The new CDC analysis released today sheds more light on the mental health of US high school students during the COVID-19 pandemic, including the disproportionate levels of threat experienced by some students.

In 2021, more than one-third (37%) of high school students reported that their mental health had declined during the COVID-19 pandemic, with 44% persistently over the past year, according to new data. He reported feeling sadness and despair. The new analysis also describes some of the serious challenges faced by young people during a pandemic.

• More than half (55%) report experiencing psychological abuse by parents and other adults at home, including taunting, insulting, and degrading students.
• 11% experienced physical abuse by parents and other adults at home, including beating, beating, kicking, and injuring students.
• More than a quarter (29%) reported that their parents or other adults at home were unemployed.

Prior to the pandemic, high school students had poor mental health, according to previous CDC data.pdf icon

“These data reflect calls for help,” said Debra Houry, MD and MPH, Deputy Director of the CDC. Our research shows that surrounding young people with the right support can reverse these trends and help young people now and in the future. “

Lesbian, gay, bisexual and young women report low levels of mental health. Psychological abuse by parents or caregivers; attempted suicide.

In addition, more than one-third (36%) of students said they experienced racism before or during the COVID-19 pandemic. The highest levels were reported among Asian students (64%) and black students and students of multiple races (both 55%). The investigation cannot determine how much the events during the pandemic contributed to the reported racism. However, the experience of racism among young people is associated with poor mental health, academic performance, and lifelong health risk behavior.

School ties provided significant protection to students during COVID-19

The findings also emphasize that the sense of being cared for, supported, and affiliated at school, called “school connections,” had a significant impact on students during times of serious turmoil. .. Significantly fewer adolescents felt connected to adults and peers at school than adolescents who did not report continued sadness or despair (35% vs. 53%). Serious consideration of their attempt to commit suicide (14% vs. 26%). Or attempted suicide (6% vs. 12%). However, less than half (47%) reported that they were familiar with the school people during the pandemic.

“School connections are always the key to dealing with youth adversity, especially during times of serious turmoil,” said Dr. Kathleen A. Essier, director of CDC’s adolescence and school health department. increase. “Students need our support more than ever by ensuring that schools are inclusive and safe, or by providing opportunities to receive guidance from adults who participate and support the community. is.”

We all have a role to play in helping young people recover from challenges during COVID-19.

Young people with poor mental health may struggle with school, grade, decision making, and their health. Mental health problems in adolescents are often associated with other health and behavioral risks, such as increased risk of substance use, violence, and high-risk sexual behavior.

Schools are an important partner in supporting the health and well-being of our students. In addition to education, they provide opportunities for academic, social, mental and physical health services that can help protect against negative consequences. However, during the pandemic, schools face unprecedented turmoil and cannot tackle these complex challenges alone.

“In the face of adversity, support from schools, families and communities protects adolescents from potentially catastrophic consequences,” said CDC leaders HIV / AIDS, viral hepatitis, STDs, and Jonathan Marmin, director of the National Center for TB Prevention, said. A center for monitoring and coping with school-based health. “These data show what works. So what do we need to help our schools and communities tolerate the challenges of COVID-19 after the pandemic? Is it? “

For more information

These data are MMWR monitoring supplementComes from the Adolescent Behavior and Experience Survey (ABES), the first national representative survey of the CDC for public and private high school students to assess the well-being of young people in the United States during the COVID-19 pandemic. The CDC was funded by the Coronavirus Support, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act and conducted a survey from January to June 2021.

CDC Youth and School Health Division on Student Mental Health: https://www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/mental-health/index.htm..

For more information on CDC’s National HIV / AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention Centers, visit: www.cdc.gov/nchhstp/newsroom

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