Fauquier schools looking closely at worrisome statistics

By Alice Felts

The results of a 2006 Communities That Care Youth Survey are worrisome — no more in Fauquier County than elsewhere, perhaps, but worrisome just the same.

More than 4,500 county students responded to a wide selection of questions.

While only 6.8 percent of the 12^th graders reported having attacked someone with intent to harm, 21.5 percent of eighth graders said that they had.

Overall, 4.4 percent of the students surveyed reported that they had carried a gun within a 12-month period, while 0.4 percent admitted that they had taken a gun to school.

In response to the remark, “Sometimes I think that life is not worth it,” ninth graders had the strongest “yes” response, while 6^th graders answered that way the most to the statement, “At times I think I am no good at all.”

Such student responses often trigger professionals to look at mental health issues of youth. Some say that depression can result in violence, such as self-violence by suicide or outward violence with acting-out behaviors.

Alan Rasmussen, part of the area's Teen Suicide Prevention Grant, said that in the Fauquier County area, 30 percent of students have had feelings of depression within the last 12-months. The good news is that depression is a condition which readily responds to treatment.

John Waldeck, director of clinical services for Rappahannock Rapidan Community Services Board, suggests that the percentage of those depressed may even be greater,

“The far majority are being treated by family doctors or private [resources]” he said.

But the problems seem to arise when there is no treatment.

While Waldeck said there were no actual statistics that indicate because a teen is depressed, he or she will be violent, professionals are more aware of such issues since the slayings at Virginia Tech a year ago and at other schools throughout the country. He stresses that teachers need to know about mental health issues, along with family members.

In its efforts to broaden awareness of youth mental health topics, the Mental Health Association of Fauquier County provided Fauquier County Public Schools a three-year grant for a part-time case manager to help families find services.

Mary Schlegel, executive director of MHAFC, said that the need evolved for a mental health specialist who could continue working with students and their families. She said “The missing link was the follow-up.”

George Isidoridy took on that role and began his work in the local high schools. He has now expanded his responsibilities to working with at-risk middle schoolers.

Isidoridy gets referrals from school counselors and school psychologists. He said that he spends time talking with the student and trying to find community resources that will help for the long term.

The case manager said that he sees about 5 to 10 new students each week, and his work load will increase when Kettle Run High School opens in the fall.

Isidoridy said that his cases are mostly high school juniors and seniors, mostly those who have problems with such issues as depression, divorced parents, and relationships.

Mark Vandiviere, a school psychologist based at Liberty High, said that he sees a variety of student needs that are emotional, academic or family-based. With some issues, he said, the students are not necessarily equipped for learning.

When he sees that the issues are broader than school problems and beyond the student's control, he refers them to Isidoridy.

While working with Isidoridy, Vandiviere and fellow colleague John Otallah conduct the survey, Structured Assessment of Violence Risk in Youth with some of their students. Otallah stressed that it is a very comprehensive, empirically-based research tool that is used to identify youth at risk.

Waldeck worries that identifying youth at risk may increase the stigma of getting treatment and actually increase the occurrence of violence.

Yet, “If mental health issues are not treated, [students] are more likely to be dangerous to themselves and others,” he said.

“Treatment saves lives.”

Alan Rasmussen cannot seem to say that enough. “We need to recognize people with mental health problems so that they can get help,” he added.

Some warning signs of mental health problems in adolescents are:

• Decrease in school performance.

• Frequent somatic complaints.

• Marked changes in sleep, energy or appetite.

• Depressed or negative mood.

• Irritability or severe mood swings.

• Inability to cope with routine situations.

• Drug abuse.

• Runaway behavior or threats.

• Self harm or threats.

• Hurting others or threats.

• Frequent outbursts or anger or aggression.

• Consistent violations of others' rights.

• Avoidance of family and usual friends.

• Strange thoughts, beliefs, feelings, or unusual behaviors.

E-mail the reporter: afelts@timespapers.com.