A statewide survey involving over 267,000 Pennsylvania students has indicated positive trends in youth mental health and school safety, according to the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD). The findings were presented on October 2, based on data from the Pennsylvania Youth Survey (PAYS). The survey revealed a decline in mental health concerns, depression, and suicide-risk indicators among the state’s youth.

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Kirsten Kenyon, executive director of PCCD, stated, "The Pennsylvania Youth Survey continues to be one of our most valuable tools for understanding what students are dealing with in their daily lives." The 2025 survey results showed that 76% of participants reported their overall mental health as good, an increase from 71% in 2023.

Suicide-risk indicators—such as seriously considering suicide, planning, and attempts—have continued to decrease since 2021. Furthermore, the survey found that 83% of students felt safe at school, an increase from 78% in the previous year. Key improvements reported include a decline in persistent sadness and feelings of worthlessness, as well as a growing belief among students that substances are harmful. Trust in adult intervention during bullying events has also increased, while reports of threats and weapon encounters at school have declined.

However, PCCD noted that nearly one in seven students seriously considered suicide in the past year, signaling a need for ongoing attention to mental health issues. Although some bullying indicators improved, instances of frequent bullying and school avoidance due to bullying have not reverted to pre-2021 levels. Additionally, opportunities for one-on-one teacher support and student voice in the classroom have largely stagnated, with senior participation in the survey being notably lower than other grades.

Since taking office, the Shapiro-Davis administration has invested over $400 million into more than 1,100 public and private K-12 schools, with over $130 million allocated specifically for enhancing mental health supports in public schools in the past three years. In August, PCCD announced $140 million in funding—the largest single-year commitment for School Safety, Security, and Mental Health grants in state history—to bolster safety and mental health resources across Pennsylvania’s schools.

For those in crisis, assistance is available through the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.