Sharps survey: district sees declines in substance use and mental-health indicators but flags nicotine pouches, sleep and cyberbullying

Dr. Brian McGill, director of student wellness, presented high-level findings from the SHaRPS (Student Health and Risk Prevention Survey) administration covering grades 6, 8, 10 and 12 and outlined how the district uses the results for prevention and grant targeting.

McGill highlighted positive trends: the district has seen declines in drug and alcohol use and steady reductions in depression, anxiety and suicidal ideation across the last three survey cycles. "Since 2021, over the last three survey cycles, we've seen a steady decline in depression, anxiety, and suicide ideation in Canyons School District," he said. He credited the district’s counseling, social-work and prevention programs for contributing to those changes.

At the same time, McGill warned trustees about rising nicotine-pouch use among students (which he said had grown "about six times") and the spread of cyberbullying and digital-wellness harms that are linked to sleep disruption. He pointed to sixth grade as a target for additional prevention work because some high-school behavioral patterns appear earlier in middle school.

Trustees and McGill discussed next steps: expanding parent outreach (device-control tutorials, parent nights), classroom and prevention curricula (Catch My Breath anti-vaping program), leveraging SHaRPS data for grant applications, and sustaining grant-funded positions that support counseling and prevention work.

Administration said a two- to three-page summary of the SHaRPS results would be posted for principals and parent groups to use in school planning and outreach.