Why is Adolescent Mental Health a Public Health Issue?
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36.7% of all high school students have felt sad or hopeless
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18.8% of high school students seriously contemplated attempting suicide
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1 in 6 U.S. children aged 6-17 experience a mental health disorder each year
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About half of youth with mental health conditions did not receive treatment or counseling from a mental health specialist
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96% of schools stated that they offered at least one mental health service for students in 2021-2022
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HOWEVER only one-third (34%) of schools provided universal mental health screenings and outreach for all students​
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Adolescent Mental Health By the Numbers
1 in 3
More than 1 in 3 students experienced persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness in 2019.
40%
More Hispanic teens experienced feelings of sadness or hopelessness than their White and Black counterparts
46.6%
Almost half of female students experienced persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness in 2019.
1 in 5
About 1 in 5 adolescents seriously considered attempting suicide in 2019
Data and Graph Source: National Youth Risk Behavior Survey Data Summary & Trends Report, 2009-2019
Data and Graph Source: National Youth Risk Behavior Survey Data Summary & Trends Report, 2009-2019
Data and Graph Source: National Youth Risk Behavior Survey Data Summary & Trends Report, 2009-2019
Data and Graph Source: The Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (YRBSS): 2019
Data and Graph Source: National Youth Risk Behavior Survey Data Summary & Trends Report, 2009-2019