'Although we have seen worsening trends and mental health for young people over the last 10 years, the levels of poor mental health and suicidal thoughts and behaviors reported by teenage girls are now higher than we have ever seen.'
Teen girls are experiencing record-high levels of sadness, violence and suicidal behavior, and LGBTQ+ youth are facing increased distress and hopelessness, according to a new report from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Overall, 32% of all high school students surveyed experienced persistent sadness and hopelessness, and 10% attempted suicide in the last year, Dr. Kathleen Ethier, director of the CDC’s Division of Adolescent and School Health, told reporters at Monday's briefing. More than 14% of teen girls reported that they had been forced to have sex at least once, the report found."That number jumped from 11% to 14% from 2019 to 20121, in just two years. ... This is truly alarming," Ethier said."For every 10 teenage girls you know, at least one of them and probably more has been raped."
However, the findings highlight that two groups — teen girls and sexual and gender minorities — are the most vulnerable, says Dube.The report findings confirm ongoing trauma and poor mental health outcomes among LGBTQ+ teens, the experts say."Unfortunately, as we’ve been seeing for many years, LGBTQ+ students continue to be at high risk for experiencing violence and suicide," Ethier said.
Schools, which are on the front lines of the mental health crisis, must be equipped with tools to help students, the experts say.
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