Vermont Reports Improvements in Youth Mental Health and Lower Substance Use

New information released by the Vermont Department of Health shows encouraging improvements in youth mental health and reductions in substance use among high school and middle school students.

The findings come from the 2025 Vermont Youth Risk Behavior Survey, which asks students about mental health, nutrition, physical activity, alcohol, drugs, sexual health, school activities and their plans after graduation.

According to the state, approximately one quarter of Vermont high school students said they had recently experienced poor mental health. This represents a reduction of nearly 10 percent from 2023, when approximately one third of students reported persistent anxiety, hopelessness or other mental health concerns.

Students also reported lower rates of harming themselves and making suicide plans compared with the results from 2023. Vermont Health Commissioner Dr. Rick Hildebrant described the progress as encouraging, while emphasizing that the survey also identifies areas where young people continue to need assistance.

Alcohol, Marijuana and Vaping Decline

The survey found reductions in several forms of substance use among Vermont teenagers. Approximately 18 percent of students reported using marijuana, while 22 percent reported drinking alcohol. Six percent said they smoked cigarettes.

State health officials said these figures represent significant decreases compared with the rates reported ten years ago. Vaping has also declined considerably: in 2019, approximately 29 percent of students reported vaping, compared with 14 percent in 2025. Most students participating in the survey said they believed it would be wrong for someone their age to vape.

The Vermont Department of Health said information collected through the survey can help schools and community organizations determine whether prevention programs and school policies are producing the intended results.

Serious Concerns Remain

Despite the overall improvements, the survey identified several areas that continue to concern state health officials. Although suicidal thoughts decreased among students overall, certain groups were more likely to report making a suicide plan. These groups included female students, LGBTQ+ students, Black, Indigenous and other students of color, as well as students with an Individualized Education Program.

The survey also included a new question about access to loaded firearms. Nearly four out of every ten students said they could easily obtain a loaded gun without permission or adult supervision. The finding is particularly significant because access to a firearm can increase the danger during a mental health crisis. It also raises questions about how firearms are stored in homes and whether students can reach them without an adult’s knowledge.

Social Media and Community Connection

The survey found that 77 percent of Vermont high school students check social media several times each day. At the same time, only 53 percent said they felt that they mattered to their community.

Community connection can play an important role in the emotional wellbeing of young people. The survey gives schools, families and community organizations information they can use when developing programs intended to help students feel supported and included.

The survey also found that 40 percent of high school students were trying to lose weight. Twenty-five percent of students reported being sexually active. Among those students, fewer than half said they used condoms, although the use of other birth control methods, including birth control pills and intrauterine devices, has increased.

How Vermont Uses the Information

The Youth Risk Behavior Survey is conducted through a partnership between the Vermont Department of Health and the Vermont Agency of Education. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention coordinates the survey at the national level.

The survey is administered every two years. Officials use the results to identify changes in student behavior and to help schools and community programs decide where additional resources may be necessary.

State health experts encourage parents and guardians to speak openly with young people about mental health, vaping, alcohol and drug use. The results offer Vermont families reasons for optimism, but the number of students who can easily access a loaded firearm and the continuing suicide risk among vulnerable groups demonstrate that important challenges remain.

The progress is real, but the findings also show that schools, families, health professionals and community leaders must continue working together to protect Vermont’s young people.

Official source: Vermont Department of Health

Need help now? Anyone experiencing a mental health crisis can call or text 988. The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is available 24 hours a day.