Youth Mental Health Rates Improve, But Disparities Persist

Decline in Teen Mental Health Struggles and Substance Use

According to the 2025 Youth Risk Behavior Survey, which has polled Vermont middle and high school students every two years since 1995, over 15,000 students completed forms last year. The results indicate that the share of high school students reporting poor mental health dropped to one in four, an improvement from one in three in 2023.

Substance use metrics followed a similar downward trajectory. High school students reporting e-cigarette use in the past 30 days dropped to about 14%, a steep decline from 26% in 2019, according to survey data. Overall tobacco use, which encompasses vapes, cigarettes, cigars, and smokeless tobacco pouches, sat at 18% among students.

Elias Klemperer, a researcher at the University of Vermont who studies tobacco use, called the drop a “very good sign” that mirrors national trends. Hildebrant credited youth-led anti-tobacco initiatives like Unhyped for fostering positive peer pressure against nicotine products.

Persistent Disparities Among Vulnerable Student Groups

Despite statewide progress, health officials emphasize that overall distress remains too high, with pronounced disparities affecting specific demographics. Female high school students reported poor mental health at more than twice the rate of male students, according to the report. Furthermore, LGBTQ+ students faced significantly higher rates of sadness, anxiety, self-harm, and suicide planning than their peers.

Dana Kaplan, executive director of Outright Vermont, an organization supporting LGBTQ+ youth, stated that queer teens’ poor mental health stems from “the level of bullying, harassment, rejection (and) isolation” rather than any inherent issue with a young person’s identity. Kaplan noted that while Vermont maintains strong legal protections, a gap persists between official policies and the daily lived experiences of queer youth who frequently face misgendering and identity-based questions.

Shifting Tactics in Adolescent Tobacco and Nicotine Markets

While traditional cigarette smoking remains low at 6% among high school students, public health advocates warn that the nicotine landscape is evolving. Jill Sudhoff-Guerin, a lobbyist and spokesperson for the Coalition for a Tobacco Free Vermont, described the ongoing monitoring of alternative products as a “game of whack-a-mole.”

Early reports indicate rising popularity for smokeless tobacco pouches, such as Zyns, alongside e-cigarettes designed to resemble everyday items like phones or toys. Sudhoff-Guerin noted that tobacco manufacturers remain highly skilled at marketing directly to youth.

Frequently Asked Questions

What caused the recent drop in Vermont teen mental health issues?

According to Vermont Department of Health Commissioner Dr. Rick Hildebrant, the improvement is partly a slow recovery from the severe mental health impacts experienced by youth during the Covid-19 pandemic.

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How much has teen vaping decreased in Vermont?

About 14% of high school students reported using a vape or electronic cigarette in the past 30 days, down significantly from 26% in 2019, according to survey data.

Which student groups experience the highest rates of poor mental health?

Data shows that female students, LGBTQ+ teens, and high school students with educational disabilities report disproportionately higher rates of poor mental health and lower feelings of community connectedness.