Mental Health Prevalence & Substance Use Decreased Among Adolescents & Young Adults From 2021 To 2025

The prevalence of several mental health conditions, suicidal thoughts and behaviors, and substance use measures decreased among adolescents and young adults between 2021 and 2025. Among adolescents ages 12 to 17, past-year major depressive episodes declined, along with substance use disorders and serious thoughts of suicide. Among young adults ages 18 to 25, major depressive episodes, serious mental illness, substance use disorders, and suicidal thoughts and behaviors also declined, according to the 2025 National Survey on Drug Use & Health (NSDUH).

Among adolescents ages 12 to 17, the prevalence of a past-year major depressive episode declined from 20 . . .