Agenda - 02-01-1993 - III-B - Laserfiche WebLink

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6 counties for the rate of AIDS cases. Sexually transmitted diseases, especially AIDS, are of increasing concern for our adolescent population. Nutrition The nutritional needs of adolescents have become of significant concern as evidence indicates that children are more sedentary, fatter, less fit with immediate and long-term health consequences. It is estimated that eighteen percent of adolescents in Orange County are obese. Additionally, more adolescents are developing eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa and bulimia. The prevalence of obesity ,anorexia and bulimia among U.S. females ages 15-19 is 22%, 0.5% and 2.0%, respectively. Mental Health Despite the lack of baseline data to support advocating for the mental heath needs of adolescents in Orange County there is substantial anecdotal evidence to warrant the need for more mental health services. In four years of service at the Adolescent Clinic in the OCHD, it has become apparent that a substantial proportion of adolescents seeking care for medical problems suffer from psychological problems serious enough to warrant mental health treatment. It is the most prevalent issue not adequately addressed by the present health care system. In the school based Adolescents in Need project, the majority of adolescents followed on a regular basis have mental health problems causing significant morbidity. Problems range from post-traumatic stress syndrome secondary to the aftermath of physical or sexual abuse, loneliness, depression, suicidal ideations, loss of a parent through divorce or death, family dysfunction secondary to alcoholism, depression, schizophrenia and school truancy. In a review of forty four ongoing cases by school psychologist in Northern Orange County, forty three percent of clients were being followed for depression and suicidal ideations. During the present school year, in Northern Orange County, there have been two hospitalizations of adolescents for suicidal ideations and depression and one completed suicide in a child with known mental health problems. In Southern Orange County, three children, from three different schools were admitted for inpatient treatment of a mental health problem within the same week. Finally, over 900 contacts were made to a students involved in a Peer Helper Program (PHP) during an eight month period. Referrals were diverse with many centering around sexuality, loss/grief, depression, stress, academic pressure and relationships. Nationally, the prevalence rate for emotional and behavioral problems among urban and rural youth, aged 12 to 17, is 19.1% and 16.5%, respectively.Anecdotal evidence indicates that the mental health needs of adolescents in Orange County are diverse and unmet with the present system of care. Substance Abuse Tobacco and alcohol are the primary drugs abused by North Carolina youth. One out of every four North Carolina adolescents uses cigarettes or smokeless tobacco on a regular basis compared to one out of ten who use marijuana, cocaine or other drugs besides alcohol. According to a 1987 survey, drug use among North Carolina youth was found to be equal to or exceed the national average with almost 13 percent of students reported coming to school drunk or high at least once in the previous year. It is estimated that twenty percent of all students in the school system are projected to have or develop a problem with chemical dependency, serious enough to warrant intervention. A Student Assistance Program (SAP) in Southern Orange County Schools serves students for whom chemical dependency is a real or potential obstacle to personal or academic success. This past year 227 students were referred to SAP with twice as many white females being referred than the previous year and five students at one of the middle schools were referred for in-patient care. Substance abuse is a common problem in adolescents in Orange County and warrants further organized efforts at prevention and recovery.