More Bullying and Violence, Modest Declines in Depressive Behavior: 5 CDC Updates on Today’s Teenagers

While latest Youth Risk Behavior Survey results reveal glimmers of hope for youth mental health, bullying and violence have increased.

Depression and suicidal activity have decreased slightly for teens since 2021, but simultaneously there have been alarming increases in violence, bullying and school avoidance, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 

In 2023, two in ten teens were bullied at school and one in ten did not attend due to safety concerns, 4% increases since 2021. Two percent more were injured or threatened at school. About one in ten experienced sexual violence, roughly the same amount as two years ago, according to 20,000 high schoolers surveyed nationwide for the latest iteration of the CDC’s Youth Risk and Behavior survey.