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A picture of a cross taken by me at Lights Under Louisville.

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I chose this picture of a cross because of my relationship with God, and the importance of my religion to me. I grew up in a christian household, and God has always been so important in my life. He has helped me at my lowest, and has never left my side. My faith in God continues to make me a better person everyday, and also helps me with my relationships with others. I hope to grow my faith and trust in him even more everyday, and to help others do the same.

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This is a screenshot of a video review by content creator Katie org on tiktok. In the video she is reviewing a mascara by the brand Lancome. The mascara is called Lash Idol and she claims that it was her "Mascara of the month." In the video she uses Rhetoric specifically pathos to appeal to the audience's emotions and convince them to buy the mascara. She does this by saying that it lasted through sweat and tears and shows how lengthy it is. I personally have bought this mascara due to all of the videos I have seen on it, including hers, so I can agree that it works very well.

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Taken by Avey Seater at the KY high school state track meet UK

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This is a picture of me and my 4x4 team after winning our heat at state. Track is something I have always been passionate about regardless of the stress it causes me. Track has taught me patience, it has humbled me in every way, and it has brought me so many amazing friendships that I will have forever. It has taught me the importance of communication with others even when it's hard. Most of all, track continues to help me build confidence and that improvement is always a possibility. Track has helped me compete less against others, and more against myself in everything to be the best I can.

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This picture was taken by my mom at my little sisters graduation

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This is my beautiful, kind, and perfect little sister Madison. Madison is the definition of the best little sister ever. She encourages me in everything, even if she has no idea what's going on. She helps me to be a better person everyday. She looks up to me and takes after just about everything I do, or have done. She loves me endlessly even when I'm grumpy, and not in the mood to talk. I thank God for giving me such a loving and supportive sister, and I hope to be the best role model for her and make show her possibilities are endless for her.

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This is an ad from Walmart promoting a product called bloom. The product is a green that is said to have positive benefits on your health. In this ad Walmart uses rhetoric to convince health interested people to buy the product. Walmart uses pathos, and ethos to convince people to buy the product. They use ethos by showing the founder of the brand drinking the product showing someone trustworthy drinking it. They used Pathos by showing what the positive benefits are of the product, convincing people that they need it, and should by it.

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This picture was taken by my friend Myla on her digital camera at her house.

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This is a picture of me and my boyfriend, Derion. Derion is truly the most supportive person I know. He always listens to what I have to say from girl drama, to my feelings and even to my most boring days. I am so lucky to have him in my life. He makes me a better person, and gives the BEST advice. He has taught me peace and how to handle things better. I hope to continue to have a long and healthy relationship in the future.

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This picture is from a video taken by a content creator named Danielle on TikTok. In this video she shows her car that caught on fire with her water bottle from the popular brand Stanley inside. In the video she picks up her Stanley and shakes it to show that despite it being in a car fire it was still in pretty good condition and still had ice in it. This video appeals to both ethos and logos. It appeals to ethos because it impresses the viewer and makes them feel like they need the amazing water bottle. And it appeals to logos because it shows the ice still being in the water bottle showing how trustworthy the water bottle is and how good it is at staying cold.

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This is a picture of the sky out of a plane window. I love to travel and even wanted to make a career out of it at one point. Traveling opens my eyes to the beauty of the world and allows me to get away from my worries. Traveling has helped me make many new lifelong friends, and has also taught me the importance of organization. And regardless of how others view traveling, I love to learn about the places I travel to. I hope to travel to many new places whenever I get the chance, and to learn all about them and their history.

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Taken by Kaleb Kistner on his phone, on a bus.

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This is a picture of me and my friends. Friends are a blessing to have, but mine are special. Nothing is weird, or TMI, and ever too much with them. We are so compatible with each other and no one is ever left out. My friends have taught me patience, forgiveness and kindness. They have showed me what true support and love feel like. I hope our friendship continues to get stronger everyday.

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Picture taken by me at my job (Dunkin Donuts)

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This is a picture of a drink I made at work. Working at Dunkin has taught me so many things. With it being my first job, it has taught me all about the work environment and what they expect. Working has taught me independence and the importance of communication. It has also helped build my personal skills such as creativity, critical thinking, problem solving and kindness. I'm lucky to say I love my job and all of the unique things about working there. I hope in the future to continue to be a hard worker, and develop more personal skills that will help me in the future.

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This is a picture of me and my mimi. She is one of the strongest and most hardworking people I know. She has taught me about independence, kindness, patience and love. She is the true definition of an independent woman and I love her endlessly. She is The funniest kindest and most welcoming person I know. Most of all she is one of my biggest supporters in everything I do, she never misses a thing and makes sure I am set no matter what. I strive to take after her and her infinite compassion and love.

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This is a picture of the cast from my favorite show, Greys Anatomy. I started watching it in middle school, and it greatly influenced what I wanted to do when I got older. It is the reason I decided to join the Health Science Village. It isn't a very accurate show, but I still loved how it showed me professions I had never seen before. It opened me up to a world of possibilities job wise and I'm very grateful, because it helped me realize what I love is helping people.

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This is a screenshot that I took of a notification I got from Starbucks for a $3 drink. Starbucks drinks are expensive so when I saw this I was immediately intrigued. By Starbucks sending out a notification that you could get your favorite drink for $3 instead of regular price, they were applying to rhetoric. They used Pathos to appeal to the Starbucks customers emotions. They made the customers excited to get their drinks at a cheaper price, influencing them to go spend their money.

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This is a picture of apple music. Music is something that I really enjoy and shapes me into the person I am today. I love expressing myself through music and dancing to it at random. Music helps me to focus and to connect with others. I love to share my music taste with others to bond with them and create a connection. Music helps uplift my mood. I hope to continue to use music to connect to others and stay positve.

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This is a screenshot of an ad I got on Pinterest. Its an ad for some stylish and protective phone cases for the new Iphone 15. In this ad it says that if you buy four phone cases, you only have to pay for 2. Burga (the company) uses rhetoric to convince people to buy the cases. They use pathos and logos. They use pathos by showing the cute prints of the phone cases. The unique styles catch people's eyes, and make them want them more because of their uniqueness. They use logos by saying that the cases are protective making people feel more comfortable to buy them, and trust their products with their expensive phones.

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This is a screenshot of an ad on instagram by Sephora. Sephora is a beauty and wellness company. In this ad sephora is promoting a brand they carry and sell called Sol De Janeiro. This brand is popular for their delightful smelling fragrance mists and body creams. In this ad they are promoting their newest scent/product. In this ad rhetoric is used, specifically ethos and pathos. Ethos is used in this ad when Sephora, a highly trusted and favored brand, posts and promotes the new product. This makes consumers feel reassured to buy the product knowing one of their favorite retailers promotes it. Pathos is used when Sol De Janeiro advertises that the new product has intense moisture and boosts your mood. This makes people want to buy the product to benefit themselves.

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This is a screenshot I took of an ad I got on TikTok. In this ad content creator Lish Noory is promoting the brand Tide. In the ad she talks about the holidays, and how the unexpected can happen even then. In the ad ethos and pathos are used. Ethos is used by the brand (Tide,) getting a well known and well trusted content creator to promote the brand. This makes the viewers feel more intrigued to buy the product, knowing someone they know, and trust uses it too. Pathos is used when in the ad the promoter is cooking and preparing for the holiday, and talking about the unexpectedness of it and the cleaning process of it. This makes people relate to the content, and feel that they need the product because they go through the same things.

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This is a screenshot I took of an ad I got on Pinterest. This ad is promoting the brand Summer Fridays. Summer Fridays is a beauty brand known mostly for their lip balms, skin and body products. In this ad they are promoting their Vanilla Beige lip balm. In this ad they use Rhetoric. They use logos and pathos. Pathos is used when they describe the lip balm as hydrating, moisturizing and shiny. This makes the consumer intrigued by the personal benefiting qualities of the product making them want to buy it. Logos is used when at the end they say that Allure's Best of Beauty Award was awarded to the lip balm. This makes the consumer know that the lip balm has a high and approved status convincing them it is worth the buy.

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This is a screenshot taken by me of an ad I got on Instagram. The ad is for a laser hair removal company. They are promoting their brand by using Rhetoric. They use pathos. Pathos is used by referencing the new year. The new year is usually a time for people to change, and promote a better them. They say that the new year calls for a smooth them. This intrigues people who want to try something new or to improve themselves. Therefore this convinces them to try the brand out. They also appeal to the audience's emotions by saying that they get one treatment free. This intrigues the audience to try it because they don't have to pay, and everyone loves free stuff.

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This is a screenshot taken by me on TikTok. In this Video a girl asked a heart surgeon about foods people should avoid. In this video rhetics are used. Both ethos and logos are used. Logos is used when the creator asks a heart surgeon. All of the information on foods to avoid is coming straight from him. This is also where ethos is used, the viewer hears the information coming from a specialist and trusts the information being given. This way the are more likely to believe and follow the information given.

