Washington survey shows student gains

Washington state’s 2025 Healthy Youth Survey offers a rare piece of education and public-health data moving in a more favorable direction. The biennial survey, released April 29 by state agencies, found that many indicators tied to student mental health, substance use and school engagement were stable or improving, with 10th graders showing some of the clearest gains. State officials said the results suggest trends seen in recent years have largely held. Local reporting in Spokane and Auburn highlighted lower anxiety, higher hope and reduced risky internet-use indicators among teens. ### Who runs this survey, and what does it measure? The Healthy Youth Survey is a Washington statewide survey of students in grades 6 through 12 that has been administered every two years since 2002. The survey is a joint effort of the Washington State Health Care Authority, the Department of Health, the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction and the Liquor and Cannabis Board, according to state materials. (doh.wa.gov) The 2025 survey asks students about mental health, school climate, substance use, safety and related behaviors. State agencies said the data are intended for schools, local health jurisdictions and community groups using the results to plan prevention and support efforts. ### What changed for 10th graders? Washington’s Health Care Authority said nearly 26% of 10th graders in 2025 reported depressive feelings, down from about 30% in 2023. (doh.wa.gov) The same release said about 75% of participants reported strong feelings of hope, up from 71% in 2023. The Healthy Youth Survey site said about 1 in 3 Washington 10th graders reported feeling nervous, anxious, on edge, or unable to stop or control worrying. (doh.wa.gov) It also said most mental-health outcomes, including hope, showed continued improvement. Auburn Reporter, citing the new results, reported that “at risk” problematic internet use among 10th graders fell from more than 53% in King County and 47.5% statewide in 2021 to just under 40% in the latest survey. (hca.wa.gov) The paper said the survey only began asking about internet use, social anxiety and withdrawal in 2021. ### What did the survey say about support from adults? (askhys.net) In 2025, 61% of 10th graders said they had an adult they could turn to when they felt sad or hopeless, according to the Health Care Authority. The agency said those students were less likely than peers without that support to report anxiety, self-harm, suicidal thoughts or suicide attempts. (auburn-reporter.com) The Healthy Youth Survey highlights page similarly said about 6 in 10 participating 10th graders reported having an adult they could turn to when they felt sad or hopeless. That measure is one of the survey’s clearest markers of protective support around students. ### What about substance use and school engagement? The joint state news release said outcomes in mental health and substance use seen in recent years were holding steady in 2025. KHQ’s local report said the survey also showed continued low substance use and increased academic engagement among Washington youth. (hca.wa.gov) OSPI’s Healthy Youth Survey page says the questionnaire covers school climate and community safety as well as anxiety, depression and substance use. (askhys.net) That broader scope is why districts and public-health agencies use the results for both education and prevention planning. ### Where can readers find the underlying results? Washington’s Department of Health and OSPI both direct readers to the Healthy Youth Survey website for the 2025 results. (askhys.net) The state agencies released the findings on April 29, 2026, and the survey partners say statewide and local tables are available through the Healthy Youth Survey system. The next public step is local use of the data. (ospi.k12.wa.us) The Department of Health said the findings are meant to guide local health jurisdictions and community partners, while schools and districts can compare their own results with the statewide 2025 benchmarks. (doh.wa.gov)