State of Our Youth

Youth substance use is everyone's responsibility and we must fight it together as a community.

Youth substance misuse is everyone's responsibility, and we must work together as a community to help our youth.  FHN has been the recipient of the Illinois Department of Human Services Substance Use Prevention Services (SUPS) grant.  The grant provides funding for community and school based programs to help decrease youth alcohol and other substances misuse.  Some of the services include comprehensive communication campaigns and multi session youth prevention education in the local schools.

Every two years, schools throughout the state have the opportunity to participate in the Illinois Youth Survey (IYS) for students in 8th, 10th, and 12th grade. The majority of schools in Jo Daviess and Stephenson County choose to participate in the confidential self-report survey.

The IYS provides schools and local health agencies current data from students to understand youth attitudes and behaviors that can impact social problems and academic success. The survey covers a variety of topics including bullying, physical activity, nutrition, substance use/misuse, perceptions of school climate, and mental health.

The IYS data is used by schools to help plan prevention programming to help reduce youth alcohol and drug misuse and also for grant funding opportunities. The schools can share the IYS data with local coalitions and other stakeholders to encourage and support collaborative efforts. 

Research over the years has identified the following risk factors for underage age alcohol and other substance misuse: antisocial behaviors, perceptions of peer substance use, low perceived risk of harm, poor family-youth relationships, and parental acceptance of substance use, school absenteeism, and availability and marketing of substances to youth.

Prevention strategies focus on evidence based protective factors which include: self-efficacy to say no to substance misuse, future college aspirations, peer disapproval, involvement in sports and physical activity, parental monitoring, perceived parental trust, school belonging and involvement, authoritative school environment, and community norms that discourage youth substance use.

FHN is proud to be the recipient of the SUPS grant and to be able to partner with our local schools and community to provide prevention services. 

Stephenson County Illinois Youth Survey
Jo Daviess County Illinois Youth Survey

To receive up-to-date news regarding the Illinois Youth Survey, Like and Follow the Illinois Youth Survey Facebook page. Please share it with people and organizations that are interested in getting the facts about youth substance use and other issues affecting youth in Illinois.

For more information on these surveys, visit Illinois Youth Survey.


Resources

FHN's Community Resource Database will Connect the D.O.T.S. (Doors of Team Support) and lead you to community organizations that are here to help.

Addictions.com
Illinois Poison Center
National Alliance on Mental Illness
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
Learn to Live Above the Influence
National Prevention Week

Alcohol
Parents: Prevent Childhood Alcohol Use
Underage Drinking: Myth Vs. Facts
Facts on Underage Drinking
Underage Drinking
Jo Daviess County Underage Drinking Parent Communications Executive Report
Be a "Pizza" the Solution to Underage Drinking
Underage Drinking: What Parents Need to Know
Addiction Happens in the 'Best' of Families
How to Deal with Parent Drinking Problem

Bullying
Stop Bullying on the Spot
Someone is Bullying Me
Prevent Bullying in Schools

Drugs
Narcotics Anonymous
Know the Risks of Marijuana
Marijuana: The Risks Are Real
Know the Facts About Drugs
Drugged Driving
National Drug and Alcohol Facts Week
Tips for Teens: The Truth About Marijuana
Tips for Teens: The Truth About Methamphetamine

Mental Health
Mental Illness and Substance Use in Young Adults
Mental Health in Teens and Young Adults
Managing a Mental Health Condition in College
Aquin HS Poster: Anxiety
Aquin HS Poster: Depression
Aquin HS Poster: Eating Disorders
Entering Adulthood: Getting Help with Mental Health and Substance Abuse
How to Help a Friend
Taking Charge of Your Mental Health
Getting the Right Start to Mental Health Care

Prescription Medication
One Pill Can Kill : Counterfeit Medications
Safe Disposal Instructions for Unused Medications
Drop-Off Locations for Unused Medications
Proper Needle and Sharps Disposal Locations
Tips for Teens: The Truth About Opioids
Educational Resources to Prevent Prescription Medication Misuse

Smoking
Smoking Can Cause Cancer Anywhere in Your Body
Tips for Teens: The Truth About Tobacco Use

Suicide
988 Fact Sheet
988 Fact Sheet en Espanol
How To Take Care Of Yourself
Resource Guide for Suicide
Aquin HS Poster: Suicide Prevention
Preventing Suicide: A Toolkit for High Schools

Vaping
Teens and Vaping
How Do Vaping Devices Work
Teens E-cigarette Use Doubles
Help Your Teen Avoid Drug-laced Food
Resource Guide for Reducing Vaping Among Youth
Tips For Teens: The Truth About E-cigarettes
Vaping and Marijuana Concentrates


Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
 

National Helpline

SUP

Connect the D.O.T.S.

FHN’s Community Resource Database