Turn on cookies to sign in
Signing in saves your progress to your Curie account. We can only do that with cookies on — turn them on to continue.
Nearly 1 in 5 US teens experience moderate-to-severe anxiety, yet nearly half go untreated. A new national study found that severe anxiety in adolescents is closely tied to depression, suicidal thoughts, and substance use. Experts say the findings highlight a critical gap in mental health access for young people.
A large national study published in JAMA Pediatrics reveals that anxiety symptoms are alarmingly common among US adolescents — and that many of those most affected aren't receiving any mental health care. Researchers analyzed data from over 15,700 teens aged 12–20 using the 2024 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, finding that moderate and severe anxiety symptoms were especially prevalent among female adolescents.
The study also uncovered troubling co-occurring conditions: teens with severe anxiety were far more likely to report major depression, suicidal ideation, and substance use compared to those with minimal symptoms. Despite this, nearly 4 in 10 teens with severe anxiety received no mental health treatment in the past year — a stark reminder of how wide the treatment gap remains.
By the Numbers:
Why it matters: These findings set a new national benchmark for adolescent anxiety and make a compelling case for improving early identification and expanding access to evidence-based mental health treatment for teens.
