What should NH parents take away from the new youth mental health and substance use data?

For years, we’ve seen headlines about a youth mental health crisis. And many of us have witnessed it in our communities, schools, and homes with our own kids. There was the isolation that came with Covid-19. There’s the new reality of devices and social media, which can make it harder to understand our kids’ social lives or the content and topics they are exposed to online.

However, the latest youth mental health and substance use data published from New Hampshire’s 2025 Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) offers hope in terms of youth mental health and substance use trends. Some highlights include:

• Persistently sad and hopeless feelings dropped: Young people reported a 10% reduction from 44.2% in 2021 to 34.2% in 2025.
• Overall mental health improved: Young people reported an improvement from mental health rated as “not good” most or all of the time from 36% in 2021 to 26% in 2025.
• Fewer teens consider suicide: The percentage of students that repored they seriously considered suicide dropped from nearly 25% in 2021 to 15.9% in 2025. And more students report asking for help before attempting suicide from 39% in 2021 to 53.3% in 2025.
• Substance use dropped: Teens reported less use of alcohol, marijuana, vapes, and the misuse of prescription pain medications. However, use of e-cigarettes, marijuana, and alcohol each remain in the 15-20% range.
• Stronger community connection: More teens reported feeling they matter to people in their community–up 54.8% in 2023 to 60% in 2025.

The data is promising evidence of both our kids’ resilience and the value of our efforts at home, in schools, and in communities.

About the Youth Risk Behavior Survey

The Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) is a long-standing questionnaire of high school students, which is carried out every two years by the NH Department of Health and Human Services. The YRBS “assesses key health‑risk behaviors that contribute to the leading causes of death and disability among youth and young adults” (NH DHHS). It includes questions about young people’s experiences and behaviors around substance use, mental health, diet and physical activity, behaviors that lead to unintentional injury or violence, family support, and sexual behaviors. The survey does not collect names or personally identifying information. Learn more about it here.

How is YRBS data used?

The data collected in the YRBS is a critical source of information about where those of us who support young people in New Hampshire need to focus our efforts. Statewide initiatives like the school-based Student Assistance Program and community prevention coalitions can use state and local data to set priorities and understand what is–or isn’t–working to support our kids. The statewide program Getting to Y, highlighted in a recent interview with The Partnership @drugfreeNH, engages young people to dig into the data in their own schools and communities to build leadership and make meaningful change with their peers.

These targeted prevention efforts link young people to opportunities, mentoring, and resources that promote healthy decision-making. They’ve also worked to reduce stigma, so youth know how to ask for help and access healthy ways to cope with stress and anxiety.

More youth support needed

The 2025 YRBS data also shows that there is work to be done. Too many students across the state still report experiencing bullying, violence, or feeling unsafe traveling to school or while at school.

• Students who experienced physical dating violence has increased to 9.3%, and those who report sexual dating violence is over 10%, having increased since 2017.
• LGBTQ+ students and youth with disabilities report relatively poorer mental health outcomes.
• Youth who report currently vaping e-cigarettes or using marijuana are both still over 15%, and those who report ever having tried vaping is at 29%.
• Twenty per cent of students reported current alcohol use. Forty-six per cent of students who drank alcohol reported that they got it from someone giving it to them – up from 39% in 2023.
• Texting and driving was the highest in recent years, with half (50%) of the students that drive and who responded to the survey.

What can NH parents do with this information?

As parents, we are a huge influence on our kids’ attitudes and choices. We also have a great opportunity to provide support and help our kids find connection and community–protective factors against those risky behaviors.

• Use this as a conversation starter. Talk with your child about the YRBS data and ask how it compares to what they see. Look out for local YRBS data for your own community (yet to be released for 2025).
• Keep the conversation open about mental health, substances, relationships, and risky behaviors. Aim for “micro-conversations” rather than one big, serious talk. Stay curious about your child’s experiences, and try not to judge.
• If your child is using substances, let them know you are there to help. Know you are not alone. New Hampshire has many state and local resources to help.
• Get the support you need for yourself in order to be a safe and reliable support person for your child.

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