Fifty-seven percent of high school girls experienced anxiety symptoms daily in a recent study. Persistent sadness affected 42 percent of all high school students in the same period.
Key Takeaways
- 57% of high school girls experienced anxiety symptoms daily in a 2022 study
- 36% of high school students reported anxiety making school work difficult in 2021 YRBS
- Female high school students were twice as likely (32%) to have an anxiety disorder diagnosis than males (16%) per 2021 data
- 37% of high school students were diagnosed with anxiety by age 17 per 2022 data
- Major depressive episodes affected 20.1% of high school age youth in 2021 NSDUH
- 29% of high school girls had a major depressive episode in past year 2021
- 35% of high school students spend 3+ hours on social media daily, correlating with 2x depression risk
- Cyberbullying affected 15% of high school students, linked to 3x suicide risk
- Academic pressure caused stress in 83% of high school students per APA 2023
- Only 19% of high school students received mental health counseling in 2021
- 40% of high school students with mental health needs got no services
- School counselors available to only 1 in 250 high school students ratio 2022
- In 2021, 42% of high school students felt persistently sad or hopeless, with females at 57% compared to 29% for males
- 22% of high school students seriously considered attempting suicide in the 12 months before the 2021 survey
- 10% of high school students actually attempted suicide one or more times during the 12 months before the 2021 survey
Anxiety and depression are rising among high school students, especially girls and LGBTQ+ teens, with limited access to care.
Related reading
01 · Category
Anxiety Disorders26 stats
01
57% of high school girls experienced anxiety symptoms daily in a 2022 study
02
36% of high school students reported anxiety making school work difficult in 2021 YRBS
03
Female high school students were twice as likely (32%) to have an anxiety disorder diagnosis than males (16%) per 2021 data
04
44% of high school students felt anxious most or all of the time during COVID per APA 2021
05
Hispanic high school girls reported 50% anxiety prevalence in 2021 YRBS
06
25% of high school students experienced panic attacks in the past year per 2020 survey
07
Anxiety symptoms among high schoolers increased 25% from 2019 to 2021
08
41% of LGBQ+ high school students reported high anxiety levels in 2021
09
29% of high school boys reported frequent anxiety impacting daily life in 2022
10
52% of high school females had clinically significant anxiety per 2019 NSCH data
11
Social anxiety affected 18% of high school students, with girls at 22% in 2021
12
35% of high school students avoided school due to anxiety symptoms in past month 2021
13
GAD prevalence among high school age: 6.6% for females vs 4.4% males per NIMH
14
48% of high school girls reported overwhelming anxiety in past 2 weeks per 2023 CDC
15
Test anxiety impacted 40% of high school students, leading to lower performance
16
31% of urban high school students reported severe anxiety in 2021 YRBS
17
Separation anxiety persisted in 12% of high schoolers per 2020 study
18
27% increase in anxiety disorders among high school students 2016-2020
19
55% of high school students with anxiety also had comorbid depression in 2021
20
Performance anxiety affected 38% during virtual learning in 2020-2021
21
46% of Asian high school students reported anxiety symptoms in 2021
22
20% of high school males had undiagnosed anxiety per parent reports 2021
23
Health anxiety rose 15% post-COVID among high schoolers in 2022
24
39% of 10th graders reported high anxiety levels in 2022 survey
25
50% of high school girls experienced anxiety from academic pressure
26
33% of high school students reported anxiety interfering with sleep nightly
Interpretation
Anxiety Disorders Interpretation
These statistics reveal a generation-wide alarm system is blaring, yet too often we're handing out earplugs labeled "just teenage angst" instead of actual support.
