The CDC says there are some alarming trends from the most recent Youth Risk Behavior Survey, including more violence and suicidal thoughts – especially among girls.
CDC Acting Principal Deputy Director Dr. Debra Houry says the latest survey, conducted among 17,000 high school students in the fall of 2021, shows what she calls a “distressing picture.”
“America's teen girls are engulfed in a growing wave of sadness, violence and trauma,” said Dr. Houry. “Over the past decade, teens — especially girls — have experienced dramatic increases in experiences of violence, and poor mental health and suicide risk.”
Nearly three in five teen girls said they felt persistently sad or hopeless in 2021. That’s twice the rate of boys, and a 60% increase over the highest level reported in the past decade. One in four said they made a suicide plan.
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Almost half of LGBTQ students said they had seriously considered a suicide attempt, and recent poor mental health was reported by half of LGBTQ kids and almost one-third of American Indian and Alaska Native youth.
“These data are hard to hear and should result in action,” said Dr. Houry.
“As a parent to a teenage girl, I am heartbroken. As a public health leader, I am driven to act and prevent these issues.”
The survey also finds 14% of U.S. teen girls say they’ve been forced to have sex — up 27% since 2019, and the first increase since they started tracking it.
“For every 10 teenage girls, at least one of them and probably more has been raped. This tragedy cannot continue,” said CDC Division of Adolescent and School Health Director Kathleen Ethier. She added that training for teachers is just one necessary step in stemming the current trend.
“Schools should also connect youth to needed services and provide high-quality health education that teaches skills like understanding sexual consent, managing emotions and communication,” said Ethier.
She says schools that have implemented a CDC pilot program called “What Works in Schools” have seen significant benefits.
If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health-related distress or suicidal thoughts, you can call or text 988, or chat at 988lifeline.org.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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