# High school mental health improves post-pandemic, but girls lag

> CDC data shows high school students' mental health rising since pandemic lows, though teen girls report more sadness and suicidal thoughts than boys.
- Title: High school mental health improves post-pandemic, but girls…
- Summary: CDC data shows high school students' mental health rising since pandemic lows, though teen girls report more sadness and suicidal thoughts than boys. Teen…
- Keywords: cdc, high school, mental health, teens, suicide, girls, boys, youth health, pandemic, hopelessness, suicidality, youth health survey
- Source: PhillyVoice — https://phillyvoice.com/mental-health-suicide-teens-cdc
- Published: 2026-09-22T21:05:24.487+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: cdc, high school, mental health, teens, suicide, girls, boys, youth health, pandemic, hopelessness, suicidality, youth health survey
## Mental health trend
CDC survey shows high school students' mental health improving since pandemic lows, with 33% reporting persistent sadness or hopelessness in 2025.

> Those declines in depression and suicidal thoughts are very striking, particularly that they're lower than 2019.
## Girls report higher distress
In 2025, 43% of female high schoolers reported persistent sadness and hopelessness versus 24% of male students.
## Suicidal thoughts drop
18% of female students seriously considered suicide attempts in 2025, down from 22% in 2021, while male students reported 11%.
## Suicide attempts decline
Suicide attempts among high school students fell to 6% in 2025 from 10% in 2021, with fewer injuries requiring medical treatment.
## Gender gap persists
Female students are more likely to report suicidal thoughts and attempts than male students, with 18% versus 11% considering suicide in 2025.
## LGBTQ+ data missing
The CDC report excluded LGBTQ+ students due to Trump-era executive orders that only recognize two sexes.
## Long-term trend
The CDC's Youth Health in Focus survey, conducted every two years since 1991, shows mental health improvements continuing beyond pandemic years.
## Suicide plan rates drop
15% of female students made suicide plans in 2025, down from 18% in 2021, compared to 10% of male students.
## Mental health survey
The CDC surveys students in public and private schools to track mental health, substance use, and other health issues over time.
## Suicide attempt injuries
Only 1% of students required medical treatment for suicide attempt injuries in 2025, down from 3% in 2021.
## Key takeaway

Teen girls continue to experience higher rates of persistent sadness and hopelessness than boys, despite overall improvements in high school mental health.