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This article was about a man named Lawrence Faucette who was dying from heart failure, but couldn't get a heart transplant due to the high demand of the organ and the few donors available. Because of this, Lawrence was offered the opportunity to try a xenotransplantation. Xenotransplantation is the process of transplanting organs or tissues from animals into humans. The procedure is a clinical trial for people who qualify. The goal of the trial is to save people who need transplants but can't get them due to the high demand. Participants have been happy to be a part of the trial, regardless of knowing there is a strong possibility it would not work. After Lawrence got the transplant he did unfortunately die six weeks later, but his wife stated that " For him it was the thought that he could do something to really help others."

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Syphilis cases are continuing to climb to the highest level in decades. STI's don't often show symptoms leading to people unknowingly spreading the disease. Stanford said that more measures need to be made to help prevent the spread such as lowering the cost of financial screening, increasing public awareness and making screenings more accessible in places like prisons. There was a loss in funding for STI prevention funding. Elizabeth Finley communication director or the National Coalition of STD directors described it as being a rug pulled out from under them with the rising rates of Syphilis. The FDA announced that they are working with a French drug maker to temporarily allow imports of an alternate medication to treat Syphilis. People have said that they have hopes for new innovations to help treat STI's and better tests for syphilis.

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As syphilis cases continue to surge in the US, recent federal efforts aim to tackle the alarming trend | CNN

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More than 2.5 million cases of chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis were reported in the United States in 2022 as the country’s epidemic of sexually transmitted infections continues to grow.

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This article is about the growing cases of measles in the United states. Nearly two dozen cases of the measles have been confirmed since December 1st. An outbreak started in Virginia after an exposure to the virus outside of the country. Health officials have been warning about exposure to the virus with travel. The virus has not been eliminated worldwide, so outbreaks are still actively happening and still put US residents at risk. Vaccination rates in the US still remain low among children, so most major outbreaks do occur among them. The article also gives measures to take if exposed to the virus. Awareness is wanting to be shared to protect vulnerable people . "The last thing we want to do is have someone with measles sitting in the emergency room waiting room," says Murray.

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This article is about pulse oximeters providing less accurate readings with people dark skin tones. The FDA's Anesthesiology and Respiratory Therapy Devices Panel of the Medical Devices Committee is meeting to review ways to better evaluate the accuracy and performance in pulse oximeters in people with darker skin. Pulse oximeters are used to check oxygen levels which is why its important to make sure they work for everyone. An anesthesiologist says that she was shocked to find out about this dysfunction of the oximeter as it wasnt something that was really emphasized in medical school. She also said that she is happy the FDa is having a panel because she hopes it will lead to new practices and guidelines and the development of devices suited for all patient groups.

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This article is about the links of prostate cancer and fitness. Research has linked regular exercise to a lower risk of cancer. Research showed men whose cardiorespiratory fitness improved by 3% or more annually or over 5 years were 35% less likely to develop prostate cancer than men who's cardiorespiratory fitness decreased by 3%. Although this is true people have said that despite the exercise genetic background is one thing that cant be controlled but still urge to control your lifestyle.

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This article is about American deaths due to cosmetic surgeries in the Dominican Republic from 2009-2022. Over half of the deaths occurred in 2018 from a surgery called a Brazilian Butt lift, all but one of the deaths were women and their median age was 40. Most of the deaths were results from blockages in the blood stream or embolisms. Americans have been traveling to other countries for cosmetic procedures due to the lower cost and wait times compared to the US. Experts have urged the public to consider the risk factors of these procedures.

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This article is about expecting mothers receiving the RSV vaccine. RSV is a highly contagious respiratory virus that can cause serious infections. The symptoms can be severe for infants and older adults. Recently, the FDA approved the Abrysvo vaccine for pregnant women and researchers found it was safe and effective for preventing lower respiratory tract infections in newborns. Researchers found that received the vaccine during weeks 32-36 of pregnancy reduced their babies risk of lower respiratory tract disease from RSV. The side effects of the vaccine are similar to others such as injection site pain headaches and muscle pain. The vaccine has been described as "wonderful" for offering people a safe and effective prevention of RSV in infants.

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This article is about how mood interventions have been found to help reduce inflammation caused by IBD. Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a term that includes autoimmune conditions Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. Treatment currently includes medications, surgery and diet and lifestyle changes. However, recently the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience at King’s College London believe that mood interventions could provide an effective alternative to some of these treatments. These mood interventions include antidepressants, psychotherapy and exercise. They hope by using these alternatives it could reduce the cost of treatment and increase effectiveness. Although it was not stated what the public opinion was on the topic, researchers said it was said that even if these tactics are moderately helpful the hope is to help people have a positive outlook on their health conditions.

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This article was about the link of being socially isolated and the greater risk of death. A study was recently released that has showed that death rates are increased for people with obesity and who are socially lonely and isolated. Obesity is a risk factor because it comes with other health problems that can put people at risk. It was said that more research was needed because of the lack of diversity of the trial. Katherine Kidwell ,an assistant professor in the department of psychology at Syracuse University, stated that "When you’re pairing loneliness and people who have another risk factor like obesity, it’s understandable that the rates would increase. I think, in our society, obesity is one of the last few things that people can be ostracized for, unfortunately, and it should not happen."

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This article is about why 36% of LGBTQ youth say they dont expect to live to 35. A survey from the nonprofit Trevor project revealed that 64% of the 28,524 13-to-24-year-old LGBTQ+ youth surveyed reported that they believed their chances of living to the age 35 were low. It was reported that LGBT youth were more likely to have a shorter life span than their peers due to increased levels of stress and their higher negative experiences compared to their peers. Chase Anderson told healthline that LGBTQ+ people need more spaces and interventions that are designed for them and their specific needs. He encouraged validation for them and the urge to help improve their mental health.

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Many student athletes struggle with maintaining their mental health. Being a student athlete is often glorified because of their ability to work and determination to balance both their academics and athletics. Although this is true, it's not uncommon for a student athlete' s mental health to be compromised. the most concerning factor of mental health in student athletes is the overwhelming stress of trying to maintain their elite athletic performance while trying to manage and keep up with the stress of balancing their studies and social life. Many common mental illnesses found in student athletes are social anxiety, bod dysmorphia, substance and alcohol abuse and depression. Many of these things are caused by sleep deprivation, the lack of peer support, trouble maintaining their athletic and academic performance and even overtraining. Its important for student athletes to reach out for help to support aids provided if their mental health starts to suffer.

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While college can be the most stressful part of a person's life college athletes tend to be the most stressed. Student athletes are more at risk for detrimental effects to their mental health. With the recent stories of suicide and and depression it has come to the public's attention that student athletes mental health needs to be protected. In 2021 a NCAA study found that 30% of surveyed athletes admitted to feeling extremely overwhelmed while 25% admitted to feeling mentally exhausted. The stress of these athletes is likely to affect their athletic performance, GPA and also ;ead to more serious issues like depression, anxiety, eating disorders suicidal thoughts and more.

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This is an article written by a former student athlete who struggled with his mental health in college. The former student athlete's name is John MaCphee and he stated in the article that he was a division 1 basketball player and struggled with anxiety, depression and a drinking problem. He said that he blamed himself but failed to realize that this was a problem that could have been addressed through awareness, resources, and a supportive community. He said he struggled in silence trying to balance his academics and athletics because of his connection to his team. He said he stopped attending classes and was in and out of academic probation but didn't ask for help and was eventually asked to leave school. He then goes on to say that he thinks that athletic leadership should prioritize athlete mental health and that athletic departments should actively work to reduce stigma and barriers to help seeking. He states that "No individual should think they need to tackle the various pressures of being a student-athlete on their own. We can ensure that caring communities and support systems are ready to help."

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Student athletes experiencing negative mental health symptoms are less likely to seek help from mental professionals. In 2020-2021 a surprising 60% of students reported symptoms that indicated they met the criteria for at least one mental health problem. Some reasons for this include fear of retribution and discomfort from teammates and coaches and discomfort from therapists and counselors. Many athletes are afraid to be perceived as weak from fellow athletes, coaches and even the general public. The article stated that "Additionally, increased education and awareness of student-athlete mental health concern amongst both athletics and non-athletics affiliated faculty, staff, and students is crucial to creating a culture in athletics that is more conducive to mental wellbeing."

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As a society we need to stop looking at athletes as these superheros who don't have problems and start looking at them as superheros that do have problems. Performance anxiety is one thing that can be elevated due to pressures like social media. "“I had a lot of support from my teammates and my coaching staff, and it just feels good to be back to my old self,” said Toppin. “I feel good mentally and physically. So we just move forward and try to get better as a team from here.”" This is a quote from former UK basketball player Jacob Toppin

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In the past few months there have been several suicides by student athletes. Athletes are exposed to many factors that affect their mental health. Often times physical health takes priority over mental health. The NCAA stated that mental health concerns were highest for women, student-athletes of color, queer athletes, and student-athletes in economic hardship. Its ok to seek help. The article stated that "We must normalize conversations around mental health for student-athletes. A student-athlete struggling with suicidal thoughts may find it helpful to normalize conversations about what they are going through. Programs devoted to student-athlete mental wellness, whether they come from inside or outside athletic departments, could literally save a life."

