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.

• 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.
• 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.
• The latest data also reveals 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.
• 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.

More information on Maryland youth health experiences is available on the Department’s website and the Maryland Data and Analytics Tool (MDAT).