It’s hard to be a teen these days, especially in a digital world that doesn’t seem to be slowing down any time soon. The pressures of social media, keeping up with good grades, plus general stress and anxiety all contribute to a set of challenges for today’s youth.

New CDC data, comparing the results of a 2023 Youth Risk Behavior Survey with those from two years earlier, reveal a mixed picture of mental health trends among U.S. teens. On a positive note, the findings show there have been slight decreases in the percentage of students feeling persistently sad or hopeless, with notable improvements among female and Hispanic students. For instance, the percentage of female students experiencing persistent sadness dropped from 57% to 53%, and similar declines were seen in suicidal thoughts and behaviors among Hispanic students...