Youth Photovoice shares the stories behind the data.

Lanie Arrowood

Age: 17

Focus: Exercise

‘Sports have always meant alot to me. I wanted to show how sports can bring people together and create a family.’

2022 Spartanburg County Youth Risk Behavior Survey Data

41% of youth attended PE one or more days per week

55% played on at least one sports team

63% of males and 43% of females report being physically active for 60+ minutes 5 or more days

Alex Heffner

Age: 15

Focus: Mental Health and LGBTQ+ Community

‘The photograph is of a friend. When I showed him the photographs I took of him, he started to cry from the joy, and it made me happy.’

2022 Spartanburg County Youth Risk Behavior Survey Data

38% of students experienced depression, including half of all females

Nearly 2 out of 3 LGB students made a plan to attempt suicide

LBGTQ+ youth in Spartanburg are more likely to not attend school due to feeling unsafe 

Savion Madison

Age: 18

Focus: Violence and Violence Prevention

‘Where I grew up many people died from violence, and I wanted to shine a light on a situation I feel people take too lightly.’

2022 Spartanburg County Youth Risk Behavior Survey Data

26% of males were in a physical fight

24% of females report being bullied on school property

81% agreed that they can resist peer pressure or dangerous situations

Mia Easler

Age: 22

Focus: Community Health

‘My images reflect the relationship between humans and their environment. I hope to spark a conversation around human waste. These scenes are not staged but captured from an external yet artistic lens.’

2022 Spartanburg County Youth Risk Behavior Survey Data

Out of School Time data revealed:

46% Participate in activities run by Community Groups during the school week

36% Work a paying job outside their home during the school week

Kara Williams

Age: 16

Focus: Mental Health

‘I see my peers around me work between mental health and school life. I’ve personally wondered what’s beyond people’s eyes – the journey of their life.’

2022 Spartanburg County Youth Risk Behavior Survey Data

1 in 4 students got 8 hours of sleep on an average night

2x as many females as males reported health was not good (stress, anxiety or depression)

Ashlynn Clayton

Age: 17

Focus: Substance Abuse, specifically Alcohol Abuse

‘We have a lot of substance abuse classes but most are directed towards other drugs. My photos demonstrate what alcoholism can do to a person. For a lot of teens this leads to drinking and driving.’

2022 Spartanburg County Youth Risk Behavior Survey Data

15% of students use alcohol

7% reported binge drinking

Only 1% received substance use treatment/counseling

Natalee Robinson

Age: 17

Focus: CDC Priority Safe and Supportive Environments Fosters School Connectedness

‘When you are having a problem at school, you have an anxiety attack. You’ll break down and start crying or mentally check out. I go to a teacher who is always on hand, she’ll stop what she’s doing and pay attention, do what she can to make the situation better.’

2022 Spartanburg County Youth Risk Behavior Survey Data

Youth who feel connected to adults who care at school are less likely to experience negative health outcomes.

Overall, 43% of students had an adult in their family or other caring adult to talk with about feelings. Only 29% of Black and Hispanic females.

Thalia Moreno

Age: 17

Focus: Food Nutrition

‘I wanted to bring awareness to the nutrition that many students consume, and to shine a light on the food available at many schools.’

Greene French

Age: 18

Focus: Mental Health in the LGBTQ+ Community

‘The first couple of photos are blurry. As the photos progress you see there is a person in the photo, me with another person who helps keep me steady. I think this is a common denominator in the LGBTQ+ community.’

2022 Spartanburg County Youth Risk Behavior Survey Data

LGBTQ+ youth in Spartanburg are more likely to have felt sad or hopeless almost every day for more than 2 weeks in a row so that they stopped doing some usual activities

They are more likely to have been in a physical fight, experienced bullying at school and online

Xavier Madison

Age: 21

Focus: Sexual Health

‘We usually focus on abstinence. The times are changing, and instead of forcing a tradition, our teaching should evolve.’

2021 Spartanburg County Youth Risk Behavior Survey Data

30% of students reported ever having sex

33% of sexually active students used a form of birth control to prevent pregnancy

48% of students used a condom during last intercourse