SBIRT Newsletters
Parent/Guardian SBIRT Newsletters
Please find below all SBIRT newsletters for the 2025-26 school year.
September 2025 – Anxiety
Seattle Public Schools SBIRT data suggests that 15% of 6-9th graders experienced symptoms of anxiety in the 2024-25 school year.
Overview
It can be difficult to see the difference between regular anxiety and problematic anxiety, especially in teens with high stress. Anxiety can become a problem when it has no reasonable cause, interferes with daily routines, or causes physical symptoms.*
Facts
Symptoms of anxiety can have major impacts on a student’s day. Beyond interfering with daily life (Like sleep, eating, and hygiene routines), anxiety can also affect a student’s academic performance, social outcomes, physical health, and even their safety.**
Question
“What are students anxious about?”
In SBIRT brief interventions, students have emphasized academic and social factors as key sources of anxiety. However, causes of anxiety vary and it’s important to ask each teen about their feelings individually.
Call to Action
You can support your child by proactively helping them to develop positive social, coping, and problem-solving skills, and by encouraging access to mental health support. Teens can turn to coping mechanisms like substance use or self-harm when they lack the skills to cope with their feelings.**
* World Health Organization (WHO), 2024
** World Health Organization (WHO), 2024
October – Bullying Prevention
Seattle Public Schools’ SBIRT data suggests that 16% of students in grades 7-9 have experienced bullying or harassment this year.
Overview
Bullying can harm entire communities and happens on and off school campuses, as well as on line. It prevents youth from feeling safe and connected to their learning environments.*
Facts
Students who are bullied can experience physical, social, academic, emotional, and mental health concerns. Students who bully can engage in violent or risky behavior. Students who witness bullying can experience mental health concerns and can engage in risky behavior too.**
Question
“Who can I contact if I’m concerned about my child being bullied or bullying others?” Sometimes families feel at a loss with supporting their child through bullying. Contacting your student’s school counselor, social worker, or administrator is a great start.
Call to Action
You can prevent bullying by talking openly with your child. Instead of “How was school?” try more specific questions like “What happens at lunch?” or “Who do you sit with?” You can also monitor devices and set parental limits to support their responsible on line presence.**
* American Psychological Association (APA), Students Experiencing Bullying, 2021
** U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Stopbullying.gov, Prevention, 2021