New data from the Vermont Department of Health indicates a positive shift in the well-being of the state's middle and high school students. The 2025 survey results show a notable decrease in students reporting poor mental health. About one-quarter of teens now report these struggles, down from one-third in the 2023 report.
Substance use among Vermont youth also follows a downward trend. Current reports show marijuana use at 18 percent, alcohol consumption at 22 percent, and vaping at 14 percent. These numbers represent a decline from the peak usage rates seen in 2019, where those figures reached 29 percent.
Health officials highlighted additional metrics regarding student lifestyle and safety. While 53 percent of high schoolers report feeling they matter to their community, safety concerns persist, as nearly 4 in 10 students state they could access a loaded firearm without permission.
Dr. Rick Hildebrant, the state health commissioner, stated that the progress in mental health and substance use areas shows that specific interventions are making a difference. The department continues to monitor these metrics to identify where students face ongoing challenges.