Behavioral Health Risk Indicators

Data Provider: NYS Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services

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Related Indicators:

• BH - Students Grades 1-6 with a Special Education BH Challenge Code [view data]
• BH - Suspension/Expulsion/Removal Events among BH Students [view data]
• BH - Students Grade 3 Not Scoring Proficient in English Language Arts [view data]
• BH - Students Grade 3 Not Scoring Proficient in Math [view data]
• BH - Students Grades 1-6 Receiving Free or Reduced-price Lunch [view data]

Life Area:

Behavioral Health Risk Indicators

Definition:

Behavioral health is a state of mental/emotional being and/or actions that affect wellness. It includes topics such as mental health and substance abuse. Behavioral health risk idicators can provide insight into the social-emotional development among children and youth. Youth who demonstrate healthy social-emotional development are less likely to engage in substance use and other risky behaviors. Understanding the level of risk of youth amongst various influences can be helpful in planning for behavioral health promotion services and efforts to improve social-emotional development competencies that improve population health and wellness. This impact reflects the importance of prevention efforts. Indicator of behavioral health risks include: 

1. Number and percent of students in grades 1-6 with at least one Special Education Challenge code related to mental states, emotions or actions (i.e., Autism Spectrum Disorders, Emotional Disturbance, Learning Disability, Intellectual Disability, Other Health Impairment and Multiple Disabilities).
2. Number and rate of school suspensions/expulsions/removals per 1,000 students in grades K-12 with at least one New York State Education Department Special Education Challenge code related to mental states, emotions or actions (see above).
3. Number and percent of students in grade 3 not scoring at the proficient level in English Language Arts (ELA).
4. Number and percent of students in grade 3 not scoring at the proficient level in math.
5. Number and percent of students in grades 1-6 receiving free or reduced-price lunch.
6. Number and percent of students who are chronically absent (i.e., miss 10% or more of the days for which they are enrolled). NOTE: this is displayed in the Education Life Area of KWIC] 

Significance:

Behavioral health promotion and disorder prevention efforts are designed to reduce a common set of core risk factors and strengthen protective factors to reduce multiple behavioral disorders, including substance abuse, conduct disorders, anxiety disorders and depression. These indicators can be part of needs assessments to improve data-driven decision making efforts. Health planners can use them to identify those communities at highest risk and prevalence for behavioral disorders and plan for social-emotional development improvement interventions that promote improved behavioral health and well-being.