A new Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) analyses shine additional light on the mental health of U.S. high school students during the COVID-19 pandemic, including a disproportionate level of threats that some students experienced.
37%
of high school students reported they experienced poor mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic.
44%
reported they persistently felt sad or hopeless during the past year.
55%
reported they experienced emotional abuse by a parent or other adult in the home, including swearing at, insulting, or putting down the student.
11%
experienced physical abuse by a parent or other adult in the home, including hitting, beating, kicking, or physically hurting the student.
29%
reported a parent or other adult in their home lost a job.
36%
of students said they experienced racism before or during the COVID-19 pandemic.
35% vs. 53%
youth who felt connected to adults and peers at school were significantly less likely than those who did not to report persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness; that they seriously considered attempting suicide (14% vs. 26%); or attempted suicide (6% vs. 12%).
47%
of youth reported feeling close to people at school during the pandemic.
