New CDC data illuminate youth mental health threats during COVID-19 pandemic

March 31, 2022 – In 2021, more than a third (37%) of high school students reported they experienced poor mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic.

New CDC analyses published today shine additional light on the mental, physical, and emotional health of U.S. high school students during the COVID-19 pandemic, including a disproportionate level of threats that some students experienced.

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CDC data on youth mental health during COVID-19

The graphic includes two circles with text explaining that 37% of youth experienced poor mental health during COVID-19 and that 44% of youth experienced persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness during the past 12 months.


CDC Data Give More Insight Into Severe Challenges U.S. Youth Have Encountered During COVID-19

The graphic includes three donut graphs showing that 55% of youth reported experiencing emotional abuse by a parent or caregiver, 29% reported a parent or other adult in their home lost a job, and 11% reported experiencing physical abuse by a parent or caregiver.


Lesbian, gay, and bisexual youth experienced worse mental health threats during COVID-19

The graphic includes a bar graph showing that 76% of lesbian, gay and bisexual youth experienced persistent feelings of sadness and hopelessness in the 12 months prior to the survey, compared to 37% of heterosexual youth. The graphic also includes a bar graph showing that 74% of lesbian, gay and bisexual youth experienced emotional abuse by a parent or caregiver during COVID-19, compared to 50% of heterosexual youth.


Female youth experienced worse mental health threats during COVID-19

The graphic includes a bar graph showing that 57% of female youth experienced persistent feelings of sadness and hopelessness in the 12 months prior to the survey compared to 31% of male youth. The graphic also includes a bar graph showing that 63% of female youth experienced emotional abuse by a parent or caregiver during COVID-19, compared to 47% of male youth.


Over 1/3 of nation’s youth reported they experienced racism during their lifetime, with the highest levels among Asian and Black students.

The graphic shows that over one-third of youth in the U.S. reported they experienced racism at some point during their lifetime, with the highest levels among Asian and Black students.

Feeling Close to People at School Provides Critical Protection for Students During Severe Disruptions

This graphic shows that students who felt close to people at school were protected during times of severe disruption. Specifically, students who felt close to people at school were less likely to experience persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness during the COVID-19 pandemic, compared to those who did not feel close to people at school (35% vs. 53%). Similarly, students who felt close to people at school were less likely to seriously consider attempting suicide during the past year, compared to those who did not feel close to people at school (14% vs 26%).  Students who felt close to people at school were less likely to attempt suicide during the past year, compared to those who did not feel close to people at school (6% vs 12%).

Page last reviewed: March 31, 2022