According to a 2021 survey, nearly 1 in 5 youths aged 3–17 years had been diagnosed with a mental health condition in their lifetime.
Among adolescents ages 12-17, about 20.3%, or 5.3 million, had a current, diagnosed mental or behavioral health condition.
Of the adolescents experiencing mental health symptoms, 1 in 5 have considered suicide in the past year (NIMH, 2025).
Types of Mental Disorders Diagnosed in Youth
Anxiety Disorders: Excessive fear, worry, or nervousness that is difficult to control and interferes with everyday life (avoiding certain situations, persistent worry about school, safety, academic performance, somatic symptoms, racing thoughts, and irritability).
Depressive Disorders: Persistent low mood, loss of interest or pleasure, with other symptoms, lasting 2 or more weeks, affecting daily functioning (sadness, lost of interest in hobbies, difficulty concentrating, slow speech and movements, fatigue, thoughts about death or suicide).
Pediatric Bipolar Disorder: Characterized by episodes of both depression and mania or hypomania. Moods swing from very low to very high or irritable states.
Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD)/Conduct Disorders: Involves patterns of uncooperative, defiant, aggressive, or antisocial behavior (Arguing with authority figures, manipulative behavior, lying or theft, aggression toward people or animals, violating rules, damaging property).
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD): Unwanted or intrusive thoughts known as obsessions or repetitive behaviors or compulsions (excessive cleaning, counting, rituals, becoming distressed when these repetitive behaviors or thoughts are disrupted).
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: After exposure to a traumatic event(s), symptoms involving re-experiencing, avoidance, and heightened reactivity cause disruption in daily living (Disassociation, nightmares, hyper-vigilance, and irritability) (NIMH, 2025).
Substance Use
The most common substances used among teens are nicotine, marijuana, and alcohol.
In a survey conducted by the National Health Institute, 45.7% of 12th graders reported drinking alcohol, 23.3% reported vaping, and 29% reported using cannabis in the past year.
Although substance use among teens is down overall, 8.5% of adolescents 12-17 years old meet the criteria for substance use disorder (SAMSHA, 2023).
Health Risks
Scroll through the interactive gallery below to learn more about the different health risks associated with youth substance use.
Damage to brain development, especially in the pre-frontal cortex areas involved in decision-making, impulse control, learning, memory (CDC, 2023). 
Poor school performance, truancy, increased dropout rates. 
Co-occurrence and exacerbation of existing mental health conditions, and increased risk of suicidal thoughts. 
Social isolation, conflicts with family or peers, engagement in risky behaviors. 
Increased long-term risk of addiction the earlier an adolescent uses drugs or alcohol; also more likely to use more potent illicit drugs later in life (SAMSHA, 2023).
Social Work Roles and Resources 