Young people in our community report noticeably lower rates of mental health concerns compared to prior years, according to the 2023-2024 Fairfax County Youth Survey. Overall, youth in Fairfax County report prevalence rates near historic lows for risky behaviors, including substance use and sexual activity. However, there remain some challenges.
In addition to shedding light on students’ behaviors and experiences, the survey (which has been in place for 23 years) identifies ways that parents, caregivers, educators and adults in the community can actively help youth succeed and avoid or reduce risky behaviors.
1. Mental Health Concerns Continue to Trend Downwards
One in four 8th, 10th and 12th grade students reported feeling so sad or hopeless that they stopped engaging in regular activity for two weeks or more (25 percent). The rates have been on a gradual rise since 2015, peaked in 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic at 38 percent, and fell to 29 percent in 2022. This year’s rate showed an improvement and was the lowest reported rate in the last 10 years. Among 6th grade students, nearly one-third reported feeling sadness or hopelessness (29 percent), a decrease from 33 percent in 2021 but did not change from 2022. The rate among 6th grade students was higher than that of 8th, 10th or 12th grade students.
One in 12 of the 8th, 10th and 12th grade students (9 percent) reported that they had seriously considered attempting suicide in the past year, while 3 percent of the students reported attempting suicide in 2023. The rates of considering and attempting suicide have declined by about half since 2021 when over 16 percent of the students reported suicidal ideations and 6 percent reported attempting suicide. These rates were also the lowest reported in the past 10 years.
2. Substance Use Reaches Historic Lows Among Fairfax County Youth
The reported rates of alcohol and substance use among Fairfax County youth were the lowest in the past 10 years for most substances, including alcohol, marijuana, synthetic marijuana, cigarettes, smokeless tobacco, vaping, non-medical use of painkillers, non-medical use of other prescription drugs, non-medical over the counter drugs, methamphetamine and heroin. Alcohol was the most commonly used substance by 8th, 10th, and 12th grade students both in their lifetime (18 percent) and in the past month (7 percent), followed by vaping (9 percent for lifetime, 4 percent for past month) and marijuana (7 percent for lifetime, 3 percent for past month).
3. Reported Experience of Bullying Increased
About 10 percent of 8th, 10th and 12th grade students reported having been bullied on school property in the past year. The 2023 rate for having been bullied rose slightly from 9 percent in 2021, which was the lowest rate reported since 2016. This year’s rate was highest among 8th grade students (17 percent) and lowest among 12th grade students (6 percent). In addition, the percentage of 6th grade students who reported this experience in 2023 was 25 percent, an increase from 20 percent in 2021 and 23 percent in 2022.
4. Over 1 in 3 Students Reported Being Physically Active
More than one-third of 8th, 10th and 12th grade students (38 percent) and less than half of 6th grade students (43 percent) indicated that they were physically active for at least one hour per day on five or more days in the past week. The rates were slightly lower for both younger and older students than last year.
5. Most Students Feel Supported at Home and In School
The Youth Survey examines assets or protective factors within the school, community and family life that promote well-being and positive development. According to the findings, most of 8th, 10th and 12th grade students reported having opportunities to talk to their teacher one-on-one (80 percent) and having teachers who notice if they do a good job (62 percent).
Many students also reported having assets in their families, including parents who are available for help (87 percent) and family members who respect each other (77 percent).
Survey Background
Since 2001, the Board of Supervisors and the School Board have co-sponsored the Youth Survey, which helps monitor behavior trends and changes among our youth and provides crucial information to help prioritize the focus for prevention and youth development efforts throughout the community. It is an anonymous and voluntary survey given each year to Fairfax County Public Schools students in grades 8, 10 and 12 (sixth graders take a modified, shorter survey).
The survey is typically administered online during the fall of each school year and is offered in eight languages: Arabic, Chinese, English, Farsi, Korean, Spanish, Urdu and Vietnamese.
This year, a total of 28,545 students in grades 8, 10, and 12 participated in the survey, representing 66 percent of enrolled students. A total of 11,444 grade 6 students participated in the 6th grade survey, representing 87 percent of enrolled students. The Youth Survey was not administered in 2020 due to COVID-19.
Three to Succeed
Three to Succeed is the notion that the presence of three or more positive, protective factors in a student’s life can lead to making better choices, engaging in healthier habits and managing stress in a positive manner. Three to Succeed identifies opportunities for youth and adults to build upon protective factors. A few of these protective factors include:
- Having high personal integrity.
- Performing community service.
- Having teachers recognize good work.
- Having community adults to talk to.
- Participating in extracurricular activities.
- Having parents available for help.
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