Young people in our community continue to report lower rates of mental health concerns in more recent years, according to the 2024-2025 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 also identifies ways that parents, caregivers, educators and adults in the community can actively help teens succeed and avoid or reduce risky behaviors.
1. Mental health concerns continued to trend downwards
Over one in five 8th, 10th and 12th grade students (22%) reported feeling so sad or hopeless for two or more weeks in a row in the past year that they stopped doing some of their usual activities. This was a 16 percentage-point decrease from 2021 (38%). Meanwhile, over one in four 6th grade students (27%) reported this feeling during the same period. While the 2024 rate was lower compared to the rates during and post-pandemic (i.e., between 2021 and 2023), the 6th grade rate was still higher than the pre-pandemic levels (i.e., 2019 and earlier).
2. Rates of substance use among youth were the lowest in at least a decade
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, smoking cigarettes, smokeless tobacco, vaping and non-medical use of painkillers, among others. Fairfax County youth continued to report lower rates of use than national averages for most substances assessed on the survey.
3. Some students reported experiencing bullying
Ten percent of 8th, 10th and 12th grade students reported being bullied on school property in the past year, similar to the rate in 2023. Eighth grade students were twice as likely to report being bullied (16%) as 10th grade (8%) and 12th grade students (6%). Additionally, about a quarter of 6th grade students (25%) reported being bullied.
4. Many students spent over three hours per day using electronics for non-school activities
Two in five 8th, 10th and 12th grade students (40%) and one in three 6th grade students (34%) reported spending three or more hours on an average school day playing video or computer games or using a computer (including tablets and smartphones) for non-school activities.
5. Most students feel supported at home and in the community
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 the 8th, 10th and 12th grade students reported having parents available to help them (88%), and less than half said they have adults in the community to talk to (47%). Additionally, 84% said they felt safe at their school.
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 6, 8, 10 and 12. Sixth grade students 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 32,361 students in grades 8, 10 and 12 participated in the survey, representing 73% of enrolled students. An additional 12,294 grade 6 students participated in the 6th grade survey, representing 89% of enrolled students. The Fairfax County 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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