The survey found several positive changes that show improvements in students’ well-being and support systems:

1. Family and School Support: More students said they feel safe and supported at home and at school compared to past years. Sixth graders showed the biggest improvement in feeling safe with their families, and high school students felt safer at school than before.
2. Trust in Adults: Many students said they have trusted adults at school they can go to for help. This is important for dealing with issues like bullying and mental health. Trust in adults increased across all grades, suggesting stronger school support systems.
3. Coping Skills: Students said they feel better able to handle tough situations, suggesting improved stress management compared to 2022.
4. Depression, Self-Harm, and Suicide Consideration: Across all grade levels, fewer students reported feeling depressed, harming themselves, or thinking about suicide compared to 2022.
5. Substance Use: The use of alcohol, marijuana, and e-cigarettes has either gone down or remained the same across all grades compared to 2022.
6. Driving Behaviors: Fewer students who drive reported driving under the influence of alcohol or marijuana, or using their phones while driving, compared to 2020.
7. Sexual Messaging: Fewer high school students said they sent or received sexually explicit messages or photos compared to 2020.

While there were many positive changes, the survey also showed areas of vulnerability for our students:

1. Bullying: Highest rates of bullying were reported in 6^th and 8^th grades. There was a slight increase in bullying reports among 6th-grade students compared to previous years.
2. Time on Social Media: More students, especially in 8th grade and high school, said they spend too much time on social media compared to 2022.
3. Exposure to Pornography: While fewer students reported sending or receiving sexual messages, more students said they viewed pornography compared to 2022. *Note: This survey question was updated in 2024 to better define what counts as pornography. This change may account for some of the changes in student reporting.
4. Mental Health and Risky Behaviors: Even though depression and suicidal thoughts have decreased overall, students who feel depressed or think about suicide are more likely to engage in other risky behaviors. These include self-harm, unhealthy dieting, and substance use. When looking at data across all reporting school districts, certain groups of students are at higher risk for depression and suicidal thoughts, including:
   • Students who identify as LGBTQ (gay, lesbian, bisexual, non-binary, or transgender)
   • Students from specific racial and ethnic groups, such as Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander, Southeast Asian, Hispanic/Latinx, and American Indian/Alaska Native students.
5. Substance Use: While substance use has decreased overall, high school students continue to report higher levels of alcohol and drug use than younger students.
6. Risky Sexual Behaviors: High school students were more likely to engage in risky sexual behaviors, such as having sexual intercourse or viewing pornography, and reported higher rates of sexual harassment than their younger peers.