02 · Category
Depression and Mood Disorders27 stats
01
37% of high school students were diagnosed with anxiety by age 17 per 2022 data
02
Major depressive episodes affected 20.1% of high school age youth in 2021 NSDUH
03
29% of high school girls had a major depressive episode in past year 2021
04
Depression symptoms reported by 44% of high school students in 2021 YRBS
05
High school students with depression were 3x more likely to miss school frequently
06
16% of high school boys experienced major depression in past year per NSDUH 2021
07
Persistent depressive disorder in 5.3% of high school aged females vs 2.8% males
08
50% of depressed high school students had suicidal thoughts in 2021
09
Depression rates doubled among high school teens from 2009 to 2019
10
62% of high school females with depression reported academic decline
11
Black high school students had 18% depression prevalence in 2021 YRBS
12
35% of high school students reported depressive symptoms impacting concentration
13
Dysthymia affected 1.5% of high schoolers with higher rates in females
14
41% of LGBQ+ high school students experienced depression symptoms
15
Hopelessness correlated with depression in 55% of high school girls 2021
16
25% increase in depression diagnoses among high schoolers 2017-2022
17
48% of high school students with 4+ ACEs had depressive disorders
18
Seasonal affective disorder impacted 10% of high school students in northern states
19
30% of high school males with depression went untreated per 2021 data
20
Bipolar disorder symptoms in 2-3% of high school students per NIMH
21
52% of depressed high schoolers had sleep disturbances daily
22
High school depression linked to 2x obesity risk in 2022 study
23
39% of 11th graders reported moderate-severe depression symptoms
24
Postpartum-like depression in 8% of high school mothers under 18
25
45% of high school students with depression reported family conflict
26
Treatment-resistant depression in 30% of diagnosed high schoolers
27
28% of high school students showed anhedonia as depression symptom
Interpretation
Depression and Mood Disorders Interpretation
The bell rings not just for class but for a silent, compounding crisis, where staggering rates of anxiety and depression have become the grim curriculum for a generation, crippling academics, amplifying risk, and screaming for a systemic response that matches the scale of the suffering.
03 · Category
Factors and Impacts25 stats
01
35% of high school students spend 3+ hours on social media daily, correlating with 2x depression risk
02
Cyberbullying affected 15% of high school students, linked to 3x suicide risk
03
Academic pressure caused stress in 83% of high school students per APA 2023
04
46% of high school girls felt worse about body image due to social media
05
Sleep deprivation (<8 hours) in 73% of high schoolers linked to anxiety
06
59% of high school students reported family stress impacting mental health
07
Vaping nicotine use 20% among high schoolers, associated with depression
08
70% of high school students experienced peer pressure affecting self-esteem
09
COVID isolation increased loneliness in 61% of high schoolers 2021
10
25% of high school mental health issues tied to economic family hardship
11
Sports participation reduced depression risk by 20% in high school boys
12
42% reported FOMO from social media leading to anxiety
13
55% of high school girls faced sexual harassment online affecting mood
14
Poor diet high in sugar linked to 15% higher depression in high schoolers
15
68% of high school students felt overwhelmed by school workload
16
Dating violence victims 2x depression rate in high school girls
17
30 hours/week extracurriculars increased burnout in 40% high schoolers
18
52% of high school students reported racism as mental health stressor
19
Screen time >7 hours/day tripled poor mental health odds
20
75% of high schoolers desired more physical activity for stress relief
21
Parental mental illness doubled risk for high school student depression
22
28% of high school marijuana users had co-occurring mental disorders
23
Cliques and social exclusion caused distress in 45% of high schoolers
24
60% reported pandemic learning loss worsening anxiety
25
37% of high school students had adverse childhood events impacting MH
Interpretation
Factors and Impacts Interpretation
A high schooler's mind is under a uniquely modern siege, where the relentless pressures of academics, social media, and societal strife have created a perfect storm, making adolescence feel less like a coming-of-age and more like a daily triathlon through a minefield of stress.
