Media Contact
Katy Payne she/her
360-764-0201
The statewide 2023 Healthy Youth Survey (HYS) results are now available, representing the voices of over 217,000 Washington students in grades 6–12. The survey focuses on the health and wellbeing of young people. In 2023, students reported improved health behaviors and mental health along with increased social support. While concerns remain, the findings suggest positive changes in adolescent health and wellbeing. These results are an opportunity to carry this momentum forward and continue focusing on prevention and resiliency among youth in Washington.
The COVID-19 pandemic brought with it a large decrease, roughly 50%, in most youth substance use. While the long-term impacts are unknown, in 2023 we see that substance use has mostly remained stable, both in Washington and nationally, according to the 2023 HYS and Monitoring the Future (MTF) surveys. Among 10th grade Washington State HYS participants in 2023:
- 8% reported current vaping
- 9% reported current alcohol use
- 8% reported current cannabis use
An exception to this stable trend were increases in misuse of prescription drugs, pain killers, and other illegal drugs compared to 2021. While representing a relatively small proportion of students overall (each under 3%), these findings show more prevention work is needed. There was also an increase in 2023 in the number of 10th graders who reported ever having alcohol, but this remains lower than students reported in 2018 (49% in 2018; 32% in 2021; 40% in 2023).
Mental health outcomes among 10th graders are improving, but remain highly concerning, especially for youth who already face more barriers to mental health support. According to the new data, depressive feelings and contemplation or planning suicide significantly decreased from 2021 to 2023. Even so, 30% of 10th graders reported persistent depressive feelings, and nearly 15% reported contemplating suicide. While this is an unacceptable level of youth struggling with suicidal thoughts, it is also the lowest rate we have seen in Washington in 20 years.
The same improving trends seen among youth in general were also seen among sexually or gender-diverse (LGBTQ+) youth and those reporting a disability. However, many of these students still experience far higher levels of mental health issues. Depressive feelings were nearly two times higher for students who identify as female compared to male, more than two times higher for LGBTQ+ youth, and three times higher among students identifying as having a disability.
10th graders report significant increases in social support. Compared to 2021, more students reported:
- Having adults to turn to when feeling depressed (50% in 2021 vs. 59% in 2023)
- Having people from school who would help them (72% in 2021 vs. 77% in 2023)
- Receiving information from their school about the warning signs of suicide (47% in 2021 vs. 56% in 2023)
- Greater levels of success on academic indicators (52% in 2021 vs. 56% in 2023)
State agencies are encouraged by the tremendous work done by people across Washington, especially students, during challenging times. Students took the time to provide important information about their lives and this will guide the implementation of prevention and health promotion initiatives. To these students, their families, and the communities that continue to offer supportive environments, we thank you!
Visit www.AskHYS.net to access resources, explore the data dashboard, propose new or modified survey questions for 2025, learn about survey process, or how to advocate for your child’s school to participate in the next round.
The Washington State Health Care Authority, Washington State Department of Health, Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction, and Liquor and Cannabis Board collaborate on the biennial HYS. Student participation is voluntary and anonymous. The last survey was conducted in 2021, and 2023 marked the 18th statewide youth survey in Washington.
