A recent statewide health survey has indicated significant improvements in mental health among Colorado’s youth, offering a positive contrast to the heightened anxiety and depression observed during the pandemic.
The Healthy Kids Colorado survey, conducted annually, revealed notable declines in persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness among both middle and high school students compared to previous years. Specifically, in 2023, 26% of high school students reported such feelings, down from 40% in 2021 and 35% in 2019. Furthermore, the percentage of high school students seriously considering suicide dropped to 11% in 2023 from 17% in 2021.
Leaders at the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, including Executive Director Jill Hunsaker Ryan, expressed satisfaction with these findings, attributing them to increased investments in prevention programs and support services. Ryan highlighted that community and state initiatives seem to be yielding positive outcomes in addressing mental health challenges among young people.
In addition to mental health improvements, the survey also noted reductions in risky behaviors among high school students. Instances of vaping, alcohol use, and misuse of prescription pain medication showed decreases compared to previous years, though marijuana use remained stable.
However, concerning trends were observed among middle school students, with an increase in alcohol consumption reported in 2023 compared to 2021. More students in this age group also experimented with cigarettes.
Despite these challenges, efforts to enhance youth mental health support are expanding. Recently announced programs aim to train young adults to connect peers with mental health resources, while a new grant initiative funded by a lawsuit settlement with Juul Labs Inc. seeks to further bolster mental health services for youth.
The Healthy Kids survey, which has been conducted since 1991, remains a valuable tool for gathering insights into the well-being of young people in Colorado, covering areas such as physical, sexual, and mental health. With more than 120,000 students participating in 2023, it continues to provide crucial data for shaping public health strategies.
Public health officials emphasize the voluntary nature of the survey and its importance in understanding the challenges faced by adolescents and teens in the state.
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