Mental Health & Substance Use Trends For Adolescents & Young Adults Improve For Second Year

For the second consecutive year, fewer youth and young adults reported substance use, major depressive disorder, and suicidal thoughts and behaviors, according to a national survey. This includes behavioral health indicators for youth aged 12 to 17 years, and young adults aged 18 to 25 years.

The findings were reported in the 2025 National Survey on Drug Use & Health, a national survey of more than 60,000 civilian, noninstitutionalized people age 12 and older. Respondents were asked to report their past-year substance use, past-year mental illness, and past-year suicidal thoughts and behaviors. The reduction in incidence . . .