Mental health and substance-use trends among American teenagers improved across several important measures, according to newly released federal data collected in 2025.
The 2025 National Survey on Drug Use and Health found that fewer adolescents ages 12 to 17 reported using tobacco, alcohol or marijuana. Binge drinking also declined, while fewer teenagers said they had begun drinking, vaping or using marijuana during the previous year.
The findings also pointed to progress in youth mental health. Rates of major depressive episodes fell among adolescents, along with the percentages reporting serious thoughts of suicide, making a suicide plan or attempting suicide. Young adults ages 18 to 25 experienced similar improvements.
The results do not mean the youth mental health crisis has ended. Nearly one in five adolescents reported moderate or severe anxiety symptoms during the two weeks before they were surveyed, almost three times the rate among adults.
Access to care also remains a serious challenge. Nearly 45 million Americans were estimated to have a substance-use disorder, while more than 80% of those who needed treatment did not receive it.
The newly released findings suggest that young people may be moving in a healthier direction after years of troubling trends, but millions of families are still struggling to find adequate mental health and addiction support.