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Although athletic participation can be beneficial for mental health in high school students, it can also lead to factors associating in a burnout. The article states that "Another finding is that male athletes who are “highly involved” in sports, are up to five times more successful in completing a suicide attempt than non-athletes or less involved athlete peers." Competing in athletic can have a positive effect for students mental health but it can also play a factor in depression and suicide in student athletes. the article also states "Do not think that just because a student is an athlete that he or she is immune to mental health issues. Take a stand, step in and be the difference in a student’s life."

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Addressing Mental-health Issues in Student-Athletes

By Justin McCoy on February 08, 2016 hst Print

Through countless surveys over many years, it has been proven that participation in high school activity programs improves the classroom performance of high school students. Recently, researchers have started to look at how participation in these programs - particularly participation in sports - affects mental health.

There are multiple studies suggesting that sports participation improves overall mental health by reducing depression and suicidal thoughts. Another area that has received significant attention lately has been the focus of single-sport, year-round athletic participation and the associated burnout. These two areas have significant overlap, particularly in the high school setting.

It is important to recognize that depression is a real illness and can affect athletes in the same way it does non-athletes. Studies show a decrease in the rate of depression in student-athletes as compared to non-athletes. However, a meta-analysis of these studies shows no significant difference in the rates of suicide attempts between athletes and non-athletes. This raises the question of why would the risk of depression fall in student-athletes, but not the suicide risk. The study's authors suggested that this relatively higher risk of suicide in athletes is more related to acute, sudden events or changes that are specific to an athlete (i.e., failing to make a team or get a starting spot, or perceived rejection by a coach) than to depression.

Another finding is that male athletes who are "highly involved" in sports, are up to five times more successful in completing a suicide attempt than non-athletes or less involved athlete peers. While any mention of suicidal ideation in this age group deserves aggressive intervention, possessing this knowledge compels teachers, school counselors, coaches and others involved with this sub-group of male student-athletes to immediately take action if there is even a hint of suicide ideation.

In 2014, the American Medical Society for Sports Medicine published a position statement entitled "Overuse Injuries and Burnout in Youth Sports." This report outlined the disadvantages of participating in sports year-round and identified different signs of burnout, many of which are very similar to the signs and symptoms of depression. One of the key challenges in treating burnout is getting parents and coaches to accept the idea that sometimes "less is more" when it comes to sports participation.

Involvement in sports can have a very positive effect on the mental health of high school students. Unfortunately, depression and risk of suicide still exist in this group of student-athletes, and, therefore, it is important to act when someone appears to be struggling. Do not think that just because a student is an athlete that he or she is immune to mental health issues. Take a stand, step in and be the difference in a student's life.

Quick Facts:
1) Student-athletes can and do get depressed, although at a lower rate as compared to non-athletes.
2) Due to sudden or unexpected changes (not making the team, etc.), student-athletes are just as likely to attempt suicide and up to five times as likely to succeed at committing suicide as their non-athlete peers.
3) Burnout can play a considerable role in the mental health of a student-athlete and should be considered and understood by both parents and coaches.
4) Training should be provided to non-healthcare professionals to help them become aware of how to identify depression and how to get mental health providers involved as soon as possible. 

Sources
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2563797/
http://www.amssm.org/Content/pdf%20files/2014_OverUse_Injuries-Burnout.pdf
http://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(96)91616-5/abstract?cc=y=

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The NFHS is the national leader and advocate for high school athletics as well as fine and performing arts programs. Within our 51 member state associations, we serve 19,500 high schools and more than 12 million young people.

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The article stated that "A study done by the National Athletic Trainers Association found that student athletes report experiencing negative emotional states more often than non-student athlete adolescents. " Many athletes self worth comes from their sport and their performance in it. Balancing academics, sleep, teammate relationships and other interests can be hard for student athletes.

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Few student athletes with mental illness seek help. The article stated that according to Daniel Eisenberg, an associate professor at the University of Michigan School of Public Health, who surveyed student-athletes before and after they participated in educational presentations to all 31 athletic teams at the university. He says that 33% of all college students experience significant symptoms of depression, anxiety or other mental health conditions. Among that group, 30% seek help. But of college athletes with mental health conditions, only 10% do." Some student athletes hide that they're struggling with their mental health and thats why its hard for loved ones to recognize that they are at risk for suicide and struggling. Most student athletes find it most comfortable to seek help from athletic trainers rather than loved ones, coaches and friends.

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Student athletes get the ability to do what they love and experience the thrill of competition, but also experience the weight of these factors affecting their mental health. The article stated that "Studies have shown that student-athletes experience psychological issues severe enough to warrant counseling at rates higher than non-athletes, with as many as 15% of athletes having such issues during their time on campus." The pressures of pursuing athletics while being a student include mental health problems, anxiety, eating disorders and substance abuse.

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Student-athletes can feel the thrill of competition but also experience the weight of added stress that sometimes challenges their mental health. Ari Miller is here to help. In his newly created position fusing psychology and sports, he helps Johns Hopkins athletes lead healthier daily lives and perform better on the field, court, or track.

Johns Hopkins has nearly 700 student-athletes participating in 22 varsity sports. Athletics can enrich a student's collegiate experience, improving physical fitness while creating lasting friendships and a lifetime of memories. But the pressures of sports competition, on top of the rigorous demands of classrooms and labs, can lead to mental health issues, including anxiety, eating disorders, substance abuse, and depression.

Studies have shown that student-athletes experience psychological issues severe enough to warrant counseling at rates higher than non-athletes, with as many as 15% of athletes having such issues during their time on campus. On a recent NCAA well-being survey of nearly 10,000 student-athletes, more than a third of the women surveyed, and nearly a quarter of the men, reported feeling mentally exhausted constantly or most every day. Making matters worse, college athletes are as much as three times less likely to seek help when they experience mental health issues such as depression, according to a 2017 survey by the University of Michigan School of Public Health.

For more and more schools, a solution is to bridge the divide between the athletic department and the counseling center via staff with a foot in each realm. Hopkins made this move in July of last year, when Miller was named assistant director, student-athlete mental health and performance. Miller, a licensed professional counselor, began his career coaching basketball and now holds a master's degree in clinical psychology. He came to Hopkins from the University of Vermont, where he was assistant director of athletics for sports psychology and counseling.

The Hub sat down with Miller to talk about his work keeping student-athletes healthy in mind and body.

What are the mental health challenges you've been seeing here at Hopkins?

Just to get into a school like Johns Hopkins you must achieve at a very high level in all parts of life. When young student-athletes first arrive on campus and have an exam or a hard practice, it might be one of the first times they've experienced something that does not go well for them. So one of the biggest things I'm working on here is just the adjustment to college and getting acclimated to being in such a competitive space. I work with students around self-care and balancing. How do you take care of yourself when your schedule is so packed? How do we build healthy life skills that allow us to keep our mental health in a good place? Oftentimes, we only hear about mental health when it turns into mental illness. Sound mental health is based on a wide range of behaviors and support systems that you can utilize every day, not just when things are hard.

What does your role look like day to day?

I provide a few different services for student-athletes and coaches that can be broken down into three main buckets. The first is that I provide individual sessions. Student-athletes can book individual one-on-one sessions with me that can be for free therapy, mental performance coaching, or for just support around mental health issues-maybe questions about how to support a friend.

I do team sessions as well. I meet with full teams where we'll pick a mental health or mental performance topic, and then we'll discuss how it applies to them and how it may fit into their season right now.

The third is coach consultation. I meet with coaching staff and individual members of our staff and consult about mental health issues, talking about mental performance challenges and how they're handling different issues their student-athletes might be experiencing.

Why are positions such as yours becoming more common on campuses?

I think we're starting to realize that the student-athlete experience is full of stress and challenges related to the time commitments they take on being part of a competitive team. For too long, those challenges were not talked about. There were not a lot of places for athletes to go for help, and there was a stigma around being vulnerable. The narrative is now changing nationally around how we support people in competitive spaces.

We've also had a lot of high-profile athletes over the past few years be open and vulnerable about their challenges, whether it be Olympians Simone Biles and Michael Phelps, or pro basketball players Kevin Love and DeMar DeRozan. So, I think universities and athletic departments are starting to realize that this is something that we need to continue to grow, and have resources for student-athletes specific to their unique experiences.

"For too long, those challenges were not talked about. There were not a lot of places for athletes to go for help, and there was a stigma around being vulnerable."

How did you end up working in the athlete mental health space?

