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'A cry for help': More than a third of high schoolers report poor mental health during COVID, CDC study finds

Being a teenager is hard enough without throwing a worldwide, deadly pandemic into the mix.

The impact COVID-19 has had on their well-being is undeniable, but health experts are still learning to what extent it has affected their mental health.

A study published Thursday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found more than a third of high school students reported in 2021 that their mental health suffered during the pandemic, with 44% saying they persistently felt sad or hopeless during the past year.

The CDC obtained data from the Adolescent Behaviors and Experiences Survey, the agency’s first nationally representative survey of public and private high school students to assess American youth from January 2021 to June.

The survey found more than half of high school students reported experiencing emotional abuse by a parent or other adult in the home, including being sworn at, put down or insulted; 11% said they experienced physical abuse.

Nearly 30% reported a parent or another adult in their home lost a job.

"I hate to see those numbers," said Dr. Ariana Hoet, clinical director of "On Our Sleeves," a program backed by experts with Nationwide Children's Hospital. "Adults are feeling stressed. There were financial stressors due to the pandemic, concerns about health and it was the emotions spilling over into the interactions of people living in the home."

CDC researchers found lesbian, gay, bisexual and female youths reported greater levels of poor mental health, emotional abuse, and attempted suicide more than their counterparts.

Additionally, more than a third of students said they experienced racism. The highest levels were reported among Asian students, with two-thirds reporting they experienced racism before or during the pandemic. Fifty-five percent of Black students or students of multiple races reported experiencing racism.

Racism in adolescence "can have a negative impact on their self identify and their feelings about themselves," Hoet said. "We know that children can go through this rejection of their home culture and race when experiencing a lot of racism at school, wishing that they weren’t a part of that family or home because of what they’re hearing."

Although the study revealed grave concerns caused by the pandemic, it also highlighted solutions. The findings found that a sense of being cared for, supported and belonging at school had a positive effect on students despite the disruptions.

Students who felt connected to adults and peers at school were significantly less likely to report feelings of sadness or hopelessness than their counterparts who did not, 35% compared to 53%. However, fewer than half of students reported feeling that connection.

“School connectedness is a key to addressing youth adversities at all times – especially during time of severe disruptions,” said Kathleen A. Ethier, director of the CDC’s division of adolescent and school health. “Students need our support now more than ever.”

Studies have shown students with poor mental health may struggle with school and decision-making, the CDC said, and have been associated with an increased risk of drug use, violence and risky sexual behaviors.

As teenagers’ lives continue to be disrupted by the pandemic, health experts say schools, families and communities must work together to provide youth opportunities for academic, social, mental and physical health services.

“These data tell us what works,” said Dr. Jonathan Mermin, director of the National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention at the CDC. “So, what will it take for our schools and communities to help youth withstand the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond?”

Follow Adrianna Rodriguez on Twitter: @AdriannaUSAT. 

Health and patient safety coverage at USA TODAY is made possible in part by a grant from the Masimo Foundation for Ethics, Innovation and Competition in Healthcare. The Masimo Foundation does not provide editorial input.

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