State News
Vermont teens report better wellbeing
Biennial Youth Risk Behavior Survey shows promising trends in youth mental health and substance use
As students get ready for the new school year, the latest survey of Vermont high school and middle schoolers is showing recent improvements in their mental health as well as declines in vaping, alcohol and marijuana use
About a quarter of Vermont high school students report recently experiencing poor mental health — a nearly 10% decrease from 2023, when a third of students reported mental health concerns like persistent feelings of anxiety or hopelessness. Students are also reporting self-harm and making suicide plans at rates lower than those reported in 2023
Teen substance use is on the decline too: 18% of students report using marijuana, 22% report drinking alcohol, and 6% report smoking cigarettes — a marked decline across these categories compared to a decade ago. Vaping has also declined from a peak of 29% of students saying they vaped in 2019 to just 14% in 2025, with most students saying it would be wrong for someone their age to vape
“It’s encouraging to see real progress in the health and wellbeing of Vermont’s young people,” said Health Commissioner Rick Hildebrant, MD. “This survey helps us understand where we are making a difference in mental health and substance use, where young people continue to struggle, and where we need to do more.”
The Youth Risk Behavior Survey is given in partnership by the Health Department and Agency of Education and is coordinated at the national level by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The biennial survey asks Vermont high school and middle school students questions on a wide range of topics including nutrition, drugs and alcohol, sexual health, physical activity, club and sport involvement and post-graduation plans
Officials say the data collected can help schools and community organizations focus prevention efforts and determine whether school policies and community programs are having the intended impact on students
Areas of concern remain in the new data: while overall rates of suicidal ideation are down, some groups are statistically more likely to report making a suicide plan including students who are female, LGBTQ+, Black, Indigenous or people of color (BIPOC) and students who have an Individualized Education Program (IEP). New this year, students were also asked about their access to a loaded gun. Nearly four in 10 students said they could get a loaded gun easily without permission or supervision
More 2025 Youth Risk Behavior Survey Data Highlights:
53% of high school students feel that they matter to their community
77% of high school students check social media several times a day
25% of high school students are sexually active. Of those, less than half report using condoms, but birth control options like the pill and IUD are on the rise
40% of high school students report trying to lose weight
Health experts encourage parents and guardians to talk with students about drug and alcohol use and mental health.
Advice on starting these conversations can be found at ParentUpVT.org
The national 988 Lifeline is availableg with mental health challenges, including
Read the full 2025 Youth Risk Behavior Survey. For complete YRBS reports and highlight summaries, visit: HealthVermont.gov/yrbs.
Do you want to submit feedback to the editor?
Send Us An Email!