During the first part of my career, I was trying to be a college basketball coach. I worked with three different schools, starting as an assistant coach and finally as director of basketball operations. And I started taking graduate courses in psychology to try to become a better coach. I wanted to learn about relationships and people and thought that it would be a way for me to sort of cultivate that skill set.

As I got a little bit older and got deeper into the profession and got deeper into the graduate program, I started to see this unmet need that a lot of the athletes I was recruiting and coaching were having. There was a lot that was pulling them away from their athletic pursuits, whether it be stress in their personal lives or dealing with performance anxiety. But there were no resources for them, and nobody was talking about it. I decided 10 years ago to make a career pivot and go in this direction. I feel like I'm still coaching athletes in a lot of ways, just on different skills.

Why are student-athletes less likely to ask for help relating to mental health issues?

For a long time, competitive sports existed under the premise that you needed to be strong and mentally tough. You know, just show up, do your job, and play hard, and everything will work itself out. And sometimes that is what's needed-you go to practice, you play hard, and you exhibit toughness.

However, as we are learning more about the needs of the entire person that plays a sport, we're realizing that to be mentally tough and physically tough, you need to be able to articulate your feelings and talk through things in your life that are presenting challenges. I think we're making some headway in breaking down that stigma, but it has been present in competitive sports for a long time and will take time to break down.

What changes have you brought to Blue Jay athletics?

I think just my physical presence here, this new position, is a massive change. My skill set and what I bring are very different from almost everybody else in the department. And the idea behind having such a position is that I'm not off in a building that no one visits unless they're having a session. I'm at games and practices. I'm walking through the halls being as visible as I can be.

Because I also work with the Counseling Center, I can serve as a bridge of communication to alert student-athletes of services that the center is offering that maybe they weren't aware of. I also meet with Counseling Center personnel to give them some education on the student-athlete experience and help them better understand the student-athletes they're working with.

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Johns Hopkins hired Ari Miller to help guide student-athletes through the unique and universal challenges they face on and off the field of competition

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This article is about underage drinking, the risk factors of it and the statistics of it. The article says that about 19.7% of youth from ages 14-15 have reported having at least one drink in their lifetime. The article also stated that youth are most likely to binge drink meaning they drink less than adults but when they do drink, they drink more. the article stated that "In 2022, approximately 646,000 youth ages 12 to 20 reported binge drinking on 5 or more days over the past month." I can use this article to cite the statistics of underage drinking.

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This article is about underage drinking, its risk factors and how it can be prevented. In the article it says that youth who drink are more likely to experience social problems, higher rates of absences in school, physical problems such as hangovers and illness, increased risk of homicide and suicide, misuse of other problems, legal problems and more. The article also stated that "The 2021 Youth Risk Behavior Survey ³ found that among high school students, during the past 30 days

23% drank alcohol.

11% binge drank.

5% of drivers drove after drinking alcohol.

14% rode with a driver who had been drinking alcohol." Finally the article also stated that underage drinking can be prevented by increasing alcohol taxes, Enforcing laws prohibiting alcohol sales to minors, and more. I can use this to talk about why underage drinking is bad and what it can cause.

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Underage Drinking is Common

Alcohol is the most commonly used substance among young people in the U.S. ³

The 2021 Youth Risk Behavior Survey ³ found that among high school students, during the past 30 days

23% drank alcohol.

11% binge drank.

5% of drivers drove after drinking alcohol.

14% rode with a driver who had been drinking alcohol.

Rates of current and binge drinking among high school students have generally been declining in recent decades. Although males historically had higher rates, in 2019 and 2021, female high school students were more likely to drink alcohol and binge drink than male high school students. 3,4

Underage Drinking is Dangerous

Youth who drink alcohol are more likely to experience ⁴⁻⁷

School problems, such as higher rates of absences or lower grades.

Social problems, such as fighting or lack of participation in youth activities.

Legal problems, such as arrest for driving or physically hurting someone while drunk.

Physical problems, such as hangovers or illnesses.

Unwanted, unplanned, and unprotected sexual activity.

Disruption of normal growth or sexual development.

Physical and sexual violence.

Increased risk of suicide and homicide.

Alcohol-related motor vehicle crashes and other unintentional injuries, such as burns, falls, or drowning.

Memory problems.

Misuse of other substances.

Changes in brain development that may have life-long effects.

Alcohol poisoning.

In general, the risk of youth experiencing these problems is greater for those who binge drink than for those who do not binge drink. 6,7

Early initiation of drinking is associated with development of an alcohol use disorder later in life. ⁸

Underage Drinking is Associated with Adult Drinking

Studies show a relationship between underage drinking behaviors and the drinking behaviors of adult relatives, adults in the same household, and adults in the same community and state.

There is a relationship between youth and adult drinking, including binge drinking, in states and communities.⁹⁻¹¹ A 5% increase in binge drinking among adults in a community is associated with a 12% increase in the chance of underage drinking.¹⁰

Among adolescents whose peers drink alcohol, those whose parents binge drink are more likely to drink alcohol than those whose parents do not.¹²

Underage Drinking is Preventable

State alcohol policy environments influence underage drinking, as well as excessive drinking among adults. Comprehensive approaches that include effective population-level policy strategies can reduce underage drinking. 10,13,14 The Community Preventive Services Task Force recommends several effective strategies for preventing excessive drinking, ¹⁵ including:

Increasing alcohol taxes.

Having commercial host ("dram shop") liability laws.

Regulating the number and concentration of alcohol outlets.

Enforcing laws prohibiting alcohol sales to minors.

The Surgeon General's Report on Alcohol, Drugs, and Health describes other strategies that can complement effective alcohol policies, such as national media campaigns targeting youth and adults, reducing youth exposure to alcohol advertising, and the development of comprehensive community-based programs. Read more about the prevention of excessive alcohol use, including underage drinking.

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Excessive alcohol use can lead to increased risk of health problems such as injuries, violence, liver diseases, and cancer.The CDC Alcohol Program works to strengthen the scientific foundation for preventing excessive alcohol use.

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This article is about underage drinking in the united states. 1,573 vehicle crashes, 1,121 homicides, 190 alcohol falls, burns, drowns and overdoses, and 718 suicides all occurred from underage drinking. The article stated that "Research indicates that alcohol use during the teenage years can interfere with normal adolescent brain development and increase the risk of developing alcohol use disorder. In addition, underage drinking contributes to a range of acute consequences, such as injuries, sexual assaults, alcohol overdoses, and deaths—including those from motor vehicle crashes." I can use this source to support why underage drinking is bad.

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Prevalence of Underage Alcohol Use, People Ages 12 to 20

Prevalence of Lifetime Drinking
According to the 2021 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), 13.4 million people ages 12 to 20 (34.4% in this age group) reported that they have had at least one drink in their lives. 1,2 This includes:
Prevalence of Past-Year Drinking
According to the 2021 NSDUH, 11.1 million people ages 12 to 20 (28.5% in this age group) reported that they drank in the past year. 1,2 This includes:
Prevalence of Past-Month Drinking
According to the 2021 NSDUH, 5.9 million people ages 12 to 20 (15.1% in this age group) reported that they drank in the past month. 1,2 This includes:
Prevalence of Past-Month Binge Drinking
According to the 2021 NSDUH, 3.2 million people ages 12 to 20 (8.3% in this age group) reported binge drinking in the past month ( see glossary for definition of binge drinking). 1,2 This includes:
Prevalence of Past-Month Heavy Alcohol Use
According to the 2021 NSDUH, 613,000 people ages 12 to 20 (1.6% in this age group) reported heavy alcohol use in the past month ( see glossary for definition of heavy alcohol use). 1,2 This includes:
Prevalence of High-Intensity Drinking
According to the 2022 Monitoring the Future survey, 2.4% of students in 12th grade reported high-intensity drinking. ³
Trend in Underage Alcohol Use
NSDUH findings indicate a decline in underage drinking. From 2002 to 2021, the prevalence of alcohol use in the past 30 days decreased by 58.3% among adolescents ages 16 to 17, 69.1% among adolescents ages 14 to 15, and 52.8% among adolescents ages 12 to 13. ⁴
Consequences of Underage Alcohol Use

Research indicates that alcohol use during the teenage years can interfere with normal adolescent brain development and increase the risk of developing alcohol use disorder. In addition, underage drinking contributes to a range of acute consequences, such as injuries, sexual assaults, alcohol overdoses, and deaths-including those from motor vehicle crashes.⁵

Alcohol is a factor in the deaths of thousands of people younger than age 21 in the United States each year. This includes:

1,573 from motor vehicle crashes⁶

1,121 from homicides⁷

190 from alcohol overdose, falls, burns, and drowning⁷

718 from suicides⁷

According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), caution should be used when comparing estimates from the 2020 and 2021 NSDUH to those from prior years due to methodological changes. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, data for NSDUH were collected during in-home visits, using computer-assisted techniques. The COVID-19 pandemic necessitated a delay in data collection during 2020 and the introduction of web-based data collection, with very limited in-person data collection. Because these changes in data collection coincided with the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic and any related behavioral or mental health changes, we cannot fully separate the effects of methodological changes from true changes in the outcomes. Please see the Methodological Summary and Definitions [PDF - 4 MB] for more information.

