Mental Health | Adolescent and School Health

Adolescent mental health continues to worsen

CDC’s Youth Risk Behavior Survey Data Summary & Trends Report: 2013–2023 highlights concerning trends about the mental health of U.S. high school students.

In 2023, CDC found that:

• 4 in 10 students (40%) had persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness.
• 2 in 10 (20%) students seriously considered attempting suicide and nearly 1 in 10 (9%) attempted suicide.

These data bring into focus the level of distress many students are experiencing.

See Also

Examine trend data on health behaviors and experiences among U.S. high school students.

Some groups are more affected than others

These feelings of distress were found to be more common among female students, LGBTQ+ students, and students across racial and ethnic groups.

• In 2023, female students and LGBTQ+ students experienced more signs of poor mental health and suicidal thoughts and behaviors than their male and cisgender and heterosexual peers.
• In 2023, Asian and white students were less likely to attempt suicide than students of other races and ethnicities.

See Also

CDC data offer an important snapshot of adolescent health and well-being related to mental health.

Why it’s important

Poor mental health in adolescence is more than feeling blue. It can effect many areas of a teen’s life.

Mental health problems in youth often go hand-in-hand with other health and behavioral risks like increased risk of drug use, experiencing violence, and higher risk sexual behaviors that can lead to HIV, STDs and unintended pregnancy.

Because many health behaviors and habits are established in adolescence that will carry over into adult years, it is very important to help youth develop good mental health.

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The good news

• Fortunately, the same prevention strategies that promote mental health—like helping students feel connected to school/family—help prevent a range of negative experiences, like drug use and violence.
• Building strong bonds and relationships with adults and friends at school, at home and in the community provides youth with a sense of connectedness.
• This feeling of connectedness is important and can protect adolescents from poor mental health, and other risks like drug use and violence.
• Youth need to know someone cares about them.
• Connections can be made virtually or in person.

See Also

Learn how school connectedness can help students to do well in school.

Supporting teen mental health

There is a role for everyone in supporting teen mental health.

Schools are critical in our communities to supporting children and families. While the expectation is that schools provide education, they also provide opportunities for youth to engage in physical activity and academic, social, mental health, and physical health services, all of which can relieve stress and help protect against negative outcomes.

What schools can do

Critical supports and services, which need to be comprehensive and community wide, should include:

Schools

• Implement strategies and approaches that can help prevent mental health problems and promote positive behavior and mental health of students.
• Help students cope with emergencies and their aftermath.
• Provide safe and supportive environments—whether in person or virtually.
  • Linking students to mental health services.
  • Integrating social emotional learning.
  • Training staff.
  • Supporting staff mental health.
  • Reviewing discipline policies to ensure equity.
  • Building safe and supportive environments.

See Also

School mental health education can help build students’ mental health literacy.

Parents and families

• Communicate openly and honestly, including about their values.
• Supervise their adolescent to facilitate healthy decision-making.
• Spend time with their adolescent, enjoying shared activities.
• Become engaged in school activities and help with homework.
• Volunteer at their adolescent’s school.
• Communicate regularly with teachers and administrators.

Health care providers

• Ask adolescents about family relationships and school experiences as a part of routine health screenings.
• Encourage positive parenting practices.
• Talk to parents about how to connect with their adolescents, communicate effectively, and monitor activities and health behaviors.
• Educate parents and youth about adolescent development and health risks.

More information

Parents and families may find the following resources helpful to support the mental and emotional well-being of their adolescents: