According to data from the CDC’s 2024 Youth Risk Behavior Survey, American teens are showing a slight improvement in their mental health. The number of students reporting feelings of sadness or hopelessness decreased from 42 percent in 2021 to 40 percent in 2023. Although the change is small, it marks the first decline in over a decade. There were also modest yet significant decreases in the percentage of female, Hispanic, and Black students who experienced persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness or who seriously considered attempting suicide.

Despite these encouraging trends, the report highlights ongoing disparities in youth mental health, particularly among girls and LGBTQ+ students. The CDC also noted an increase in the number of students reporting violence and safety concerns at school or on the way to school, with a growing number of students missing school because they don’t feel safe. A CDC spokesperson emphasized that while more schools are working to improve social-emotional support for students, much work remains to be done.