Youth Mental Health
High rates of U.S. high school students experienced persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness.
Mental health among U.S. high school students, by sex and sexual identity
Fall 2021
Source: CDC Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS). Notes: Because the 2021 national YRBS did not have a question assessing gender identity, data specifically on students who identify as transgender is not available. Survey questions on mental health and suicidality were worded as “During the past 12 months, did you….”
From 2011–2021, the share of high school students that experienced persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness, seriously considered suicide, or attempted suicide increased by 50%, 38%, and 25%, respectively.1 While reports of worsening mental health were higher among all teens, female and LGBQ+ students fared worst according to Fall 2021 data. The share of female students that experienced persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness, poor mental health in the last 30 days, and seriously considered suicide, was twice the share of male students. Over half of LGBQ+ students experienced persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness and poor mental health, while nearly half seriously considered attempting suicide — rates 2 to 3 times higher than that of heterosexual students.
Growing research shows that young people are significantly impacted by climate change.[2],[3] In a global study of over 10,000 young people, 59% reported that they were very or extremely worried about climate change, while 84% were at least moderately worried.[4] Young people are uniquely affected by climate change, as they struggle with the physical and mental impacts from both short-term events (severe weather disasters like wildfires, hurricanes, and floods) and ongoing crises (droughts and poor air quality). Disruptions to schooling and education, unstable housing and displacement, and hunger are just some of the physical effects of climate change that can severely harm youth development (Likelihood of Eviction/Foreclosure).[5],[6],[7]
Yet, many young people have channeled their fears and concerns into action, challenging politicians and policymakers to make policy decisions that reflect their rhetoric to build a better future for the youth.[8],[9],[10]
U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021). Youth Risk Behavior Survey. https://www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/data/yrbs/pdf/YRBS_Data-Summary-Trends_Report2023_508.pdf
Sanson, A., & Bellemo, M. (2021). Children and youth in the climate crisis. BJPsych Bulletin, 45(4), 205–209. https://doi.org/10.1192/bjb.2021.16
Clayton, S., Manning, C., Hill, A. N., & Speiser, M. (2023). Mental Health and Our Changing Climate Children and Youth Report 2023. Apa.org. https://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/2023/10/mental-health-youth-report-2023.pdf
Whitlock, J. (2023). Climate change anxiety in young people. Nature Mental Health, 1(5), 297–298. https://doi.org/10.1038/s44220-023-00059-3
Acosta, S. (2022, February 15). Stable Housing Is Foundational to Children’s Well-Being. Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. https://www.cbpp.org/blog/stable-housing-is-foundational-to-childrens-well-being
Deni Mazrekaj, & Kristof De Witte. (2023). The Impact of School Closures on Learning and Mental Health of Children: Lessons From the COVID-19 Pandemic. Perspectives on Psychological Science. https://doi.org/10.1177/17456916231181108
Gallegos, D., Eivers, A., Sondergeld, P., & Pattinson, C. (2021). Food Insecurity and Child Development: A State-of-the-Art Review. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(17). https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18178990
Francis, S. (2021, September 15). 12 climate activists inspiring us to fight climate change | International Rescue Committee (IRC). Www.rescue.org. https://www.rescue.org/uk/article/12-climate-activists-inspiring-us-fight-climate-change
United Nations. (2023). Youth in Action. United Nations. https://www.un.org/en/climatechange/youth-in-action
UNICEF. (2023). Young climate activists demand action and inspire hope. Www.unicef.org. https://www.unicef.org/stories/young-climate-activists-demand-action-inspire-hope
