City Leaders, Youth Groups Announce Teen Mental Health Survey Results

Published on September 27, 2024

SAN ANTONIO (September 27, 2024) – The City of San Antonio Department of Human Services’ San Antonio Youth Commission (SAYC) and the Metropolitan Health District’s Project Worth Teen Ambassadors have released the results from the third annual Teen Mental Health Survey. Conducted this spring, the survey gathered insights from San Antonio residents from 12 to 19 years old.

Previous survey data revealed 59 percent of respondents believe school has a negative impact on their mental health and that youth turn to their peers for support when struggling with a mental health challenge. In response, Project Worth Teen Ambassadors and the SAYC partnered with the Center of Health Care Services to offer Teen Mental Health First Aid training. This training equipped teens with skills to identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental health and substance abuse challenges among their friends and peers. 

Highlighted progress in improving teen mental health outcomes:

• 25 percent stated an inability to perform day-to-day tasks, down from 37 percent in 2022
• 36 percent stated feeling helpless, hopeless, numb, or like nothing matters, down from 49 percent in 2022
• 10 percent stated smoking, vaping, or using drugs, down from 24 percent in 2022
• A decrease from 26 percent in 2022 to 11 percent in 2024 of youth reporting self-harm 
• 28 percent in 2022 to 14 percent in 2024 of youth reporting suicidal ideation
• Both LGBTQ+ and straight/heterosexual youth experienced a decrease in both categories, but LGBTQ+ youth were over three times more likely to report self-harm and/or suicidal ideation.

“The results of our teen mental health survey have continued to tell us that the issue of teen mental health is far too present in our community,” Anna Hurd, SAYC District 1 member said. “Whether it be at school or at home, teens all over San Antonio are struggling with mental health. I hope that our data collected can continue to be a valuable resource as it has in the past years, and I hope that we can continue to work to solve this issue.”

Audrey Samora, Project Worth Teen Ambassador, said, “Although I am happy to know San Antonio teens have reported decreases in depression and self-harm, San Antonio’s need for teen mental health resources should only continue to increase and improve. No child in San Antonio should feel unable to speak out about their mental health. I hope that this year San Antonio can increase their reach to teenagers in every neighborhood and continue mental health-related programming and events.”

Jessie Higgins, Chief Mental Health Officer, Metropolitan Health District, said, “I’m so thankful to the teens of San Antonio who responded to this survey so that we can better understand how to work together to meet their needs. It was encouraging to see many areas of improvement, and I hope that our community will continue to rally around the youth of San Antonio so that each one of them is safe, healthy, and happy!”

Melody Woosley, Department of Human Services Director, said, “This survey is a confidential way to tell City and youth leaders how they can better support our teen population. The 2024 survey results will continue to inform City decisions and make a real difference in the lives of this young group. The City of San Antonio is listening and ready to act.”

For survey results, visit SA.gov.