Teen Mental Health Slightly Improving in Dane County, Mental Health Challenges Still Pervasive

MADISON, Wis. (WMDX) – Dane County teens’ mental health is improving, but they still need added support. 

Every three years, the county conducts its Youth Assessment. School districts, the health department, the city of Madison, the county’s Youth Commission, and nonprofits partner to hear from students. The last one was given in 2021, closer to the height of the pandemic. 

The 2024 results show youth mental health is better now than it was then. Still, a staggering statistic: 90% of teens said they feel lonely because of the internet. 

43% of high school girls and 21% of high school boys reported feeling anxious often or all the time. This is the first time in 15 years that anxiety dropped among high school girls. 

Nearly 14% of teens reported having suicidal ideation. They were at much higher risk if someone had physically abused them. 47% of teen survivors of physical abuse experienced suicidal ideation. 

1 in 10 high schoolers reported skipping a meal because their family didn’t have enough to eat. 

A quarter of high schoolers reported drinking alcohol at some point over the last year. That signifies a general drop over the last 12 years. Back in 2012, that number was 43%. 

For the full report, click here.