Mental Health & Statistics
The teen and young adulthood years are a time of growth and transition, and the prevalence of mental health problems such as depression, anxiety, eating disorders, suicidal ideation, and self-injury continue to rise. As a result, mental health and suicide awareness issues are at or near the top of every school administrator’s list of priorities. The facts cannot be ignored – our country’s teens and young adults are struggling more than ever before.
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Youth Risk Behavior Survey is collected every two years as a measurement of health behaviors and experiences of high school students in the United States. The 2023 report shows many alarming trends that have risen over the past 10 years between 2013-2023. More than 40% of high school students felt so sad or hopeless almost every day for at least two weeks in a row that they stopped doing their usual activities. Factors such as the use of social media and addictive technologies, cyberbullying, racism, isolation and loneliness and gender identity continue to wreak havoc on the mental health of young people.
“I’ve been struggling with depression and anxiety. The young adult speaker presentation made a big impact on me and made me realize that I can get through. I feel like I have the motivation to get help….the first step I’ll make will be to make an appointment with the counseling center.”
College Student
Suicide
Suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death among 15-24 year olds in the United States. Every day, 135 people died from suicide in the United States.
In 2023, sixteen percent of high school students made a suicide plan during the past year, 2 in 10 students seriously considered attempting suicide, and almost 1 in 10 did attempt suicide in the past year, including 1 in 5 LGBTQ students. Female and LGBTQ students continue to experience higher levels of violence, substance use, poor mental health, and suicidal thoughts and behaviors than male and cisgender heterosexual students.
National Emergency
In late 2021 two prominent organizations raised significant attention to the youth mental health crisis in the US. One joint announcement came from The American Academy of Pediatrics/American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry/Children’s Hospital Association, and the other came from the U.S. Surgeon General. The severity of issues cannot be ignored. All of us – families, friends, teachers, coaches, school administrators, and communities as a whole – need to take action to help address the challenges high school and college students are facing.
“A national state of emergency in child and adolescent mental health” – The American Academy of Pediatrics
“The challenges today’s generation of young people face are unprecedented and uniquely hard to navigate. And the effect these challenges are having on their mental health is devastating. Our obligation to act is not just medical—it’s moral.” – US Surgeon General
“Between 2007-2018 the suicide rate among adolescents and young adults aged 10-24 increased 57%” – CDC
Suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death among 15-24 year olds
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
988
Over 70% of people who attempted suicide have an anxiety disorder
of college students experience depressive symptoms
of college students experience anxiety symptoms
Anxiety & Depression
According to the CDC, 1 in 5 children have or will develop a mental health disorder, yet the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) reports the average delay between the onset of mental health symptoms and intervention is 11 years ! The 10-year trends for increased levels of depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation among college students are alarming, with 41% experiencing depressive symptoms (up from 20% in 2015) and 36% experiencing anxiety symptoms – up from 20% in 2015. (Healthy Minds Network).