A bi-annual survey shows that area youth are ahead of national averages in 40 key indicators of wellness, though vaping, marijuana use, and depression are among areas of ongoing concern. The results of the survey—and ideas for ways to move forward—will be the topic of a presentation at the Lace Factory, 161 River Street in Deep River, on Tuesday, May 7 from 6 to 8 p.m.

The student survey, a voluntary Search Institute Development Assessment issued by Tri-Town Youth Services (TTYS) in conjunction with the Tri-Town Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition, was given in January to 710 middle- and high school students in the Region 4 Schools.

This survey, conducted every two years, includes questions about drug use, alcohol use, skipping school, depression and other student life attitudes and behaviors. The study measures 40 developmental assets, which are the main building blocks of character and success markers including personal characteristic traits, external influences, and environmental influences, as well as community and family support, opportunities for leadership, safe and secure boundaries, opportunities for constructive use of time, and opportunities to engage in the community.

“The good news is that the survey showed that the tri-towns have higher asset rates, across all 40 assets, than the national average,” TTYS Executive Director Allison Abramson said. “We have a reduction in substance abuse and other at-risk behaviors, which is also good news, and we have a high rate of achievement, motivation and leadership opportunities in the tri-towns.”

Conversely, Abramson reported that areas in which the survey showed some needed work included community support for youth and youth vaping and marijuana use. The survey also revealed that there is an increase in adolescent rates of depression in the area.

“There are some areas of real concern and we will be working on ways to address those areas and coming up with strategies to help our young people,” said Abramson.

TTYS has invited Joe Markiewicz of Building Stronger Communities to review the survey results with town residents. This event will be hosted by TTYS and Tri-Town Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition to raise awareness about substance use, mental health, and other issues facing adolescents in the community.

The presentation will focus on elevated risk factors and call upon community members to build more protective factors.

“We are very excited,” said Abramson. “This is a great opportunity to have the support from Joe and have him come work with us so we can make progress in the areas we want to work on most.”

In addition to meeting with the community at large, Markiewicz is also scheduled to meet up with Tri-Town Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition on Wednesday morning at 8 a.m. at Camp Hazen to strategize more specific programs for the coalition moving forward over the next 10 to 20 years.

He will also meet with members of the Youth Action Peer Advocates at Valley Regional High School to identify their areas of concern develop ways to help youth make healthier decisions.

Abramson encourages everyone in the community to come to the “community conversation” regardless of whether they have children or not, because, she said, youth are a community concern and it’s up to the community as a whole to help them in any way we can.

“There is a role that we all play in this prevention work,” said Abramson. “I hope we have a good turn out for the talk and that people take advantage of this unique opportunity to hear what the teens are saying and feeling and learn what we all can do to make things better for the youth in our community. This is a wonderful way for us all to change the perception of our youth and let them know that we all do care about them and we hear what they are saying about their lives.”