Howard County Youth Data Shows Promising Progress Amid Growing Mental Health Challenges

The Howard County Health Department (HCHD) is sharing newly released trend findings from the Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS), which tracks key health and behavioral indicators among middle and high school students. The data reflect changes from 2013 through 2024, with additional questions that were added later. These findings will help guide future countywide prevention, mental health, and substance use initiatives to benefit Howard County youth.

This most recent YRBS trend report reflecting the 2024-2025 school year, presents a wide‑view look at more than a decade of youth behavioral health indicators in Howard County, highlighting both areas of steady improvement and those requiring continued attention. The data show consistent declines in alcohol, marijuana, tobacco, and electronic smoking device use among both middle and high school students, reflecting long‑term success in substance‑use prevention and education efforts. Measures related to youth mental health, particularly feelings of sadness or hopelessness and suicide‑related behaviors, demonstrate more complex patterns with increases in certain groups and reductions in others.

“Taken together, these trends show a clear picture of both progress and ongoing challenges for our youth. We are encouraged by the significant declines in alcohol, tobacco, marijuana, and ESD use, as well as the substantial reduction in high school suicide attempts—these improvements reflect the impact of consistent community education, prevention programs, and partnerships across Howard County” said Antigone Vickery, Deputy Health Officer. “At the same time, the rise in reported sadness and hopelessness, especially among some middle school groups, reminds us that our work is far from finished. Strengthening mental health supports, expanding early intervention, and continuing open conversations will be essential as we work to ensure every young person feels supported, connected, and valued.”

"Our county’s young people are at the heart of our work to build a healthier, safer, and more resilient community. From the launch of our Youth Engagement Programming to expanding our Summer Youth Employment Program, teen focused programming and events, the adoption of school-based mental health care at all Howard County public schools, and breaking ground on The Source community center, my team has remained focused on meeting the needs of our younger population since taking office in December 2018," said Howard County Executive Calvin Ball. "As we continue to move forward and plan for the future, this Youth Risk Behavior Survey gives us an important opportunity to step back and look at more than a decade of trends, recognize where we are seeing meaningful progress, and identify where our youth need continued support. While we are encouraged by the sustained declines in alcohol, marijuana, tobacco, and electronic smoking device use among our middle and high school students, the findings related to mental health and suicide-related behaviors remind us that there is more work to do."

Below is a summary of findings from the report.

Middle School Students
Mental health indicators show a rise in the percentage of students reporting sadness or hopelessness, increasing from 19.4 percent to 29.0 percent between 2013 and 2024. Multiple demographic groups reflect this increase. Some improvements were seen among White students between 2022 and 2024. Suicidal thoughts and behaviors show mixed patterns, with increases in considering suicide among Black students and female students and decreases in suicide planning and attempts among multiracial students.

Alcohol use among middle school students has declined overall from 6.0 percent to 3.7 percent since 2013, with decreases across most demographic groups. A recent increase was noted among male students between 2022 and 2024. Marijuana, tobacco, and electronic smoking device (ESD) use have all decreased across most groups, with overall declines in each category.

High School Students
The proportion of high school students reporting sadness or hopelessness increased from 23.3 percent to 28.3 percent from 2013 to 2024. Several demographic groups showed increases, while female students experienced a recent decrease between 2022 and 2024. Suicidal considerations and planning decreased for Hispanic students, and suicide attempts dropped significantly overall, from 16.1 percent to 5.6 percent between 2021 and 2024.

Alcohol use among high school students decreased substantially from 30.1 percent to 12.7 percent since 2013. Marijuana, tobacco, and ESD use also declined across all reported demographic groups, showing consistent reductions over the past decade.

Key Concerns

Rising reports of sadness or hopelessness among both middle and high school students.
Increases in suicide consideration and attempts among specific middle school groups, particularly Black students and female students.
A recent uptick in alcohol use among middle school males.

To address mental health concerns, HCHD has a comprehensive, evidence‑based Suicide Prevention Program addressing prevention, intervention, and postvention needs across the community. Resources including the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, the Crisis Text Line, and specialized supports for youth and others are broadly promoted. Initiatives like the Gun Lock Giveaway Program provide free firearm safety locks at all Howard County Library branches and the Health Department, allowing firearms to be safely stored to help prevent accidents or unauthorized use.

The countywide “It’s OK to Ask” campaign, aimed at reducing stigma and encouraging open conversations about mental health, continues to expand. Launched originally as a youth-focused suicide prevention initiative, the campaign now reaches residents of all ages and cultures. It promotes help‑seeking behaviors and includes culturally responsive resources that are found on the Department’s Suicide Prevention webpage.

The Department is currently developing new tools to provide information to youth and their parents and to incorporate the perspective of youth in its efforts. The Teen Health Matters website is being revised with input from students, and a Youth Advisory Council is being developed to ensure programs reflect the needs of youth in the County today. These initiatives are expected to launch later this fall.

Notable Improvements

Significant declines in alcohol use across both middle and high school students overall.
Reductions in marijuana, tobacco, and ESD use across most demographic groups.
A major decrease in high school suicide attempts in recent years.
Decreases in suicide planning and consideration among Hispanic high school students.
Recent reductions in reported sadness or hopelessness among middle school White students and high school female students.

The Health Department will continue its work to strengthen the health and well‑being of youth and will continue collaboration with schools, families, and community partners to build on the progress highlighted in this report.

The full 2024-2025 Maryland Youth Risk Behavior Survey/Youth Tobacco Survey is available from the Maryland Department of Health. More information about the ongoing initiatives to improve youth mental health and reduce youth substance misuse can be found on the Howard County Health Department website.

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