Did you know?
- 7 in 10 Youth Survey respondents reported using social media to connect with others online.
- 2 in 5 Youth Survey respondents reported they were unsure whether the information or images online were real or fake.
Over 39,000 Fairfax County Public School (FCPS) students in grades 6, 8,10, and 12 voluntarily and anonymously completed the 2025-2026 Fairfax County Youth Survey. Based on the survey findings:
- Mental health among FCPS students has improved since 2021.
- Most FCPS students reported no substance use in the past month; substance use were lower than national averages.
- Healthy behaviors, such as regular physical activity, increased.
- FCPS students reported strong support at home, school, and in the community.
5 Takeaways from the Latest Youth Survey
1. Mental health among Fairfax County Youth continued to improve
Overall, the mental health indicators among 8th, 10th, and 12th grade students, including levels of stress, persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness, suicidal ideation and suicidal attempts continued to improve significantly since 2021. The 2025 rate of persistent feelings of sadness and hopelessness was at 18% and was a 20 percentage-point drop from the rate in 2021. Meanwhile, over one in four 6th grade students (26%) reported this feeling, a seven percentage-point decrease from the rate in 2021.
2. Rates of substance use among Fairfax County youth were lower than national rates
The majority of students (90% of 8th, 10th, and 12th grade students and 96% of 6th grade students) reported no use of any substance in the past month. Most rates of substance use among Fairfax County students were less than the national rates for past month including the use of alcohol, cannabis, cigarettes, hookah and vaping.
3. Many students reported engaging in physical activities
About half of 8th, 10th, and 12th grade students (45%) and 6th grade students (51%) reported being physically active for at least one hour per day for five or more days in the week prior to the survey. The 2025 rates were the highest since 2018. Additionally, over 40% of 8th, 10th, and 12th grade students and 60% of 6th grade students reported doing something active with family or friends three or more times for the same period.
4. Some students spent over three hours per day using social media or playing video games
One fourth of 6th grade students (25%) and over a third of 8th, 10th, and 12th grade students (37%) reported using social media for three or more hours on an average school day. Meanwhile, one fifth of 6th grade students (20%) and 14% of 8th, 10th, and 12th grade students reported playing video or computer games for three or more hours on an average school day.
5. The majority of Fairfax County Youth students reported having support at home, school and in the community
Most 8th, 10th, and 12th grade students reported having adults in their community they can talk to (85%), a trusted adult at school (80%), and parents, caregivers, or other adults in the family whom they can ask for help (89%).
Survey Background
The Youth Survey monitors behavior trends and changes among our youth and helps inform prevention programs and interventions throughout the community. It is an anonymous and voluntary survey given each year since 2010 to Fairfax County Public Schools students in grades 6, 8, 10, and 12. Sixth-grade students take a modified, shorter survey. In 2025, the Fairfax County Youth Survey questionnaire was reviewed and revised to improve its relevance, clarity, and usefulness.
A total of 28,103 students in grades 8, 10, and 12 participated in this year’s survey, representing 65 percent of enrolled students. An additional 11,334 students participated in the 6th grade survey, representing 83 percent of enrolled students.
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.
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