The 2026 Global School-Based Student Health Survey has painted an alarming picture of the state of Jamaican children surveyed with the data showing “an increase in suicidal ideation and attempts” by students in grades nine to 11 with girls outstripping boys in both thinking about the act and attempting it.

According to researchers, in comparing the 2010, 2017 and 2026 survey results, “mental health indicators have worsened over time with more students reporting suicidal thoughts, suicidal planning, suicide attempts, anxiety and depression”.

With a sample size of 3,058 students between grades 7 and 12 the survey administered questionnaires where the children were quizzed on their behaviours over the past seven days, the past 30 days, and the past 12 months.

The study, which was officially released on Wednesday morning by Health Minister Dr Christopher Tufton in collaboration with representatives of the National Council and Drug Abuse, found that suicidal thoughts were highest among grade 11 students with 36.6 per cent of girls saying they had thought about killing themselves as against 23.1 per cent of boys.

Chillingly it said, 32.4 per cent of grade nine girls, 21.8 per cent of grade eight boys, and 21.5 per cent of grade eight boys reported that they attempted to end their lives since this year.

In the meantime anxiety was highest among grade 10 girls with 46.2 per cent experiencing this, and 16.8 per cent of their grade 11 male peers.

Girls again led the way in reporting depression, with the highest numbers being among grade 11 students where 47.8 per cent of girls and 23.8 per cent of boys said they experienced this.

According to the experts, “If current trends persist, several critical challenges threaten adolescent well-being” across three primary areas.

“First, rising adolescent mental health crises involve escalating rates of emotional distress, feelings of hopelessness and self-harm risk indicating that early action matters,” the experts said.

Secondly they said, “Untreated distress negatively affects school engagement, interpersonal relationships, and substance use risks, demonstrating that untreated problems today lead to greater harm tomorrow”.

“Third, stigma and limited services delay professional help-seeking due to barriers like social judgement, restricted access and long wait times emphasising that early support saves lives” the experts said.

TUFTON… officially released the 2026 Global School-Based Student Health Survey Wednesday morning (Photo: Garfield Robinson)

According to researchers, to address the issues several questions must be raised including about the extent to which school-based mental health initiatives address early screening and timely referrals, the clarity of suicide prevention pathways between home, school and community and the impact and scope of the expansion of access to adolescent mental health services.

In the meantime an assessment of social media use and screen time found that “most students have a mobile phone and use it for online activities”. According to the data 87.4 per cent of students surveyed have a mobile phone, 77.5 per cent use their devices for social media/online communication or Internet browsing, while 67. 2 per cent spend three-plus hours of screen time on an average school day. Interestingly, only 39 per cent said their parents or guardians have rules about social media use.

The researchers, in noting that the “high levels of screen time highlight the importance of digital balance and supportive rules” said this was so as “excessive screen time can impact physical, social and mental health”.

In addition they warned that excessive social media use can affect relationships and in-person interactions, and also “increases exposure to risky content and online pressures”.

“If current trends persist, several digital-related challenges emerge across multiple areas. First, there is reduced sleep, activity and family engagement as screen time displaces healthy habits,” the canvasser said, while noting that individuals experience greater exposure to online harms and social pressures, including negative comments, fake news and unrealistic comparisons.

“Thirdly, widening gaps in parental digital supervision appear between technologically confident families who maintain open conversations, privacy settings and screen time limits and parents lacking knowledge or time who are unfamiliar with risks, unclear about settings or have little time to monitor,” the experts declared.

They said to guide future efforts the extent to which health digital habits are promoted in schools must be determined.

In addition the experts said the parenting initiatives in existence for social media provision and monitoring must be known as well as the way in which cyberbullying, online exploitation and harmful content are built into adolescent mental health services.

The GSHS is an international gold-standard survey developed by World Health Organization, in collaboration with United Nations Children’s Fund; United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization; United States Agency for International Development; and the United States-based Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

It measures self-reported health behaviours and protective factors among youth 13-17 years old in the area of alcohol, tobacco and drug use, dietary behaviour, physical activity, sexual behaviours, violence and unintentional injury and protective factors.

It also establishes trends, and facilitates international comparison, develops priorities, establishes programmes, facilitates resource advocacy for school and youth health programmes/policies.