A recent national survey on drug use and health shows promising trends for youth mental health and substance use. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration released the latest report, which includes data from 2021 to 2025.
Key Findings
Fewer adolescents aged 12 to 17 reported using tobacco, alcohol, marijuana, and binge drinking in the previous month. Additionally, there were declining trends for major depressive episodes and fewer reported serious thoughts of suicide, making a suicide plan, and attempting suicide.
Young adults aged 18 to 25 also saw favorable trends. However, many young people still face mental health challenges, with nearly 20% of adolescents surveyed having moderate or severe anxiety symptoms in the previous two weeks.
The survey found that more than half of people over 12 used an illicit drug, drank alcohol, used tobacco, or vaped nicotine in the previous month. Robyn Oster, policy director for the Partnership to End Addiction, noted that while the trends among young people are promising, there is still a lot of work to be done.
Original reporting: 40/29 / KHBS (NW Arkansas) — read the source article.
