Wisconsin youth face mental health challenges linked to drugs and alcohol, social media and other factors

As Wisconsin youth face mental health challenges linked to drug and alcohol abuse, economic stressors, social media and more, experts say more efforts are needed to address these factors. 

Panelists weighed in on these challenges yesterday during a WisPolitics + WisBusiness Health Care Report virtual luncheon, which follows the recent release of the latest annual report from the state Office of Children’s Mental Health. The office highlights concerns around anxiety, depression, self-harm and suicidal thoughts among kids in Wisconsin — all of which are on the rise. 

Several of the speakers underlined the role of near-constant technology use, highlighting social media in particular, as it enables cyberbullying as well as exposure to lifestyles that aren’t healthy or attainable. Debbie Patz, vice president of Bellin Psychiatric Center at Emplify Health, says adolescents are now “expected to grow up sooner,” noting the increased emphasis on career readiness at an earlier age. 

Maureen Busalacchi, director of the Division of Alcohol Policy Prevention and Research at the Medical College of Wisconsin, argued “there’s a lot more that we need to do” to create a better environment for kids. She also runs the Wisconsin Alcohol Policy Project. 

“I know there’s challenges in terms of the amount of advertising that kids are seeing, and sort of the lifestyle that is kind of put out there a lot of times on social media … you know, glorifying alcohol and drug use and those kinds of things are not helpful for our kids,” she said. 

But Erich Pfeifer, president and CEO of Marine Travelift in Sturgeon Bay, noted “it’s not all digital and social media,” emphasizing the importance of kids’ basic needs being met. Pfeifer is on the corporate board for the Boys & Girls Club of the Bay & Lakes Region. 

“That’s also a really critical piece, you know, with making sure youth have good meals, a positive environment,” he said. “And with inflation and everything getting more expensive, parents having to work harder, more hours, multiple jobs, that’s all part of it.” 

The discussion touched on the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has been linked to higher rates of anxiety and depression among U.S. youth. Mary Pfeiffer, the former Neenah Joint School District superintendent and a supporter of efforts by Bridge & Build Wisconsin, said many kids actually “thrived” during this period as they spent time with structured, caring families. Bridge & Build is staging a March 17 youth summit at Lambeau Field to tackle the issue.

“But there are also … young children and people in general affected by spending time alone, or in a chaotic and sometimes abusive and [neglectful] family,” she said. Pfeiffer added “if basic needs are met, people can get through a lot of things. And if they’re not met, the most vulnerable are really going to be struggling.” 

In Wisconsin, all of these trends are playing out within a culture of widespread alcohol consumption. Busalacchi said youth in the state are more comfortable with binge drinking than those living elsewhere. While overall rates of underage drinking have dropped, she said kids’ perceptions about alcohol and drug use can be a major driver for related mental health challenges. 

She noted studies have found if kids try alcohol for the first time before age 12, their lifetime alcohol dependence rate is 41%. When that rises to age 18, that percentage drops to 17%. To reduce the rates of alcohol, tobacco and drug addiction, “we really have to pay attention” to how often kids are using these substances, she said. 

She also raised the issue of retailers selling alcohol to underage customers, advocating for more alcohol age compliance checks and noting the importance of how communities deal with underage drinking. 

“Between 9-10% of our sales are to youth in our state and across the country, so we do have an issue with retailers selling to kids, and that sends a message,” she said, adding “it’s really important that we really think about that locally as well as the state.” 

Meanwhile, Patz said a recent legislative change is already making a difference in how care providers can help young people facing a mental health crisis. She noted a Wisconsin law signed in April allows children covered by Medicaid to be hospitalized in freestanding psychiatric hospitals when needed. 

“Prior to that, that was not a reimbursable service, so that is a huge change,” she said. “And we need to continue to look at where there are limitations for our children, for our youth to receive mental health services, and we need to make sure they are reimbursable.” 

Watch the video