Findings from the 2025 Youth Risk Behavior Survey
New Hampshire high school students report lower rates of depression and suicidal ideation compared to data collected four years ago. The 2025 Youth Risk Behavior Survey, published Tuesday by the state Department of Health and Human Services, indicates a positive shift in student well-being following the significant mental health strain caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Nearly 11,740 students from approximately 80 high schools across the state participated in this anonymous study.
State officials report that roughly one in three students now describe themselves as feeling persistently sad or hopeless. This figure represents a 10% decrease from the 2021 data set. Even more striking is the reduction in suicidal behavior. Approximately 16% of students indicated in the 2025 results that they had considered, planned, or attempted suicide. That number sat at nearly 25% during the previous survey period.
Health and Human Services Commissioner Lori Weaver credited the improvement to broader access to school-based resources and support systems. She noted that students feel more connected to their peers and academic communities than they did in the immediate aftermath of the pandemic lockdowns. The survey results also show a downward trend in substance use. Fewer students report smoking cigarettes, drinking alcohol, vaping, or using illicit drugs such as marijuana, heroin, and methamphetamine.
Areas of Concern for State Officials
Not every metric in the report shows progress. Data on distracted driving habits remains a persistent issue for educators and law enforcement. Nearly half of the participating students admitted to texting or emailing while behind the wheel. This specific risk behavior has trended upward consistently since the state first began tracking it in 2013.
Excessive screen time also remains a significant challenge for the student population. Seventy-five percent of respondents stated they spend at least three hours daily on a cellphone or similar electronic device. While the survey does not explicitly draw a causal line between screen time and the reported improvements in mental health, the high volume of digital engagement continues to worry public health advocates.
The Political Context of Data Collection
This survey functions as a primary tool for setting public health policy and securing state funding for school safety and wellness programs. Despite its utility, the survey faces opposition from some Republican state lawmakers. These legislators have repeatedly sought to restrict its use or change the administration process from an opt-out to an opt-in model.
Critics of the current format argue that the survey lacks necessary privacy protections, even though the data is gathered anonymously. Supporters of the project, including law enforcement and public health professionals, maintain that the information is vital for understanding the risks facing children. They argue that limiting the survey restricts the state's ability to identify and address emerging threats to student safety.
Looking ahead, the 2025 data will dictate how the state allocates resources for bullying prevention and behavioral health services. Lawmakers will likely continue to debate the future of the instrument during the upcoming legislative cycle. For now, schools continue to follow the existing protocol of providing parents with advanced notice and the opportunity to opt their children out of the assessment.