According to CDC, due to scientific updates to Alcohol-Related Disease Impact (ARDI), estimates of alcohol-attributable deaths or years of potential life lost generated in the current version of ARDI should not be compared with estimates that were generated using the ARDI default reports or analyses in the ARDI Custom Data Portal prior to April 19, 2022.

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Underage Drinking in the United States (ages 12 to 20) | National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA)

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Prevalence of Underage Alcohol Use, People Ages 12 to 20 Image

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This article is about underage drinking in the United States. It said that underage drinking is often started as a thing to look cool and to fit in. The article also stated that alcohol is the most commonly misused substance among Americas youth. Underage drinking is dangerous because it causes death and injuries, can interfere with brain development, increases the risk of physical and sexual assault, and more. The article also said that parents can help their children prevent underage drinking by having open communication and conversations with them about drinking. I can use this article to support why underage drinking is bad and how it can be prevented.

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Kids often begin drinking to look "cool" or fit in with their peers. Parents can help their kids avoid alcohol problems. Learn more.

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This article is about the facts of underage drinking. The article stated that adults who had taken their first sip of alcohol before the age 15 were 6.5 times more likely to experience alcohol abuse disorder than those who didn't start drinking before the legal age. Underage/ early drinking is a risk factor for alcohol abuse. The article also stated that "In 2022, four out of five college students (80.5 percent) report they consumed alcohol in the past 12 months and 63 percent report consuming alcohol in the past 30-days. However, after reported pandemic-related rebound increases in harmful consumption in 2021, rates of binge drinking and high-intensity drinking have declined in 2022." I can use this article to talk about how underage drinking can lead to alcohol abuse in adulthood.

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Though progress is being made, underage drinking remains a persistent problem. According to the 2017 NSDUH, about 7.4 million Americans between the ages of 12 and 20 report current alcohol consumption; this represents nearly 20% of this age group for whom alcohol consumption is illegal. Among 12-20 year olds, reported rates of past month consumption, binge drinking, and heavy alcohol consumption have declined steadily from 2008 to 2017.

According to the 2018 Monitoring the Future (MTF) survey, alcohol consumption continues to show significant longer-term declines among the nations' 8th, 10th and 12th graders. For the three grades combined (8th, 10th and 12th) the proportion of students reporting lifetime, annual, past month alcohol consumption, and binge drinking are at the lowest levels since the study began (41 percent, 36 percent and 19 percent, and 9 percent respectively).

For more than 25 years the Foundation for Advancing Alcohol Responsibility has been leading the fight to eliminate drunk driving and underage drinking. While rates have declined, alcohol consumption among youth under the legal drinking age remains a concern.

The rate of current alcohol consumption increases with increasing age according to the 2017 National Survey on Drug Use and Health from less than 1% at age 12 to 16% at age 16, and 46% at age 20.

Eighth Grade Students

Tenth Grade Students

Twelfth Grade Students

College Students

Eighth Grade Students

Tenth Grade Students

Twelfth Grade Students

College Students

Eighth Grade Students

Tenth Grade Students

Twelfth Grade Students

College Students

According to the 2018 Monitoring the Future Survey (MTF), underage drinking among American youth continued a gradual decline in 2018, with nearly six out of ten teens reporting they have never consumed alcohol. For all three grades combined (8th, 10th, and 12th) consumption rates are at record low levels, and reported drinking among 12 th graders in 2018 reached the lowest levels in survey history, with significant decreases in lifetime, past month, and daily consumption as well as binge drinking. The survey data, which is an indicator of the success and progress made to eliminate underage consumption, reports a steady downward trend with prevalence rates remaining at some of the lowest levels recorded among 8 th, 10 th and 12 th grade students since the early 1990s when tracking of this data began.

Three out of four 8 th graders (77 percent) report they have never consumed alcohol, down 66% proportionally from 70% in 1991 to 24% in 2018. Lifetime consumption of alcohol among tenth graders and twelfth graders declined proportionally 49% and 36%, respectively, since 1991.

During this same period, annual consumption rates continued to trend downward reaching a new record low among high school seniors, declining 63% proportionally among 8 th graders, 48% among 10 th graders, and 36% among 12 th graders. About one in five eighth grade students (19%), 38% of tenth graders, and 53% of twelfth graders report they consumed alcohol in the past year.

From 2017 to 2018 the past 30-day prevalence rate decreased among students in grades 10 and 12 and remained stable among students in the 8 th grade.

Eight percent (8%) of 8th graders report consuming alcohol in the past month, down 67% proportionally from 25% in 1991.

Tenth graders' reported monthly consumption rate has been cut in in more than half, down 57% proportionally from 43% in 1991 to 19% in 2018.

Three out of ten (30%) 12th graders report consuming alcohol in the past 30-days, a decrease of 44% proportionally from 54% in 1991.

In 2018, statistically significant decreases were noted in binge drinking among students in 8 th, 10 th, and 12 th combined, and among high school seniors from 2017 to 2018. Since 1991 the prevalence of binge drinking has been reduced by more than 50 percent among 8th, 10th, and 12th graders - down 66 percent, 59 percent, and 54 percent, respectively.

Four percent of 8th grade students (4%) report binge drinking in the past two weeks, but 52% perceive it to be risky behavior and 84% disapprove of binge drinking.

Nine percent of 10th graders (9%) said they engaged in binge drinking, while 52% of 10th graders believe this to be a risky behavior and 80% disapprove of the behavior.

Fourteen percent 12th graders (14%) report consuming five or more drinks in a row; 45% perceive great risk in the behavior of consuming five or more drinks in a row and 76% disapprove of it.

Extreme binge drinking defined as drinking 10 or more drinks, or even 15 or more drinks, in a row during a single occasion in the past two weeks has decreased more than half since its peak, but no significant changes were observed in 2018. (Source: NIDA, National Survey Results on Drug Use from the 2018 Monitoring the Future Study, 2018)

According to the 2017 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), about 7.4 million Americans between the ages of 12 and 20 report current alcohol consumption; this represents nearly 20% of this age group for whom alcohol consumption is illegal.

Over the past decade, the National Survey on Drug Use and Health surveys have shown a decline in the prevalence rates of current, binge, and heavy alcohol consumption among 12 to 20 year olds:

Past month consumption among 12 to 20 year olds has declined proportionally 26 percent from 26.5% in 2008 to 19.7% in 2017. Current consumption rose slightly from 2016 to 2017.

Underage binge drinking rates decreased 11 percent proportionally from 13.4% in 2015 to 11.9% in 2017, reaching a new record low level.

Heavy drinking (five or more drinks on the same occasion on 5 or more days in the past 30 days) also decreased to an all time record low among 12 to 20 year olds during this time, declining 24 percent proportionally from 3.3% in 2015 to 2.5% in 2017. (Source: SAMHSA, 2017 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 2018)

According to the 2017 Monitoring the Future Study, the overall trend in heavy drinking (defined as five or more drinks in a row at least once in the past two weeks) among college students continues to show a decline, decreasing 26 percentage points (44% to 33%) since 1980.

Overall, the prevalence of college drinking over the past 27 years, measured as lifetime, annual, and past 30-day consumption rates have all declined. Since 1991, lifetime consumption among college students has declined 16% proportionately, while annual consumption and monthly consumption are down 14% and 17%, respectively.

The Monitoring the Future Survey revealed a continuation of the gradual long-term decline in alcohol consumption among college students. More specifically, from 2016 to 2017 consumption rates among college students remained relatively unchanged. (Source: University of Michigan, Monitoring the Future, 1975-2017: Volume II, College Students and Adults Ages 19-50, 2018)

The Monitoring the Future Study (2005-2017 combined data) revealed during the two weeks prior to the survey one in eight (12%) college students reported they have consumed 10 or more drinks in a row at least once, including one in twenty-five (4%) who reported consuming 15 or more drinks in a row. (Source: University of Michigan, Monitoring the Future, 1975-2017: Volume II, College Students and Adults Ages 19-50, 2018)

According to the 2017 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) nearly 6.6 million 12-20 year old girls reported consuming alcohol in the past year.

In 2017, males and females aged 12 to 20 reported comparatively equal rates of past month alcohol consumption (19.7%), binge drinking (12.0% v. 11.9%, respectively), and heavy alcohol consumption (2.6% males vs. 2.3% females). However, slightly more females aged 12 to 17 reported past month alcohol consumption and binge drinking than their male peers (past month: 11% females vs. 8.8% males; binge drinking: 6.0% v. 4.6%, respectively). (Source: SAMHSA, 2017 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 9/2018)

The 2017 Monitoring the Future Study reports 39% of college males report having consumed five or more drinks in a row during the previous two weeks compared with 29% of their female peers. Extreme levels of binge drinking rates indicate a significantly larger variance by gender for the combined years of 2005-2017 with male college students more likely to engage in these extreme levels of drinking:

21% of male college students compared to 7% of female college students reported having 10 or more drinks in a row.

