The latest Youth Risk Behavior Survey conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has shown some promising news regarding teen girls’ mental health. The percentage of teen girls experiencing persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness has decreased from 57% in 2021 to 53% in 2023. Additionally, the percentage of girls who have seriously considered suicide has also declined from 30% to 27% during the same period. While these improvements are encouraging, female students still struggle more than their male peers, with half of them reporting persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness.
However, despite the slight improvements in teen girls’ mental health, there has been a rise in school violence among students overall. The percentage of teens feeling threatened at school increased from 7% to 9%, and those feeling bullied at school rose from 15% to 19% from 2021 to 2023. LGBTQ+ high school students are especially vulnerable, experiencing higher rates of violence, poor mental health, and suicidal thoughts and behaviors compared to their peers.
Dr. Ellen Rome from Cleveland Clinic Children’s Hospital emphasizes the need for continued action to address the high levels of emotional distress among teens, even with some positive findings. Dr. Gary Maslow from Duke University highlights the ongoing challenges faced by many young people, with scenarios where half of a high school classroom may be struggling with thoughts of suicide. The CDC recommends reaching out to the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988 or the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255 for support. Additional resources can be found at SpeakingOfSuicide.com/resources.
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