The United Way of Door County’s STRIDE program is doing what it can to help provide mental health services to children in the area, but it may just be the tip of the iceberg regarding the issue statewide. The Wisconsin Office of Children’s Mental Health recently released some troubling statistics as it tries to tackle the issue that has only grown in the last five years. More than half of the state’s youth have been diagnosed with depression, anxiety, or behavioral problems, according to the office, which also found that more than a third of high school students reportedly feel sad and hopeless. Declining childcare enrollment, increases in screen time, the pandemic, and other factors are to blame for the high numbers. STRIDE Coordinator Cami Peggar says the statistics certainly point to why their work is so important and why they cannot slow down anytime soon.

The Wisconsin Office of Children’s Mental Health credits school-based, peer-led programs in place at over 300 school districts to having a positive impact on students when it comes to suicide prevention and overall mental health wellness.