College males (8.5%) are five times more likely than college females (1.6%) to report consuming 15 or more drinks in a row. (Source: University of Michigan, Monitoring the Future, 1975-2017: Volume II, College Students and Adults Ages 19-50, 2018)

According to the 2017 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) nearly half of current underage drinkers ages 12 to 20, who consumed alcohol in the past month, report the last time they drank alcohol it was either in someone else's house (49%) or their own home (37%). Additionally, 73% of these underage drinkers said they were drinking with more than one other person the last time they drank.

Family and friends continue to be a leading source of alcohol for today's youth. Among current underage drinkers who did not pay for the alcohol they consumed the last time they drank (71%) the most frequently cited source of alcohol was an unrelated person aged 21 or older (32%). Fifty-four percent of current underage drinkers reported family and friends as their source for the alcohol they consumed - parents/guardians/other adult family member (27%), another underage person (17%), took from home (7%), took from someone else's home (3%).

Influence of Parents

Despite being identified by youth as one of their primary sources of alcohol, hands down, parents are the most influential person or thing in a child's decision not to drink at all or not to drink on occasion.

Additional research from the Centers for Disease Control's 2017 Youth Risk Behavior Survey reported that 44% of students who reported past-month consumption said that they usually obtained the alcohol they drank by someone giving it to them; the prevalence of having someone give them alcohol was higher among females (48%) than males (38%).

Regardless of the source of alcohol, youth report access to alcohol is easy. According to the 2017 Monitoring the Future survey 87% of 12th graders, 72% of 10th graders, and 53% of 8th graders say it be "fairly easy" or "very easy" for them to get alcohol. On a positive note, despite reported ease of obtaining alcohol disapproval of binge drinking continues to remain high among all three grade levels (8th, 85%; 10th, 80%; 12 th, 73%).

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Though progress is being made, underage drinking remains a persistent problem. According to the 2017 NSDUH, about 7.4 million Americans between the ages of 12 and 20 report current alcohol consumption; this represents nearly 20% of this age group for whom alcohol consumption is illegal.

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This article is about the effect of teenage drinking on the brain and its harmful risks. In the article it says that Alcohol slows down the brain and makes it harder to process, and young people are more likely to have memory blackouts that where they can remember what happened when they were drinking. Alcohol abuse at a young age can increase the risk of experiencing mental health issues such as depression and anxiety and for people who experience mental health issues it can make these problems worse. I can use this article to support that underage drinking is bad for the brain and can cause/ increase mental health issues.

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This article is about teen drinking in the United States. The article started by stating that "Approximately one out of every ten alcoholic drinks in the U.S.A. is consumed illegally. Despite age 21 being the legal drinking age, children as young as 12 years old have engaged in under-age alcoholism. In fact, more than 70 percent of teens have consumed at least one alcoholic beverage by the time they reach age 18, which is still under the legal age." Binge drinking is a problem for teens. The article said that more than 90% of underage alcoholism is related to binge drinking. Underage drinking leads to physical, mental and social issues. The article also stated that ongoing underage drinking can lead to things such as physical assault as a perpetrator or victim, isolation, failing grades, liver disease and alcohol related cancers and more. I can use this article to support why underage drinking should be stopped and to show statistics of underage drinking.

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Underage drinking statistics tell the story of America's battle with alcoholism. Knowing how many young people are drinking encourages governments and communities to step up their efforts for prevention and treatment.

At the same time, each alcohol abuse situation is unique and deserves individualized attention. If you believe you may have a drinking problem or if you suspect a friend or family member may be abusing alcohol, you can find help. The following statistics reveal the ways youths are harming themselves and what can be done to recognize the signs of an underage drinking problem.

Teen Drinking Statistics in the U.S.

Approximately one out of every ten alcoholic drinks in the U.S.A. is consumed illegally. Despite age 21 being the legal drinking age, children as young as 12 years old have engaged in under-age alcoholism. In fact, more than 70 percent of teens have consumed at least one alcoholic beverage by the time they reach age 18, which is still under the legal age.

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention presents some alarming underage drinking statistics for 2009. When high school students were asked about their behaviors during the previous 30 days:

Four out of ten had drunk beer, wine, spirits, or liquor (before their 21st birthdays)

One of those four people had driven after drinking alcohol

One out of four had engaged in binge drinking, which is having five or more drinks during the same occasion

Just as many, approximately one out of four, had ridden in a vehicle with a drunk driver

Binge drinking, in particular, is a problem for teens. Studies on underage drinkers reveal that teenagers do not drink as frequently as adults, but they do tend to drink more in a single setting. More than 90 percent of under age alcoholism is related to binge drinking.

If you fall into any of these categories, you may be unaware of the consequences or you may be afraid of what will happen if you stop drinking. By calling us, you can speak with a knowledgeable counselor who can evaluate your situation confidentially and suggest treatment options.
Related Content
What Happens When Teens Drink Too Much?

Many children and young adults do not understand the consequences of drinking too much. The social aspects of drinking, whether for rebellion, self-medication, or peer acceptance, often mask the underlying damage caused by alcohol.

Underage drinking leads to numerous physical, mental, and social issues. Because children and teens are still maturing, even one alcoholic drink can stunt or prevent crucial development within the brain and body. Ongoing drinking episodes and binge drinking can lead to large-scale problems and lifelong consequences. Some of the most common potential issues include:

Approximately 190,000 people visited hospital emergency rooms in 2008 due to injuries and conditions linked to underage drinking.

Ways to Recognize a Drinking Problem

Most people have trouble admitting they have an alcohol problem. Whether they are adults, teenagers, or children, they either do not see the signs themselves or they are in denial about the situation. The following signs can help detect whether you or someone you love has an underage drinking problem:

Unusual changes in mood, including irritability, sudden flares of temper, and defensive words or actions

Slurred speech, bloodshot eyes, stumbling, forgetfulness, and difficulty concentrating

Rebellion against school rules, family rules, or social conventions

Sudden switch to friends who are unknown to the parents or guardians

Abnormal problems in school, such as low grades, attendance and tardiness issues, and disciplinary actions

Low energy, lack of involvement, and a general sloppy appearance

Presence of alcohol in a child's room, backpack, locker, vehicle, or other places of importance

Smelling alcohol on the person's breath

The appearance of a single warning sign may be no cause for alarm, but a person meeting several of the criteria may benefit from a professional evaluation. To speak with an advisor about your unique situation, please call us. A simple phone call can prevent another person from becoming an additional victim in underage drinking statistics.

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Underage Drinking Statistics - USA Teens Drinking Stats

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Discover underage drinking statistics, how the social aspects, whether for rebellion, self-medication, or peer acceptance, often mask the underlying damage

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This article is about the facts of underage drinking. Underage drinking is when drinking occurs in someone under 21. In high school students nearly 1 in 3 drink alcohol, 1 in 20 have driven drunk and 1 in 5 have ridden in the car with someone who has consumed alcohol and is driving. Binge drinking is considered five or more drinkings in one sitting for men and four or more in one sitting for women. The article stated that "Underage drinking can have severe effects. In the United States, more than 3,500 people under 21 die each year for reasons related to excessive drinking." The article also said that alcohol abuse problems at school unplanned and unprotected sexual activity and more are all risks of underage drinking. I can use this article to share the facts about underage drinking and its risk factors.

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Underage Drinking: Alcohol Poisoning, Binge Drinking, Drinking Age

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Underage drinking has severe effects. Teenagers who drink alcohol often binge drink, drink and drive or suffer alcohol poisoning.

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This article is about the problem of underage drinking. Underage drinking is drinking under the age of 21. The negative consequences of underage drinking include binge drinking, high risk drinking, heavy drinking and more. Young people use alcohol more than any other drug or addictive material. The article stated that "Underage drinkers experience a wide range of alcohol-related health, social, criminal justice, and academic problems." The article also said that some negative effects young drinkers reported are recklessness, aggression, lack of awareness and lack of control. I can use this article to so support why underage drinking is bad.

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ASU Center for Problem-Oriented Policing

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The Problem of Underage Drinking

This guide begins by describing the problem of underage drinking†, and reviewing factors that contribute to it. It then identifies a series of questions to help you analyze your local underage drinking problem. Finally, it reviews responses to the problem, and what is known about them from evaluative research and police practice.

