Wayland School Committee hears one in four high schoolers at clinical mental health risk

WAYLAND -- December 18, 2024, Wayland mental health screening flags one in four high schoolers at clinical risk. Dr. Randy Schuster of MGH's Center for Addiction Medicine told the School Committee Wednesday that 25 percent of surveyed 10th and 11th graders screened above clinical threshold for depression or anxiety, and about 10 percent reported past-year suicidal thoughts, with risk concentrated among female and sexually diverse students. Wayland High is part of a five-year, $13 million PCORI-funded SBIRT trial and was randomized to receive an embedded "youth wellness coach," Rio Madison, who is screening about 200 students. Director of Diversity, Equity and Belonging Caroline Hull announced a third $50,000 Hate Crime Prevention Grant for FY26. The committee also unanimously approved amendments to the Education Cooperative agreement and updates to six MASC-modeled policies covering technology and school meals.