Harrisburg, Pa. — A statewide survey of more than 267,000 Pennsylvania students showed investments in youth mental health and school safety were delivering positive outcomes, the Pa. Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD) said Oct. 2.
Mental health concerns, depression and suicide-risk indicators were all declining among the commonwealth’s youth, according to a Pennsylvania Youth Survey (PAYS) presentation given the week of Sept. 28 at the PCCD School Safety and Security Committee meeting.
“The Pennsylvania Youth Survey continues to be one of our most valuable tools for understanding what students are dealing with in their daily lives,” said Kirsten Kenyon, executive director of PCCD. “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.”
PAYS is an anonymous and voluntary survey of Pennsylvania students in grades 6, 8, 10 and 12 that gathers insights on youth behavior, attitudes and knowledge related to substance use and violence.
The survey is conducted through a partnership of PCCD, the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) and the Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs (DDAP). Its results help school districts implement effective youth development and prevention programs, strengthen strategies to keep students safe and ensure students have a voice in what’s happening in their schools and communities, the agencies said.
“Behind every statistic in the Pennsylvania Youth Survey is a student’s experience of school,” said PDE Secretary Dr. Carrie Rowe. “The progress we’re seeing tells us that the investments in mental health and school safety are making a difference. Where the survey shows us that students continue to struggle, we are reminded that our work isn’t finished. This survey helps us build toward the goal of having schools where every student can feel safe, supported, and ready to learn.”
According to PCCD, 76% of participating students in the 2025 PAYS reported their overall mental health is good, an increase from 71% in 2023.
Suicide-risk indicators — including seriously considering suicide, making a plan and attempts — have fallen steadily since 2021, PCCD said.
Additionally, 83% of students reported feeling safe at school, an increase from 78% in 2023, PCCD said.
Other key positive findings from the 2025 PAYS, according to PCCD:
Persistent sadness and feelings of worthlessness have all declined.Students increasingly believe substances are harmful.Students report greater trust that adults will intervene when bullying occurs.Reports of being threatened, attacked or encountering weapons at school have also declined.Youth access to alcohol, cigarettes, marijuana, prescription and illicit drugs is more difficult.
“Prevention really is the first line of defense in stopping a substance use disorder from developing,” said DDAP Secretary Dr. Latika Davis-Jones. “These results demonstrate the Shapiro-Davis Administration’s commitment to providing critical prevention resources at a critical time in students’ lives. This PAYS data underscores the value of prevention, early intervention, and the continued work of schools, communities, and our partners across the Commonwealth to give young Pennsylvanians the support and resources to thrive.”
PCCD said the 2025 PAYS also showed areas in need of continued focus:
Although mental health concerns have improved, nearly one in seven students have seriously considered suicide in the past year.While some bullying indicators have improved, frequent bullying and school avoidance due to bullying have not returned to pre-2021 levels.Measures of school connectedness, such as opportunities for one-on-one teacher support and student voice in the classroom, have remained largely stagnant.Senior participation remains the lowest of all grade levels.
Since taking office, the Shapiro-Davis administration has invested more than $400 million in over 1,100 public and private K-12 schools, according to PCCD.
Over the last three years, more than $130 million of this funding has been used by public schools to increase mental health supports for students, PCCD said.
In August, PCCD announced more than $140 million in funding — what PCCD called the largest amount of state funding ever provided for School Safety, Security and Mental Health grants in a single year — to enhance school safety, security and mental health supports across Pennsylvania’s public and nonpublic schools.
More information about PAYS and PCCD’s efforts to make Pennsylvania’s schools safer is available on the PCCD website.
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org.
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