Teen girls report record levels of violence, sadness and suicide risk, CDC survey finds

Adrianna Rodriguez, USA TODAY
·2 min read
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interior of a traditional school classroom with wooden floor and furniture. 3d render

Teen girls are experiencing record levels of violence, sadness and suicide risk in the United States, according to a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report released Monday.

Data showed 57% of high school girls felt persistently sad or hopeless in 2021 – a nearly 60% increase and the highest level reported over the past decade. In comparison, 29% of boys the same age reported the same feelings.

“High school should be a time for trailblazing, not trauma,” said Dr. Debra Houry, the agency’s chief medical officer and deputy director for program and science. “These data show our kids need far more support to cope, hope and thrive.”

'Very concerning': Suicide rates increase after two years of decline

The CDC's Youth Risk Behavior Survey also found:

  • 30% of girls seriously considered attempting suicide – a nearly 60% increase from a decade ago.

  • 18% experienced sexual violence in the past year – a 20% increase since 2017.

  • 14% had been forced to have sex – a 27% increase since 2019.

Majority of LGBQ+ students surveyed reported sadness, hopelessness

The new report also underscored emotional distress among teens who identified as LGBQ+, finding:

  • Nearly 70% of LGBQ+ students experienced persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness.

  • 52% had recently experienced poor mental health.

  • 45% had seriously considered attempting suicide in the past year, and 22% had attempted suicide in the past year.

  • Nearly one-quarter were bullied at school, and about 30% were bullied online in 2021.

The survey did not have a question assessing gender identity, so data does not reflect students who identify as transgender or nonbinary. But health officials said the question will be included in the 2023 survey.

A look at racial and ethnic disparities

Racial and ethnic disparities were also prevalent:

  • Black and Hispanic students were more likely than Asian, white and multiracial students to miss school because of safety concerns.

  • Hispanic and multiracial students were more likely than Asian, Black and white students to have persistent feelings of sadness of hopelessness.

  • Black students were more likely than Asian, Hispanic and white students to attempt suicide.

'Act with urgency'

The report comes after recently released data showed overall suicide rates rise for the first time after a two-year decline, particularly among Black children and youth who saw the highest increase.

Health officials highlight the urgent need for investment in school programs, as the survey also found 61% of high school students felt a sense of school connectedness.

“Young people are experiencing a level of distress that calls on jus to act with urgency and compassion,” said Kathleen Ethier, director of adolescent and school health at the CDC. “With the right programs and services in place, schools have the unique ability to help our youth flourish.”

Dig deeper

'No safe spaces': California shootings add to growing mental health crisis

Can we recover?: Half of students fell behind a year after COVID school closures

Follow Adrianna Rodriguez on Twitter: @AdriannaUSAT.

Health and patient safety coverage at USA TODAY is made possible in part by a grant from the Masimo Foundation for Ethics, Innovation and Competition in Healthcare. The Masimo Foundation does not provide editorial input.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: CDC survey: Teen girls report record levels of violence, suicide risk