CDC reports improvements in US teen mental health

New data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Youth Risk Behavior Survey indicates an improvement in the mental health and well-being of high school students. Between 2023 and 2025, reported rates of persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness declined from 40% to 33%.

Other key metrics showing improvement include a decrease in students reporting poor mental health, which fell to 23% in 2025 from 29% in previous years. Measures related to suicide also saw declines: the percentage of students who seriously considered attempting suicide dropped to 14% from 20% in 2023, and those who made a suicide plan decreased to 12% from 16% in 2023.

While the trends are described as hopeful, experts note that many indicators have not yet returned to pre-pandemic levels. Additionally, female students continue to report higher rates of mental health struggles compared to their male peers.