A new report from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that 30% of female high school students surveyed in 2021 had seriously considered attempting suicide in the past year.
This “Youth Risk Behavior Survey Data Summary & Trends Report: 2011-2021” highlights trends from a full set of data that is expected to be released in the spring. In addition to data about suicidal thoughts, the report covers youth sexual behavior, substance use, experiences of violence and mental health.
Overall, 22% of high school students surveyed in 2021 said they seriously considered attempting suicide during the past year, with 14% of male high school students reporting that they had seriously considered attempting suicide. Female students, LGBQ+ students and students who had any same-sex partners were more likely than their peers to seriously consider attempting suicide, per the report.
“As we saw in the 10 years prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, mental health among students overall continues to worsen, with more than 40% of high school students feeling so sad or hopeless that they could not engage in their regular activities for at least two weeks during the previous year – a possible indication of the experience of depressive symptoms,” the report said. “We also saw significant increases in the percentage of youth who seriously considered suicide, made a suicide plan, and attempted suicide.”
Nearly 60% of female high school students surveyed in 2021 said they experienced persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness and 25% said they had made a suicide plan.
While percentages for female students were particularly high, the CDC said that “among nearly all groups of students, percentages of students who seriously considered suicide, made a suicide plan, or attempted suicide were high and have increased.”
In 2021, 42% of high school students felt sad or hopeless almost every day for at least two weeks in a row. LGBQ+ students and students who had any same-sex partners were more likely to experience persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness than others. Hispanic and multiracial students were also more likely than white, Black and Asian students to experience persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness.
Although Black students were less likely to report “poor mental health and persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness than some other groups of students,” they were significantly more likely to have attempted suicide compared to white, Asian and Hispanic students.
“Suicide risk, measured here by increasing levels of suicide ideation, plans, and attempts, not only places the life of the adolescent at risk but is also a marker for experience with trauma and other mental health issues,” said the report.
In 2021, U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy released a “Protecting Youth Mental Health” advisory with recommendations for improving mental health for young Americans. Resources for those struggling with mental health issues and thoughts of suicide are also available through the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
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