More related reading
04 · Category
Help-Seeking and Support30 stats
01
Only 19% of high school students received mental health counseling in 2021
02
40% of high school students with mental health needs got no services
03
School counselors available to only 1 in 250 high school students ratio 2022
04
55% of high school girls wanted but didn't access therapy in 2021
05
Telehealth mental health use rose 80% among high schoolers 2020-2022
06
Only 13% of high school students with depression received treatment
07
Stigma prevented 60% of high school boys from seeking help 2022
08
70% of high schoolers preferred peer support over professional help
09
Wait times for youth mental health services averaged 3 months in 2023
10
School-based MH programs reached 25% of high school students needing aid
11
45% of LGBQ+ high school students accessed counseling vs 15% heterosexual
12
Insurance coverage for MH services lacking for 12% high schoolers
13
Mindfulness apps used by 30% of high school students for self-help
14
22% of high school students told no trusted adult about mental health
15
Crisis text line used by 1 million high school age youth in 2022
16
Only 8% of high school suicide attempters got immediate follow-up care
17
Peer mentoring programs helped 35% of participating high schoolers
18
65% of high schoolers unaware of school MH resources availability
19
Medication prescribed to 9% of high school students for MH issues
20
Cultural barriers reduced help-seeking in 40% minority high schoolers
21
Hotlines reached 15% of distressed high school students annually
22
50% improvement in symptoms after 6 sessions of school therapy
23
Rural high school students 2x less likely to access MH services
24
28% of high school parents sought help for child's MH in past year
25
Online support groups joined by 20% of high school mental health strugglers
26
Teacher referrals led to treatment for 18% of high school cases
27
Cost barrier cited by 35% families for high school MH treatment
28
CBT effectiveness 70% for high school anxiety in school programs
29
55% of high school students felt school MH support insufficient 2023
30
Early intervention reduced chronic MH issues by 40% in high schoolers
Interpretation
Help-Seeking and Support Interpretation
While a surge in digital self-help and peer support shows students desperately building their own safety nets, these statistics reveal a system failing at nearly every turn, from crushing stigmas and logistical roadblocks to profound resource shortages, leaving the majority of young people to navigate a mental health crisis essentially alone.
05 · Category
Prevalence and General Mental Health30 stats
01
In 2021, 42% of high school students felt persistently sad or hopeless, with females at 57% compared to 29% for males
02
22% of high school students seriously considered attempting suicide in the 12 months before the 2021 survey
03
10% of high school students actually attempted suicide one or more times during the 12 months before the 2021 survey
04
37% of high school students experienced poor mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic in about half or more of the past 30 days in 2021
05
44% of high school students reported that their mental health was not good 1 or more days during the past 30 days in 2021 YRBS
06
Among high school students, 55% of females vs 30% of males reported persistent sadness or hopelessness in 2021
07
20% of high school students had 2 or more hours per day of symptoms of a mental health problem in 2021
08
Hispanic high school students reported 45% persistent sadness or hopelessness in 2021, higher than White students at 39%
09
29% of high school students missed school due to feeling unsafe or mental health issues in the past month in 2021
10
LGBQ+ high school students were 3 times more likely to experience persistent sadness (65%) than cisgender heterosexual students (32%) in 2021
11
51% of high school girls reported persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness in 2021 YRBS
12
Urban high school students had 41% reporting poor mental health in past 30 days vs 38% suburban in 2021
13
35% of 9th graders reported frequent mental distress in 2021, increasing to 45% by 12th grade
14
During 2011–2021, persistent sadness among high school students increased from 28% to 42%
15
18% of high school students reported frequent sleep problems linked to mental health in 2021
16
49% of high school students with two or more adverse childhood experiences reported poor mental health
17
In 2023, 1 in 3 high school students reported chronic sadness, per APA survey
18
57% of teen girls (high school age) felt persistent sadness in 2021
19
32% of high school boys experienced persistent sadness or hopelessness in 2021
20
AIAN high school students reported 50% persistent sadness, highest among races in 2021 YRBS
21
40% of high school students in large urban areas felt sad or hopeless persistently in 2021
22
From 2019 to 2021, mental health distress among high schoolers rose 10 percentage points
23
27% of high school students reported 4+ hours of electronic device use daily correlating with poor mental health
24
45% of high school females reported poor mental health in past 30 days vs 33% males in 2021
25
38% of White high school students felt persistent sadness in 2021
26
52% of LGB high school students reported poor mental health frequently in 2021
27
30% of high school students experienced mental health barriers to school attendance weekly
28
Persistent sadness increased 40% among high school students from 2009 to 2019 pre-pandemic
29
42% overall high school student mental distress rate in 2021 YRBS national survey
30
60% of high school students with disabilities reported higher mental health issues in 2021
Interpretation
Prevalence and General Mental Health Interpretation
The statistics paint a stark portrait of a generation in crisis, where the hallways of high schools have become echo chambers of silent despair, revealing that our children are not just learning algebra, they are carrying burdens that no backpack was ever meant to hold.
