Youth Mental Health Crisis: The Pandemic's Lasting Shadow

The COVID-19 pandemic may have ended, but its psychological toll on America's youth continues to reverberate through our schools and communities. New data from the CDC's Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System reveals a sobering reality: while some mental health indicators have improved since the darkest days of 2021, we're nowhere near returning to pre-pandemic levels.

Our analysis of national high school data shows that 39.7% of students reported feeling sad or hopeless for two weeks or more in 2023—still significantly higher than the 36.7% who reported these feelings in 2019, before the pandemic began.

The Gender Gap Widens

The data reveals a troubling and persistent gender disparity. While both male and female students experienced increases in mental health struggles during the pandemic, the impact on girls has been far more severe. In 2023, 52.6% of female students reported persistent sadness or hopelessness compared to just 27.7% of male students—a gap that has widened significantly since 2019.

This pattern holds true for suicidal ideation as well. In 2023, 27.1% of girls said they had seriously considered suicide compared to 14.1% of boys. While both figures are down slightly from their 2021 peaks, they remain alarmingly high and well above pre-pandemic levels.

Racial and Ethnic Disparities

When we look beyond national averages, stark differences emerge among racial and ethnic groups. The mental health crisis is not affecting all communities equally.

American Indian and Alaska Native students report the highest rates of emotional distress at 44.8%, followed by Hispanic students at 42.4%. Multi-race and Black students also report higher-than-average levels of sadness. While Asian students report the lowest levels of distress at 32.1%, this still represents a substantial portion of students struggling with their mental health.

The Alarming Reality of Suicide

The survey also tracks more serious indicators of mental health crisis. In 2023, nearly one in six students (16.3%) made a suicide plan, and almost one in ten (9.4%) reported attempting suicide. These numbers, while showing some improvement from 2021, remain alarmingly high and well above pre-pandemic levels.

"Schools are often the first point of contact for students in crisis, making them critical partners in addressing this mental health emergency. We need trained counselors, confidential services, and culturally responsive care."

Looking Ahead

America's youth mental health crisis did not start with the pandemic, and it will not end automatically. While some indicators show modest improvement in 2023, we remain far from pre-pandemic baselines. Female students and American Indian and Alaska Native students face the highest risks and need targeted interventions.

The path forward requires sustained investment in policy, funding, and community engagement. We need to expand access to mental health services, reduce stigma, and create support systems that can meet the scale of this crisis. The data is clear: our youth are calling for help. It's time we answer.