Improving Mental Health Trends Among Vermont Youth
Recent data from the 2025 Vermont Youth Risk Behavior Survey indicates a shift in the mental health status of the state’s high school and middle school population. The survey, which has tracked student behavior since 1995, gathered responses from over 15,000 students. Results show a decrease in the number of teens reporting symptoms of depression and anxiety compared to previous years. This marks a departure from the persistent negative trends observed throughout the Covid-19 pandemic.
Vermont Department of Health Commissioner Dr. Rick Hildebrant attributes these gains to a gradual stabilization following the disruption of the pandemic. He suggests that the broader population is moving away from the peak distress periods experienced during lockdown years. Still, the data confirms that one in four high school students continue to report poor mental health, a figure Hildebrant describes as alarming. The progress is measurable but clearly incomplete.
Disparities and the Importance of Connectedness
While general trends show improvement, specific subgroups of students continue to struggle at higher rates. Female students, LGBTQ+ youth, and those with educational disabilities report significantly higher instances of poor mental health compared to their peers. These groups often face unique hurdles related to school climate and personal safety. The survey data points toward a lack of perceived connectedness as a primary factor in these disparately low mental health outcomes.
Dana Kaplan, executive director of Outright Vermont, points out that the challenges facing queer youth originate from external social factors rather than individual identity. Harassment, isolation, and persistent rejection remain daily realities for many students. Kaplan notes that even in a state with strong legal protections, the practical experience of being misgendered or excluded at school creates a significant barrier to wellbeing. Research confirms that when students feel like they matter to their community, their self-esteem and general mental health improve.
Shifting Patterns in Substance Use
Beyond mental health, the 2025 survey highlights a decline in substance use among teenagers. E-cigarette use has dropped notably, with 14% of high school students reporting use in the last month, down from 26% in 2019. Researcher Elias Klemperer from the University of Vermont labels this a positive sign, reflecting a wider national trend in declining nicotine reliance among adolescents. Peer-led initiatives, such as Unhyped, appear to have played a role by promoting tobacco-free social norms within schools.
Despite these gains, experts express caution regarding the long-term direction of teen substance use. Tobacco companies continue to introduce new products that complicate public health efforts. Usage of smokeless nicotine pouches is rising, and some e-cigarette designs are intentionally crafted to mimic everyday items like phones or toys. Jill Sudhoff-Guerin of the Coalition for a Tobacco Free Vermont characterizes this environment as a game of whack-a-mole. The industry remains aggressive in its marketing, forcing health advocates to constantly pivot their strategies to address emerging products. As these products evolve, the state faces the ongoing task of maintaining school environments where students feel safe and supported rather than targeted by marketing campaigns.