CDC reports record levels of sadness among teen girls

Teen girls in the United States are experiencing record-high levels of sadness and violence, as per new federal data. A Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report published Monday revealed that in 2021, nearly 60% of girls reported feeling persistently sad or hopeless, up from 36% in 2011. One in three teen girls on the survey said they seriously considered attempting suicide.

“Many measures were moving in the wrong direction before the pandemic. These data show the mental health crisis among young people continues,” Kathleen Ethier, director of the CDC’s division of adolescent and school health, said at a media briefing. The findings are “alarming,” she said.

The mental health crisis has worsened overall, even though several areas of adolescent health improved, including a decrease in risky sexual behavior, prescription opioid misuse and current alcohol use.

The report also revealed 52% of LGBTQ+ students recently experienced poor mental health, with over one in five having attempted suicide in the past year. Boys have also seen an increase in persistent sadness, rising from 21% in 2011 to 29% in 2021, and their overall suicide rates have risen by one percentage point over the decade.

“These data are clear: our young people are in crisis and schools are on the front line of this crisis and must be equipped with the tools to support young people,” Ethier stated.

Individuals struggling with suicidal thoughts or mental health matters can call the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline or visit the hotline’s website.