A recent survey conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (C.D.C.) has revealed some positive trends in the mental health of teenage girls, indicating a slight improvement since the height of the pandemic. The survey, which was distributed to over 20,000 high school students across the country in 2023, showed that 53 percent of girls reported experiencing extreme depressive symptoms, a decrease from 57 percent in 2021. This is a promising sign considering the alarming rates of persistent sadness reported by teenage girls in previous years.
While the suicide risk among girls remained relatively stable compared to the previous survey, there was a significant decrease in suicide attempts among Black students in 2023. This is a positive development, as Black students had reported troubling increases in suicide attempts in 2021. However, the overall number of teens reporting persistent sadness in 2023 still remains higher than in previous years, apart from 2021.
It is worth noting that around 65 percent of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (L.G.B.T.) high school students reported feeling persistent hopelessness, which is significantly higher than their cisgender or heterosexual peers. Additionally, one in five L.G.B.T.Q. students reported attempting suicide in the past year, highlighting the ongoing mental health crisis among young people, especially those in the L.G.B.T.Q. community.
Kathleen Ethier, the head of the C.D.C.’s adolescent and school health program, acknowledged that there is still a crisis in mental health among young people. However, she also expressed optimism about the positive trends observed in the latest survey, referring to them as “glimmers of hope.”
The findings of the survey indicate that while there has been some improvement in the mental health of teenage girls, there is still a long way to go in addressing the mental health challenges faced by young people, particularly those in marginalized communities. It is crucial for parents, educators, and policymakers to prioritize mental health support and resources for teenagers to ensure their well-being and resilience in the face of ongoing challenges.
