Teen Girls Report Less Sadness, CDC Says

As families prepare for the back-to-school season, recent findings from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) indicate a slight improvement in the mental health of teenage girls. The latest Youth Risk Behavior Survey reveals a decrease in the percentage of teen girls experiencing persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness, dropping from 57% in 2021 to 53% in 2023. Additionally, the number of girls seriously considering suicide has also declined from 30% to 27%. Experts, including Dr. Ellen Rome from Cleveland Clinic Children's Hospital, acknowledge this progress but emphasize that the figures remain alarmingly high. Despite these positive trends, the survey highlights that female students continue to face greater mental health challenges compared to their male counterparts. Dr. Anisha Abraham from Children’s National points out that nearly half of the surveyed female students still report feelings of sadness or helplessness. Dr. Gary Maslow from Duke University underscores the precarious nature of these improvements, suggesting that the situation remains uncertain. However, the report also notes a concerning rise in school violence, with the percentage of teens feeling threatened at school increasing from 7% to 9% between 2021 and 2023. Bullying has also escalated, with reports rising from 15% to 19%. The emotional impact of these issues is particularly severe for LGBTQ students, who experience higher rates of violence, mental health struggles, and suicidal thoughts, with nearly 30% reporting bullying and 20% attempting suicide in 2023.