Survey Indicates Improvement in Youth Mental Health and School Safety in Pennsylvania

According to the Pennsylvania Youth Survey (PAYS) presentation at the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency’s (PCCD) School Safety and Security Committee meeting, indicators related to mental health concerns, depression, and suicide risks are decreasing among the state’s youth.

Kirsten Kenyon, executive director of PCCD, emphasized the value of the PAYS in understanding student experiences, stating, "The 2025 results show positive trends in mental health and safety, a sign that our continued investments in school-based mental health and safety initiatives at the state level are paying off."

Carrie Rowe, Secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE), noted the significance of these statistics, saying, "The progress we’re seeing tells us that the investments in mental health and school safety are making a difference." She reiterated the importance of continuing efforts as not all students are thriving yet.

The 2025 PAYS findings reveal that 76% of students reported good overall mental health, an increase from 71% in 2023. Furthermore, suicide-risk indicators have been declining steadily since 2021, and 83% of students now feel safe at school, up from 78% in 2023.

Additional positive findings include:

- Decreases in persistent sadness and feelings of worthlessness.

- Increased belief among students that substances are harmful.

- Greater trust in adults to intervene during bullying incidents.

- A decline in reports of being threatened, attacked, or encountering weapons at school.

- Reduced youth access to alcohol, cigarettes, marijuana, and drugs.

Latika Davis-Jones, Secretary of the Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs (DDAP), stated, "Prevention really is the first line of defense in stopping a substance use disorder from developing."

In related news, U.S. Representative Dan Meuser attended the 171st Bloomsburg State Fair and participated in the Fourth Annual Veterans Ceremony hosted by State Representative Robert Leadbeter. Meuser took the opportunity to honor local veterans, highlighting Pennsylvania’s military history.

During the fair, Meuser's staff were available to assist constituents with federal services such as passport applications and VA benefits.

In another development, the Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry announced a drop in average call wait times for unemployment assistance to seven minutes, a significant improvement from a previous average exceeding one hour before January 2023. This change coincides with enhanced services, including a 24/7 live chat option achieving an average response time of just 11 seconds.

As seasonal employment declines, the Department advises that individuals may reopen existing unemployment claims rather than submitting new ones. Pennsylvanians seeking assistance can contact the UC helpline or use online resources for support.