Young people use alcohol more than any other drug, including tobacco. 1 Underage drinking-that is, drinking under the age of 21-is prohibited throughout the United States. Despite a historical lack of vigorous enforcement, minimum-drinking-age laws have been very effective in reducing many of the harms associated with underage drinking, 2 such as traffic fatalities and alcohol-related injuries, as well as assaults and other crimes. There is significant potential for further harm reduction if additional strategies targeting the factors underlying the problem are implemented.‡

Virtually all high school students and most college students are under 21. However, most drink alcohol at least occasionally, and many drink frequently and heavily.§ They can get alcohol for free or at low prices, which contributes to their drinking at levels that significantly increase their risk of negative alcohol-related consequences. 3 The proportion of underage youth who drink has not changed significantly over the past decade in the United States. 4 Indeed, if anything, they are starting to drink at a younger age, and their drinking patterns are becoming more extreme. 5

Underage drinkers experience a wide range of alcohol-related health, social, criminal justice, and academic problems. They do not all experience the same level of problems-those who drink more, and drink more often, suffer a greater number of negative consequences. However, negative consequences occur across a wide range of consumption levels and frequencies.

Young drinkers report a range of negative effects from alcohol, all of which can lead to troubled interactions with others, particularly police officers or other responsible adults who try to intervene. 6 These include the following:

Overconfidence and recklessness. Excessive drinking may cause people to act in ways they would normally consider unwise or inappropriate.

Lack of awareness. As people become intoxicated, they may not be fully aware of what is happening, and may not be able to figure out how to react to situations appropriately.

Aggression. Drinkers may misread cues from other people as being offensive, and react violently.

Loss of control. Drinkers' motor skills may become impaired, and drinkers may also lose control of their emotions.

These effects often lead young drinkers to come into contact with police, either as offenders or as victims. Youths who drink heavily are more likely to carry handguns than those who do not drink. 7 Alcohol use contributes to property damage, rape, and other violent crime on college campuses, 8 and about half of college crime victims have been drinking before the crime occurs. 9 A significant proportion of young drivers killed in car accidents are intoxicated when the crash occurs. 10

Further, underage college students who drink heavily are more likely to miss class, fall behind in school, sustain an injury, have unplanned or unprotected sex, drive after drinking, or have contact with campus police. 11, † Students also experience "secondhand" effects of others' alcohol misuse, such as having their sleep or study time interrupted; having to take care of an intoxicated friend; being insulted or humiliated by drinkers; receiving unwanted sexual advances; getting in serious arguments; having their personal property damaged; being assaulted, sexually or otherwise; and being raped by an acquaintance. 12 There are also a number of physical and mental health-related consequences of alcohol use, which are detailed elsewhere.‡

Very few college students experience any college-based disciplinary action as a result of their drinking, despite widespread use and serious consequences for the individuals, their peers, and their communities. 13 The past decade has witnessed increased concern about and creativity in confronting the issue, and both adults and youths support measures to prevent underage drinking. Given the issue's complexity, it is important to understand how the problem takes shape in your community. Analyzing the factors that contribute to your local underage drinking problem will help you to select the most effective responses.

Related Problems

Underage drinking is associated with a number of other problems not directly addressed in this guide, but many are covered in other guides in this series. These related problems require their own analyses and responses:

Factors Contributing to Underage Drinking

Understanding the factors that contribute to your problem will help you frame your own local analysis questions, determine good effectiveness measures, recognize key intervention points, and select appropriate responses.

Why Underage People Drink

Some researchers have found that drinking, particularly among underage college students, "is often so routine that people find it difficult to explain why they do it." 14 However, there are several common themes that appear to underlie underage drinking. Many see drinking as a "rite of passage," or a fundamental part of adolescence and college life. Young people develop beliefs about the acceptability of underage drinking from their peers, parents, and other agents of informal social control. 15 Many young people believe that drinking will make it easier to be part of a group, reduce tension, relieve stress, help them to forget their worries, increase their sexual attractiveness, or make them more socially confident. 16 People who attribute such benefits to alcohol are more likely to drink than people who believe drinking has more negative consequences (e.g., loss of control, legal troubles, health problems). 17

Young people often go out intending to get drunk, and may try to intensify their drunkenness by drinking a lot very quickly or drinking especially strong liquor. However, many young people unintentionally get drunk when they misjudge their limits. 18

Many young people do not drink at all, or drink at minimal levels. Their decision not to drink or to drink in moderation appears to result from a combination of factors: 19

Attachment. Young people with strong ties to family, friends, and significant others tend to drink less. They have close emotional ties with others, and care about others' expectations and opinions regarding their behavior.

Commitment. Young people who invest significant amounts of time, energy, and resources in conventional activities such as studying, working, taking part in organized religion, and/or participating in clubs or athletics tend to drink less than students who are not so invested, perhaps because they have less time available for alcohol-focused activities.

Belief. Young people who accept conventional values, obey society's rules, and respect authority tend to drink less than those who do not.

In addition, much research suggests that young people-college students in particular-drink because they assume everyone else does. 20 Students consistently overestimate the amount that other students drink and the proportion of their fellow students who are heavy drinkers. 21 Given that adolescents and young adults are susceptible to peer pressure and want to conform, it is likely that their perceptions of others' alcohol use influence their own drinking, whether or not their perceptions are correct.

Environmental Reasons for Underage Drinking

Underage drinking occurs in an environment saturated by alcohol advertising on television, on billboards, at sporting and music events, and in national and local newspapers. The alcohol industry spends far more to promote its products than is spent on public messages encouraging responsible drinking. 22 This media saturation may promote, facilitate, and perpetuate heavy drinking among young people. In addition, many products (e.g., alcopops, wine coolers) have hip, colorful, youth-oriented packaging and are likely to appeal mainly to young people.

In addition, young people, particularly those in college, are surrounded by outlets (e.g., grocery and convenience stores) that sell alcohol to be consumed elsewhere, or "off premises," as well as "on-premises" outlets such as bars and restaurants. High concentrations of alcohol outlets are associated with higher rates of heavy drinking and drinking-related problems among college students. 23

Alcohol outlets and advertisers team up to provide an additional incentive for underage drinking: price promotions and drink specials. In general, lower prices result in higher consumption levels across all age levels. 24 Price promotions offer discounts for high-volume purchases, such as kegs and cases of beer. College campuses near retailers that sell large volumes of low-price alcohol have higher rates of binge drinking than those campuses near outlets that do not sell discount alcohol. 25

Many bars and restaurants have discount prices (e.g., during happy hour) and drink specials (e.g., two for one, ladies drink free) that encourage heavy drinking among all customers, some of whom may be underage.

Many high school and college students say that they attend parties or go out drinking because "there is nothing else to do." Like older adults, adolescents and young adults enjoy socializing and need a variety of avenues to interact with peers, make new friends, and pursue romantic relationships. In the absence of alcohol-free places to socialize, young people go to parties where alcohol is present, and may succumb to peer pressure to drink.

How Underage Drinkers Obtain Alcohol

Underage drinkers obtain alcohol from two main sources: third parties, such as legal-age friends, siblings, and strangers; and commercial outlets, such as stores, bars, and restaurants (often by using a fake ID). 26

Home is the primary source of alcohol among the youngest drinkers. 27 Some youth take alcohol from their parents' liquor cabinets without their parents' knowledge. Some parents supply their underage children with alcohol at special events such as graduations, weddings, or holiday parties.

Underage drinkers sometimes ask strangers to buy alcohol for them, often in exchange for a fee or a portion of the alcohol purchased. This practice is called "shoulder tapping"-underage youth wait outside a store and tap a stranger on the shoulder to make the request. 28

Most underage drinkers report it is "very easy" to obtain alcohol; about one in four underage college students report that they can buy alcohol without age verification, or with a fake ID. 29 Studies of alcohol purchases across the country reveal that, depending on the location and the environmental context, 40 to 90 percent of retail outlets have sold alcohol to underage buyers. 30

In some cases, retailers do not ask for ID. In others, underage drinkers present an ID card that has been altered to indicate they are of legal drinking age, or an ID card that belongs to someone who is of legal drinking age. The underage drinker may resemble the person in the photograph, or may substitute his or her own picture and relaminate the card. People can purchase fake IDs on the Internet, buy them directly from counterfeiters, or use fraudulent documents to get a driver's license. Recent advancements in technology have made the counterfeiting of state-issued ID cards easier, using a scanner and a color printer. 31 Use of fake IDs is more common in urban areas and in states without consistent enforcement of underage purchase laws. 32 Furthermore, young people are more likely to obtain and use a fake ID if they think their peers support the practice. 33

Where Underage Drinking Occurs

Underage people drink at a variety of locations, including the following:

Parties in private residences. Large numbers of young people may gather in a home, often while the parents are away, or in a college student's off-campus residence. Parties in residential areas often generate complaints from neighbors who are disturbed by noise, improper parking, property damage, and littering. Such parties are of particular concern to police because they often include large numbers of underage drinkers and large quantities of alcohol. If the hosts charge an entry fee, they are essentially selling alcohol without a license, often to guests who are not of legal drinking age. House parties are popular among both high school and college students, as well as underage nonstudents. College students who live off campus are more likely to attend house parties than those who live on campus, and underage drinkers are more likely to gain access to alcohol at house parties than in bars or restaurants.34

Parties at outdoor venues such as beaches, parks, fields, or parking lots. The remoteness of these locations may reduce the chances that residents will be bothered, but also usually means that partygoers will have to drive home after drinking. These parties, like those in private residences, rarely provide nonalcoholic beverages or food to mitigate alcohol's intoxicating effects.

