The 2025 Tennessee State of the Child Report shows a trend in declining mental health for 12 to 17-year-olds.

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Over the past few years, more children than ever in Tennessee have reported struggling with their mental health. 

“Comparing a different survey that we used, we are seeing those similar trends of increased mental health challenges in youth,” Kylie Graves, director of data, policy and communications with the Tennessee Commission on Children and Youth, said.

Mental health professionals call the suicide rates across the state alarming.

“We have more suicides in Tennessee than the national average for young adults, adolescents, and children,” Bruce Marshall, executive director at CONTACT Care Line, said. 

Experts point to bullying, specifically cyberbullying, as a key problem and use numbers to back it up. The 2025 Tennessee State of the Child Report shows one-third of children across Tennessee say they’ve been bullied. 

“Cyberbullying is where that happens because it’s so easy for someone to reach their intended target,” Marshall said. 

And reaching those children can be hard, as money and resources are in short supply. 

“In the 2022 to 2023 time frame, 63% of Tennessee youth who had a major depressive episode previously in the last year didn’t receive any sort of treatment,” Graves said. 

Professionals and leaders in the state are recognizing the problem, and they say it needs more attention.

“The Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse is looking to expand those services available. But, I think … that more work is needed in that area,” Marshall said.

And part of that effort is spreading the word about the 988 Crisis Line.

“988 works because it meets people where they are, often quietly, privately and before things reach a breaking point,” Marshall said.

If you or someone you know requires mental health help, you can call or text 988 to be connected with a mental health professional.