New survey data spanning more than a decade shows significant declines in substance use among Howard County youth, while rising reports of sadness
and hopelessness underscore continued mental health challenges.
The Howard County Health Department (HCHD) recently released new trend findings from the Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS), offering a look at more than a decade of health and behavioral trends among the County’s middle and high school students.
The data, covering trends from 2013 through 2024, show consistent declines in alcohol, marijuana, tobacco, and electronic smoking device use. At the same time, mental health indicators show a more complicated picture, with increases in reported sadness and hopelessness and varying trends in suicide-related behaviors among different groups of students.
- Among middle school students, reported alcohol use declined from 6.0% in 2013 to 3.7% in 2024, while marijuana, tobacco, and electronic smoking device use also declined across most demographic groups. However, the percentage of students reporting sadness or hopelessness increased from 19.4% to 29.0% during the same period.
- Among high school students, alcohol use dropped substantially, from 30.1% in 2013 to 12.7% in 2024. Marijuana, tobacco, and electronic smoking device use also declined across all reported demographic groups.
Mental health trends among high school students were mixed. Reported sadness or hopelessness increased from 23.3% to 28.3% between 2013 and 2024, while reported suicide attempts declined from 16.1% in 2021 to 5.6% in 2024.
“Taken together, these trends show a clear picture of both progress and ongoing challenges for our youth,” said Antigone Vickery, Deputy Health Officer. “We are encouraged by the significant declines in alcohol, tobacco, marijuana, and ESD use, as well as the substantial reduction in high school suicide attempts.”
The findings will help guide Howard County’s ongoing prevention, mental health, and substance use initiatives. HCHD currently operates a comprehensive Suicide Prevention Program and the countywide “It’s OK to Ask” campaign, which works to reduce stigma and encourage conversations about mental health. The Department is also updating its Teen Health Matters website with input from students and developing a Youth Advisory Council to help ensure future programs reflect the needs and perspectives of young people in the County. Both initiatives are expected to launch later this fall.