Profiles Results

Results show differences in school health education and services, promising indicators on student connectedness, and varying implementation of CDC’s evidence-based What Works In Schools strategies and activities. While many schools provided health programs and supports for adolescents, many youth are not receiving the health education and services they need for healthy development.

These disparities contribute to adverse outcomes, perpetuating health-based inequity among students.

• 9 in 10 schools worked to increase student knowledge about emotional and mental health. Yet fewer than 7 in 10 lead health education teachers have received professional development training in emotional and mental health.
• 3 in 4 schools encouraged students to respect others’ sexual and gender identities, fewer than half of all schools have a gay/straight alliance.

Profiles looks at teen mental health trends by providing indicators for school connectedness. Studies show that students who feel more connected to others at school have better mental health and fewer suicide risk behaviors.

• 4 in 5 schools in 2020 encouraged staff to attend professional development on safe and supportive school environments.
• Half of all schools connected students to service-learning programs, including family or community-based mentoring programs.
• Fewer than 3 in 5 educators received training on teaching students from various backgrounds in the past year, and many did not express interest in seeking training.