Fewer American teenagers report feeling persistently sad or hopeless

There is some encouraging news about American teenagers’ mental health. The share of high school students reporting persistent sadness or hopelessness fell from 42% in 2021 to 33% in 2025, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The same national survey found that the proportion who seriously considered attempting suicide fell from 22% to 14%. These are students’ reported experiences, rather than clinical diagnoses, and many young people are still struggling.

The figures do not tell us what caused the improvement. Separate research using the 2023 survey found that feeling connected to school, getting enough sleep and having an adult who met basic needs were associated with lower mental-health and suicide risks. That study also cannot establish cause and effect.

It does, however, point towards practical areas for support: stronger relationships, supportive schools and help with everyday needs. The latest results offer a reason to keep investing that care. Fewer students are reporting the persistent distress that reached such high levels earlier in the decade.

Sources

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention — CDC Data Show Encouraging Progress in Youth Health
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention — Technical Notes and Data Tables for Youth Health in Focus: Findings From the National Youth Risk Behavior Survey 2015–2025
• Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report — Mental Health and Suicide Risk Among High School Students and Protective Factors — Youth Risk Behavior Survey, United States, 2023