A new spotlight from Common Ground Health-Rochester RHIO, “So Much More Than Academics: School-Based Opportunities to Address Self-Harm Among Youth,” highlights alarming trends in youth mental health and calls for immediate action across schools, families, and communities.
The spotlight reveals that emergency department visits for intentional self-harm among youth in the Finger Lakes region have surged dramatically over the past two decades. In 2023, self-harm was the leading behavioral health-related reason for emergency department visits among youth ages 6–21. Disturbingly, 71% of those youth returned for additional behavioral health treatment within the same year.
This spotlight draws on findings from Common Ground’s Monroe County Behavioral Health Needs Assessment, released earlier this year. “We need to identify kids earlier, before they are in crisis mode,” states the assessment, which pinpoints youth mental health as a critical priority.
Key findings in the spotlight include:
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1 in 3 high school students reported difficulty with concentrating or making decisions because of mental or emotional challenges
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1 in 4 high school students reported feeling so sad or hopeless they stopped doing their usual activities.
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1 in 10 seriously considered attempting suicide in the past year.
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Emergency department visits for self-harm increased among all age groups including children ages 6–13, whose rate in 2021-2023 was 5.7 times the rate in 2006-2008.
The report emphasizes that schools are uniquely positioned to provide early intervention and prevention. Evidence-based strategies such as Community Schools, Social Emotional Learning (SEL), and Restorative Practices can help create safe, supportive environments that foster resilience and belonging—protective factors against self-harm.
“Educators play a crucial role in helping every student feel seen and valued and build a toolbox of key social emotional skills,” said Elizabeth Devaney, director of the Whole Child Connection at the Children’s Institute, who consulted on the spotlight. “They can create connections through routines and activities that promote intention and inclusion. When students feel like they belong and have the skills to build relationships and self-advocate, they are more likely to reach out for help when they need it and be able to handle the big challenges they are facing every day.”
Reducing intentional self-harm among youth requires proactive, compassionate, and community-centered responses. Schools cannot shoulder this responsibility alone. Families, educators, and community organizations must work together to embed emotional well-being into the fabric of daily life.
“This spotlight reflects what we continue to hear from families, educators, and community partners working closely with youth," said Greater Rochester Health Foundation President & CEO Matt Kuhlenbeck. "We are grateful to learn from them and support their efforts with the hope that these findings help uplift the local wisdom and work already happening to ensure that every child feels supported and cared for.”
Research for the Behavioral Health Needs Assessment and spotlight was supported by state Senator Samra Brouk (SD-55), state Assemblywoman Sarah Clark (AD-136), and the Greater Rochester Health Foundation.
“As Chair of the Senate Mental Health Committee, I recognize that New York State is still in the midst of a mental health crisis,” Senator Brouk said. “Early intervention can change lifelong outcomes – that’s why I helped fund Common Ground’s Behavioral Health Needs Assessment to help identify Monroe County’s most pressing mental health needs and take action to help our community members before they are in crisis. I have long advocated for our young people by passing 988, the Student Lifeline Act, and hosting my annual Youth Mental Health roundtables. These findings remind us that we need continued investments to ensure that our younger New Yorkers are safe, supported, and empowered to thrive.”
"The youth mental health crisis in our community is very real. Common Ground Health’s report sends a clear message that too many children in our community are struggling in silence,” Clark said. “The reality is terrifying, 10% of kids in Monroe County have seriously considered suicide, and emergency room visits for youth self harm are up more than 500% in the last 2 decades. We must take this data and act on it in a meaningful way that ensures all our children have the right supports needed to thrive. Thank you to Common Ground Heath for your leadership on this issue and your commitment to our community and our children."
The full spotlight report and the Behavioral Health Needs Assessment are available at https://www.commongroundhealth.org.