San Antonio Youth Commission Releases 2024 Teen Mental Health Survey Results
On September 27, 2024, the City of San Antonio’s Department of Human Services, in collaboration with the San Antonio Youth Commission (SAYC) and the Metropolitan Health District’s Project Worth Teen Ambassadors, unveiled the findings from the third annual Teen Mental Health Survey. Conducted in spring 2024, the survey gathered valuable insights from residents aged 12 to 19 in San Antonio.
Key Findings on Teen Mental Health Challenges
Previous survey data indicated that 59 percent of respondents felt school negatively impacted their mental health, and many youths relied on their peers for support during mental health challenges. To address these issues, the Project Worth Teen Ambassadors and SAYC joined forces with the Center of Health Care Services to provide Teen Mental Health First Aid training. This initiative aims to equip teens with the skills necessary to identify and respond to mental health and substance abuse challenges among their peers.
Progress in Teen Mental Health Outcomes
The survey results showcased notable progress in improving teen mental health outcomes:
Daily Task Performance: 25 percent of respondents reported an inability to perform day-to-day tasks, a decrease from 37 percent in 2022.
Feelings of Helplessness: 36 percent reported feeling helpless, hopeless, or numb, down from 49 percent in 2022.
Substance Use: Only 10 percent indicated smoking, vaping, or drug use, down from 24 percent in 2022.
Self-Harm Reports: Instances of self-harm dropped from 26 percent in 2022 to 11 percent in 2024.
Suicidal Ideation: Reports of suicidal thoughts decreased from 28 percent in 2022 to 14 percent in 2024.
Despite these improvements, LGBTQ+ youth were found to be over three times more likely to report self-harm and suicidal ideation compared to their straight counterparts.
Voices of the Community on Mental Health
Anna Hurd, a member of the SAYC from District 1, expressed the ongoing struggle with teen mental health in San Antonio. “The results of our survey show that mental health issues remain prevalent in our community,” she stated. Hurd emphasized the importance of using this data as a resource to address these challenges effectively.
Audrey Samora, a Project Worth Teen Ambassador, acknowledged the positive trends but underscored the necessity for continued mental health resources. “No child in San Antonio should feel unable to speak out about their mental health,” she said, calling for increased outreach to teens in all neighborhoods.
Community Leaders Emphasize Support for Youth
Jessie Higgins, Chief Mental Health Officer at the Metropolitan Health District, expressed gratitude to the teens who participated in the survey, emphasizing the importance of community collaboration to meet their needs. He noted the encouraging areas of improvement and hoped for continued support for San Antonio’s youth.
Melody Woosley, Director of the Department of Human Services, highlighted the survey’s confidential nature as a means for teens to communicate their needs to city leaders. “The 2024 survey results will inform City decisions and make a real difference in the lives of this young group,” she assured, reiterating the City of San Antonio’s commitment to listening and acting on the concerns of its youth.
For further details on the survey results, please visit SA.gov.
 and the Metropolitan Health District’s Project Worth Teen Ambassadors, unveiled the findings from the third annual Teen Mental Health Survey. Conducted in spring 2024, the survey gathered valuable insights from residents aged 12 to 19 in San Antonio.){kind=link}