Data Definition and Methodology: This measure shows the percentage of high school students feeling so sad or hopeless that they could not engage in their regular activities for at least two weeks during the previous year.

Data for this measure comes from the Maryland Youth Risk Behavior Survey and Youth Tobacco Survey (YRBS/YTS). The Maryland YRBS/YTS is an on-site survey of students in Maryland public middle and high schools, focusing on behaviors that contribute to the leading causes of death and disability, including but not limited to, alcohol and other drug use, tobacco use, sexual behaviors, unintentional injuries and violence, and poor physical activity and dietary behaviors.

The YRBS/YTS is a combination of CDC's Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) and Youth Tobacco Survey (YTS) and is administered every even year during the fall semester to measure and monitor youth risk behaviors.

Public Health Significance: Poor mental health in adolescence is more than feeling blue. It can impact many areas of a teen’s life. Youth with poor mental health may struggle with school and grades, decision making, and their health. Mental health problems in youth often go hand-in-hand with other health and behavioral risks like increased risk of drug use, experiencing violence, and higher risk sexual behaviors that can lead to HIV, STDs, and unintended pregnancy.

Additional Resources:

• CDC Youth Mental Health