A new study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) finds that levels of sadness are improving among some American teens, and especially girls. Teen mental health There has been improvement in the years following the epidemic. The new data is drawn from the CDC’s Youth Risk Behavior Survey, which measures sexual behavior, substance use, violent experiences, and Mental Health among students in ninth through 12th grades. The survey measures these experiences across six demographics, including gender, sexual identity, race, ethnicity and grade, and began in 1990.

Speaking to the media, Heidi Chang, the executive director of Attendance Works, a nonprofit that works to reduce chronic absenteeism, said, “I was glad to see a little improvement.” She added, “I think schools have heard the message that they need to invest more in social-emotional support and a sense of belonging.”

“The data released today show improvements across multiple parameters that measure young people’s mental health — that’s progress we can build on,” Dr. Debra Houry, the CDC’s chief medical officer and deputy director for programs and science, said in a release.

The report includes data from 2023 and provides the first update to the survey since 2021. Hispanic students also reported a decrease in frequent feelings of sadness. Rates of poor mental health decreased, from 46% to 42% Health (from 30% to 26%), and a decrease in those who had seriously considered a suicide attempt (from 22% to 18%) and those who had made a suicide plan (from 19% to 16%). Black students were also significantly less likely to report a suicide attempt in this survey (from 14% to 10%).

Overall, the total number of students reporting a persistent feeling of sadness has dropped from 42% to 40%. The number of female students feeling this way has also dropped from 57% to 53%.

However, despite this improvement, other challenges remain. The report highlights disparities in youth mental health experienced by girls and LGBTQ+ students. LGBTQ+ youth also face similar disparities as three in five report experiencing a persistent sense of sadness or hopelessness.

This development comes at a time when health disorders are on the rise among children and adolescents. According to studies, at least one in every 5 children experiences stress, anxiety and depression, but it is rarely identified or diagnosed. Experts believe that all children feel sad or hopeless sometimes, which is a natural part of growing up. But it can be worrying when it is felt intensely for a long time, especially if it affects your child’s social, family and school life.

It is important to talk to kids about mental health because if you don’t, they will get their information from someone else or somewhere else. That source may not be reliable or accurate. There is a lot of stigma associated with teen mental health and parents or family members can always break them down.

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