July 16, 2024
Mental Health | Tea Leaves
  • Recent data indicates a gradual improvement in youth mental health following significant declines during the COVID-19 pandemic, though some metrics still lag behind pre-pandemic levels. In several states, including North Carolina, Washington, and Colorado, surveys show decreased rates of sadness and hopelessness among high school students compared to previous years. Kathleen Ethier from the CDC’s Division of Adolescent and School Health highlights these gains as a result of increased resources dedicated to student well-being. However, challenges persist, particularly among LGBTQ+ students and teen girls, who continue to face more acute mental health issues. Despite progress, ongoing efforts are needed to sustain and further improve mental health support in schools nationwide. (Article here)