College campuses. Many colleges and universities have on-campus bars and pubs, and social and athletic events at which alcohol sales are permitted. Of particular note is the high rate of underage and binge drinking that occurs at fraternity houses. Over the years, fraternity membership has become closely associated with heavy drinking, as part of social events, pledging, and initiations.35 Most students who join fraternities expect that alcohol will be central to their experience, despite the fact that most are underage.36 The high levels of drinking associated with fraternities are hazardous not only to members, but also to the large number of underage college or high school guests who regularly attend fraternity parties. Breaking up these parties and identifying the responsible adult can be particularly difficult for police.37

Bars and restaurants. Older underage drinkers are more likely to drink in bars and restaurants.38 Their close proximity to campus and advertised drink promotions make these venues an attractive choice for off-campus underage drinking. Many colleges have out-of-state students, requiring doormen or bartenders to judge the authenticity of driver's licenses with which they might not be familiar.

Special events. Many colleges and communities have special events that seem to encourage widespread, heavy drinking, such as homecoming, graduation, pre- or post-semester parties, Halloween, Mardi Gras, and athletic events. Partly due to the large number of people present, and the failure of event planners to create specific "over 21 only" areas, underage people may have little difficulty getting alcohol through third-party purchases and drinking it unnoticed. In some cases, supervising adults both expect and tolerate underage drinking.

Spring break is a college ritual associated with excessive drinking and other high-risk, extreme behavior. One study of students visiting a Florida beach community during spring break found that 75 percent of the males reported being intoxicated at least once per day, while 40 percent of females reported the same. 39 More than 50 percent of the men and more than 40 percent of the women reported drinking until they got sick or until they passed out at least once during the weeklong period. Given that people usually vomit when their body's blood alcohol content (BAC) reaches approximately 0.16, and lose consciousness at a BAC of approximately 0.30, it is clear that many students on spring break are drinking at unsafe levels. 40

In addition, high school and college students often play any of hundreds of drinking games. 41 These games encourage heavy drinking, and the resulting inability to follow game rules leads to even more drinking.

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POP Center Problems Underage Drinking Page 1 Underage DrinkingGuide No. 27 (2006)by Kelly DedelPDF Guide Order Bound CopyTranslation(s): Consumo de Alcohol en Menores de Edad (Español)PDFO Consumo de lcool Pelos Menores (Portuguese)PDFThe Problem of Underage DrinkingThis guide begins by describing the problem of underage drinking†, and reviewing factors that contribute to it.

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This article is about underage drinking, its signs and risk factors. Underage drinking is drinking alcohol under the age of 21, and it is illegal. Some negative consequences that adolescence can experience from underage drinking include, social issues, problems in school, STDs health concerns and more. Signs of underage drinking include development of behavioral or academic problems, loss of interest or hobbies, inability to concentrate and memory problems and more. I can use this article to talk about the signs of underage drinking and what to watch out for.

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The Dangers Of Underage Drinking

In the United States, consuming alcohol under the age of 21 is considered underage drinking and is strictly against the law. Drinking underage comes with legal consequences including mandatory community service, suspended license, fines and potential time in jail. Not only do individuals put themselves in danger, but they also put others in jeopardy if they get behind the wheel of a car or become violent.

Many adolescents consume most of their alcohol by binge drinking. This means they consume an excessive amount of alcohol in a short period of time. Binge drinking for males involves having five or more drinks in a two-hour period, and four or more drinks for females in the same timeframe. It is extremely risky behavior that can lead to a host of problems, including alcohol poisoning. Frequent excessive drinking will begin to take a toll on a person's personal life, relationships, school work and possibly professional goals down the road.

Signs Of Underage Drinking

Family members, teachers, friends and other loved ones are usually the first people to recognize the warning signs of underage drinking. While some symptoms are easy to identify, others may not be as apparent. Warning signs, no matter how minor they may seem, should be taken seriously and treated immediately. Waiting for a drinking problem to simply fix itself can only worsen the situation and trigger more harmful effects.

Several common signs of underage drinking are:

Development Of Behavioral Or Academic Problems

Adolescents who drink tend to have sudden changes in their behavior and may begin to perform poorly in school. Mood changes often involve irritability, aggressiveness, anger and defensiveness. You may even notice dramatic changes in behavior - one minute they're happy and the next, they're upset. Additionally, drinking can cause academic issues. Sometimes students may skip school, disrupt class, not complete homework and receive failing grades. These are all signs of a potential problem and should be addressed immediately.

Loss Of Interest In Hobbies And Activities

During the middle and high school years, many adolescents participate in extracurricular activities and have various hobbies. However, young people who have developed an alcohol problem are less likely to care about the sports, performances or other activities they may be involved in. Suddenly, their attention shifts and they no longer care about the things that once made them happy. This is because they're focused on getting and drinking alcohol to satisfy a craving or urge.

Inability To Concentrate Or Experiencing Memory Problems

A common side effect of heavy drinking is memory loss. Having difficulty remembering things doesn't just occur in long-standing alcoholics. In fact, alcohol can significantly impact an adolescent's memory because their brain is still developing. Another problem triggered by drinking is a lack of concentration. When someone is under the influence, they are usually easily distracted and are unable to focus on a single task for too long. This may become apparent when they're doing school work or chores around the house.

Appears To Be Drunk Or Under The Influence

Alcohol has a very potent scent and is strong enough to be detected on an adolescent's breath, or as it seeps through the pores of their skin. To avoid confrontation with their parents or other loved ones, children may try to cover up the smell with mints or body spray. Other noticeable symptoms of drunkenness include slurred speech, coordination difficulties, bloodshot eyes and flushed face. These are red flags to watch out for when dealing with underage drinking.

Switching Friends And Being Secretive About Hanging Out

Another sign of alcohol use is when an adolescent's group of friends changes dramatically. It's common for underage drinkers to hang around peers that encourage or push them to consume alcohol. Information about these new friends is often limited and they generally keep a distance from family members. An adolescent may be very general when talking about hanging out with their new group of friends such as where they're going, who will be there and when they'll be back home.

Underage Drinking statistics

By age 15, roughly 33 percent of adolescents have had at least one drink. By age 18, that number increases to an estimated 60 percent. Every year, there are more than 4,000 alcohol-related deaths in individuals under the age of 21. This includes car accidents, homicides, alcohol poisoning and suicides. Adolescents who start drinking before the age of 15 are four times more likely to become alcohol dependent at some point in their lives.

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The Consequences Of Underage Drinking

Underage drinking can contribute to many short- and long-term side effects. Unfortunately, adolescents often do not think about the consequences associated with their drinking patterns until it's too late. Some of these effects can even stay dormant for years before surfacing.

Adolescent drinkers are likely to experience one or more of the following negative consequences:

Problems in school

Social issues

Health concerns

Physical or sexual assault

Unwanted or unplanned pregnancy

Sexually transmitted diseases

High risk of suicide attempts

Legal trouble

Abuse of other substances

Additional effects of alcohol use can develop as an adolescent gets older. For example, long-term alcohol consumption can lead to cardiovascular diseases, liver disease, cancer, nerve damage and respiratory infections. Some of these conditions are often irreversible and can worsen a person's health over time.

The only way to prevent the health risks associated with alcohol is to quit drinking entirely. Every day, month, and year that goes by alcohol-free reduces the chance of dangerous complications.

Preventing Underage Drinking

Although you cannot force an adolescent to stay away from experimenting with alcohol, there are several ways to help prevent underage drinking. First and foremost, you should talk to the child about the dangers of drinking. Have an open dialogue about peer pressure, the negative effects of alcohol, and the physical and emotional troubles caused by drinking. Kids should also have a chance to discuss how they feel, as well as ask any questions they may have. It's important for adolescents to feel at ease when talking with a family member or loved one. This builds trust which serves as the foundation of a strong relationship.

Another way to keep a child from drinking is to encourage hobbies and activities. Find out their interests - athletics, acting, musical instruments or volunteering - and let them try some out. After-school activities give kids an opportunity to meet new peers, stay busy and have fun doing something they enjoy. This is also a great opportunity for parents or other loved ones to become involved in the adolescent's life and show support.

Find Help For Your Loved One

If you know an adolescent who is showing the signs of a drinking problem, you should seek help sooner rather than later.

Contact a treatment provider today to learn more about adolescent treatment options nearby.

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In the United States, consuming alcohol under the age of 21 is considered underage drinking and is strictly against the law. Drinking underage comes with legal consequences including mandatory community service, suspended license, fines and potential time in jail.