July 31, 2026
2024-2025 survey data show positive trends in adolescent health and well-being
Statewide interventions prove effective in reducing tobacco and cannabis use; improved mental health resilience with ongoing, expanded, and new programs planned
Baltimore, MD – The most recent data from the Maryland Department of Health’s Maryland Youth Risk Behavior Survey and Youth Tobacco Survey (YRBS/YTS) offer a snapshot of the changing health situation among middle- and high-school students across the state. The 2024-2025 findings highlight the success of state-led health initiatives, shown by decreased student substance use and fewer reports of persistent sadness. The survey results also emphasize the need to strengthen support systems for youth affected by violence and bullying, as well as to expand digital wellness programs.
“The 2024-2025 YRBS/YTS data illustrate that Maryland’s focus on mental health awareness, substance use prevention, and addressing adverse childhood experiences is making an impact, but more work is needed,” said Maryland Health Secretary Dr. Meena Seshamani. “Viewing the data as a narrative of progress and a roadmap for future action, the state remains dedicated to providing the health services our youth need to thrive in an increasingly complex world.”
High school e-cigarette use dropped by nearly 45% since 2018. Still, students reported a slight uptick in smokeless tobacco use in middle and high school. These trends validate the effectiveness of targeted education initiatives such as the Vape Experiment and the Maryland Responsible Tobacco Retailer Program 21 or None campaign, but also highlight the need for sustained, agile prevention efforts to confront emerging risk behaviors, such as nicotine pouch use.
According to the data, fewer students in Maryland middle and high schools reported using cannabis. Still, the data also reveals an opportunity for ongoing education, as a notable segment of the youth population remains unaware of the risks cannabis poses to their health. Resources like the Be Cannabis Smart campaign and the Talking to Teens About Cannabis Use guide are essential tools in empowering families to lead informed conversations to reinforce these positive health trends. The Department is currently collaborating with the Maryland Cannabis Administration to launch a teen-focused youth prevention campaign this fall.
The latest data also reveal a positive trend in student mental health resilience following the disruptions of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the percentages of Maryland students experiencing persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness remain high, with 31.7% in high schools and 31.9% in middle schools. While the decrease from 39.2% and 36.8% reported in 2021-2022 is encouraging, it underscores that there is still significant work to be done to reach youth through targeted education and prevention initiatives and to help ensure that more students can access the services needed to move toward recovery and improved mental health.
As a new measure in the 2024–2025 survey, students were asked about social media use. According to the 2023 U.S. Surgeon General's Advisory on Social Media and Youth Mental Health, children and adolescents who spend more than three hours a day on social media face double the risk of mental health problems, including symptoms of anxiety and depression. The majority of Maryland middle- and high-school students reported engaging with social media multiple times a day. Maryland's Youth Digital Wellness Initiative addresses the urgency to support children and young people's mental health by providing youth with the practical skills to navigate their digital lives positively while supporting families and educators in fostering digital well-being.
The rise in reported bullying and dating violence, particularly among LGBTQ+ youth, highlights a profound need for targeted intervention. In addition to current prevention programs, Maryland’s Behavior Intervention Series is a vital component of a broader narrative focused on building school communities where every student feels safe, respected, and supported.
State agencies, schools, local health departments, researchers, and community organizations report using the annual YRBS/YTS data to monitor youth risk behaviors and identify issues affecting the health of Maryland youth. The Department and its partners use the data to inform policy, programs and resource allocation.
These data findings provide an opportunity to build on existing partnerships, resources, and evidence-based programming to support the health, safety, and well-being of Maryland youth across schools and communities. Expanding awareness of and access to available resources and programming for students, parents, educators, and communities will help strengthen prevention efforts and connect youth to the services they need.
More information on Maryland youth health experiences is available on the Department's website and the Maryland Data and Analytics Tool (MDAT).
Resources for Students and Families:
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