Public Shows Support for SHARP Investigation, But State Board of Education Not Fully Involved – St George News

st. George — Despite public support for student health risk prevention studies, the Utah Board of Education is not entirely confident the results are 100% reliable.

However, as a result of a four-hour meeting in Salt Lake City, a revised “information letter” about SHARP’s research will be sent to parents and local educational institutions. This included reformatting the letter to include the terms and topics included in the research.

Grades 6 and 8, and high school sophomores and seniors are taken every two years. Results reveal trends regarding mental health, drug use, alcohol use, and more.

Public comments were received in person and online from several Utah residents during the two-day conference in Salt Lake City. Many expressed their full support for the SHARP investigation. This included Debra Cole, who appeared in person.

“Now is the time when we need information from Sharp’s research to prevent crises and do more than respond to crises,” Cole said.

Debra Cole comments in support of the SHARP investigation before the Utah Board of Education on October 6, 2022.Photo Credit: Utah State Board of Education, St. George News

Cole said last year that the American Academy of Pediatrics, the Children’s Hospital Association, and the American Academy of Pediatrics issued “urgent” warnings about the mental health crisis for young people in this country. I told him how I had issued the order. Childhood and Adolescent Psychiatry. Together, this means he represents over 77,000 doctors and about 200 children’s hospitals.

“For many young people at risk, Sharp’s research helps them feel that they have a voice, that their voice is heard, and that what they are going through can make a difference. “This is especially important for many of the invisible minorities who often feel they have no other place to be heard.”

Benny Larson, representing himself as a parent and co-chair of the Utah Suicide Prevention Coalition, explains how the organization uses the data it collects to help young people with mental health needs, especially suicidal thoughts. She spoke of the need for data to help secure funding for state suicide prevention programs and the need for data from national organizations that fund such efforts. We talked about need.

“We are concerned and aware that asking students about sensitive issues can be harmful,” Larson said. Asking about problems does not give students ideas or engage them in unhealthy behavior, including suicidal thoughts.”

Benny Larson of the Utah Suicide Prevention Coalition comments in support of the SHARP investigation before the Utah Board of Education on Oct. 6, 2022.Photo Credit: Utah State Board of Education, St. George News

Equality Utah’s Marina Lowe, who represents LGBTQ+ youth, endorsed the SHARP study. The Washington County School District previously voiced its support for the SHARP investigation to her St. George News.

But Monica Wilbur, a single parent, thanked the state school board for its full support and encouraged a complete abolition of the survey. claimed to have multiple dangers and drawbacks.

“Let the children control their minds,” she finished her comment.

SHARP is divided into two questionnaires, the Prevention Needs Assessment and the Youth Risk Behavior Survey. Terminology for the use of the results of these assessments has been added as follows:

The original information letter to parents referred to mental health, drug use, tobacco use, alcohol use, school safety, antisocial behavior, and endangered behavior. , gender identity, sexual orientation, mental health, suicide, and gang involvement. .

Discussions on the effectiveness of the SHARP survey will continue at the next board meeting in Salt Lake City, November 3-4.

SHARP is authorized and directed by the Utah Department of Health and Human Services in cooperation with the Utah Board of Education.

Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2022, all rights reserved.

Nick Yamashita has extensive small town media experience covering a variety of subjects and events for Virgin River Times and Southern Nevada Progress. Before his career in journalism, he held various jobs in the criminal justice system. Yamashita holds a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice and a Master’s degree in Interdisciplinary Studies from Southern Utah University. He is an award-winning photographer and writer. He has been published in his academic papers and poetry collections. In his spare time, he practices and teaches martial arts.