarmingly, 24% of GMS students reported feeling sad and hopeless for 2 weeks or more in the past year, and 14% of GMS students reported that they seriously considered attempting suicide in the last 12 months. Only 58% of GMS students agree that they feel like they matter to people in the Gorham community.
After the presentation, councilors asked what more can be done to support Gorham youth and GATY’s efforts. Proulx explained that school staff are using this data and best practice information to improve health curriculum when it comes to substance use prevention and decision making. An additional health teacher and required semester course was added to the high school during the 2023-2024 school year, in response to advocacy by students for more of a focus on their health and well-being.
Proulx also asked the council to promote the community events for parents/caregivers that GATY hosts, as they are poorly attended. Previous topics have included: parenting during the risk-taking years; parenting strategies for modern challenges; technology and the adolescent brain; and how to take care of your body and mental health in your high school years. GATY has created a survey, and is asking Gorham residents to share what topics are of interest and what will get them involved in the community effort of supporting healthy youth. The survey can be accessed at https://tinyurl.com/munme2eh.
In addition, GATY hopes to seek support and funding through local, state, and federal grant opportunities to expand their prevention and education efforts. One community member in attendance urged the Town Council to allocate a portion of opioid settlement money, of which Gorham officials anticipate $117,000 a year for ten years, toward the work of GATY.