The 2023 Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) reveals several important insights about the mental health of high school students, highlighting both challenges and some promising trends:
- There is a continuing youth mental health crisis, with persistent high levels of sadness, hopelessness, and suicidal thoughts and behaviors among students.
- Around 40% of students overall reported persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness. Female students, LGBTQ+ students, and students from marginalized racial and ethnic groups are particularly affected.
- Suicidal thoughts and behaviors remain concerning, with notable percentages of female and Hispanic students seriously considering or attempting suicide.
- Experiencing racism and unfair discipline at school are linked to higher levels of poor mental health and suicide risk. Students who experienced racism or unfair discipline reported greater sadness, hopelessness, suicidal thoughts, and other health risk behaviors.
- Frequent social media use is associated with higher rates of being bullied, feelings of sadness and hopelessness, and suicide risk.
- Despite these challenges, there are early signs of mental health improvements since 2021, including slight decreases in persistent sadness and suicidal thoughts among some groups.
- Protective factors like getting enough sleep, eating well, physical activity, and supportive relationships are emphasized as ways to support youth mental health.
- Schools and communities are encouraged to create safe, supportive environments, especially for vulnerable groups such as youth of color and LGBTQ+ students.
In summary, the 2023 YRBS underscores a significant ongoing mental health challenge for high school students, influenced by social factors such as racism, discipline practices, and social media use, while also highlighting ways to foster resilience and support for young people. This summary reflects data from national findings showing 40% overall students feeling persistently sad or hopeless, high suicide risk indicators especially among female and LGBTQ+ students, and the impact of racism, unfair discipline, and social media on mental health.