06 · Category
Suicide and Self-Harm30 stats
01
18% of high school students seriously considered suicide in past year 2021 YRBS
02
10% of high school students attempted suicide in past 12 months 2021
03
Female high school students had 14% suicide attempt rate vs 6% males in 2021
04
22% of high school students had a suicide plan in past year 2021 YRBS
05
LGBQ+ students 4x more likely to attempt suicide (20%) than heterosexual (5%) in 2021
06
Suicide ideation increased from 16% to 22% among high schoolers 2011-2021
07
16% of high school girls seriously considered suicide in 2021
08
Self-harm behaviors reported by 19% of high school students in past year 2021
09
Hispanic high school students had 11% suicide attempt rate in 2021
10
9% of high school boys attempted suicide, often with higher lethality
11
30% of high school students with persistent sadness considered suicide
12
Nonsuicidal self-injury prevalence 17% lifetime among high schoolers 2020
13
Suicide attempts rose 14% among high school females 2011-2021
14
45% of high school students who attempted suicide had prior mental health diagnosis
15
Cyberbullying victims 2x more likely to have suicide ideation (25%)
16
12% of AIAN high school students attempted suicide in 2021 YRBS
17
24% of high school students made a suicide plan but did not attempt in 2021
18
Self-harm hospitalizations for high school age increased 20% 2010-2020
19
31% of depressed high school girls engaged in self-harm behaviors
20
Suicide ideation highest in 10th grade at 23% in 2021
21
8% of high school students required medical treatment for self-harm attempt
22
Transgender high school students had 33% attempt rate vs 2% cisgender
23
15% increase in youth suicide rates including high schoolers 2019-2021
24
40% of high school self-harmers used cutting as method per 2022 study
25
Bullying victims 3x suicide attempt risk (15%) in high school
26
26% of high school students with anxiety had suicide plans
27
11% of high school males engaged in nonsuicidal self-injury
28
65% of high school suicide ideators had co-occurring substance use
29
22% of 12th graders considered suicide in 2022 MTF survey
30
14% of high school students reported poisoning overdose self-harm
Interpretation
Suicide and Self-Harm Interpretation
We are witnessing a generation in silent crisis, where nearly one in five students is battling suicidal thoughts, with the statistics painting a particularly harrowing picture for girls, LGBTQ+ youth, and those who are bullied, revealing that our schools have become emergency rooms for the mind.
Reference
Cite This Report
This report is designed to be cited. We maintain stable URLs and versioned verification dates. Copy the format appropriate for your publication below.
APA
Lars Eriksen. (2026, February 13). High School Student Mental Health Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/high-school-student-mental-health-statistics
MLA
Lars Eriksen. "High School Student Mental Health Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/high-school-student-mental-health-statistics.
Chicago
Lars Eriksen. 2026. "High School Student Mental Health Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/high-school-student-mental-health-statistics.
Sources & references
13 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level