What to know
This report shows particularly stark increases in mental health challenges, experiences of violence, and suicidal thoughts and behaviors—especially among girls and youth who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, questioning, or another non-heterosexual identity (LGBQ+).
Overview
The Youth Risk Behavior Survey Data Summary & Trends Report: 2011-2021, released February 2023, shows that many youth are struggling with threats to their health and well-being. Many of these trends have worsened over the last decade.
Highlights
- Almost 3 in 5 experienced persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness in the past year.
- More than 1 in 4 seriously considered attempting suicide.
- 2 in 10 experienced sexual violence in the past year, and more than 1 in 10 had ever been forced to have sex.
- More than half experienced poor mental health during the past month.
- Nearly one-fourth attempted suicide in the past year.
- LGBQ+ students were twice as likely as heterosexual students to report being bullied at school.
- American Indian or Alaska Native students were more likely than students from nearly all other racial and ethnic groups to have ever been forced to have sex.
- Hispanic and multiracial students were more likely than students from other racial and ethnic groups to report persistent depressive symptoms.
- Reported suicide attempts were higher among Black students than students from many other racial or ethnic groups.
Schools are on the frontline of the crisis
More than 95% of U.S. youth spend much of their daily lives in school. Schools are a place for the skill-building and support students need to improve mental health and prevent and reduce the negative impact of violence and other trauma.
- Foster students' sense of school connectedness by ensuring they know there are safe and trusted adults around them—like mentors, trained teachers, and staff—who care about them, their well-being, and their success. Feeling connected promotes adolescent well-being.
- Equip students with essential skills like understanding what is meant by true consent, managing emotions, and asking for what they need.
- Connect students to their classmates and communities through school-based clubs and community outreach.
What we can do
What Works in Schools
- Make school environments safer and more supportive, with a strong focus on improving school connectedness—a sense among all students that they are cared for, supported, and belong at school.
- Connect youth and their families to needed services at school or in the community—including mental health and substance abuse prevention services.
- Implement quality health education that is medically accurate, developmentally appropriate, culturally and LGBTQ+ inclusive, and grounded in science.
With a relatively small investment, CDC's program can make a profound difference in the lives of youth.
Schools that participate in the What Works in Schools program have seen improvements in a wide range of health behaviors, including sexual behaviors, substance use, and sexual violence.