The back-to-school season is a great time to engage with youth about mental health and substance use to promote their well-being throughout the academic year. To support these conversations, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has launchedFree Mind, a new national campaign that provides youth ages 12-17 and their parents and caregivers with resources and information about substance use, mental health, and the connection between the two.
Experience the full interactive Multichannel News Release here: https://www.multivu.com/cdc/9346151-en-cdc-launches-new-campaign-address-youth-substance-use-mental-health
https://www.multivu.com/cdc/image/9346151-freeminds-01.jpg
The drug overdose crisis is constantly evolving and remains an important public health issue. In 2024, more than 80,000 Americans died from a drug overdose. From 2020 to 2024, 75% of overdose deaths among youth ages 10-19 involved illegally made fentanyl. In addition, the number of teens reportingpoor mental health has increasedin the past decade. In 2023, 40% of high school students stopped regular activities because of persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness and one in five students seriously considered attempting suicide.
“Teens may use alcohol and other substances to cope with stress, anxiety, and depression,” said Dr. Allison Arwady, Director of the CDC National Center for Injury Prevention and Control. “Talking openly about mental health and substance use, and knowing when to get professional help, is critical to helping teens stay healthy. That's why this campaign supports youth, parents, and caregivers in having those conversations early, before an issue arises.”
CDC spoke with youth about their knowledge and perceptions regarding substance use to develop messages, branding, and tactical strategies forFree Mind. The campaign seeks to resonate with this age group by addressing the connections between substance use and mental health, risk factors that contribute to drug use, and strategies to keep them safe. CDC also has created resources for parents and caregivers about substance use and mental health challenges youth may face.
Visitcdc.gov/freemindto learn more about theFree Mindcampaign. For more information about CDC's overdose prevention efforts, go tocdc.gov/overdose-prevention/.
To read the original release, pleasevisit CDC.gov.
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICESWhether diseases start at home or abroad, are curable or preventable, chronic or acute, or from human activity or deliberate attack, CDC's world-leading experts protect lives and livelihoods, national security and the U.S. economy by providing timely, commonsense information, and rapidly identifying and responding to diseases, including outbreaks and illnesses. CDC drives science, public health research, and data innovation in communities across the country by investing in local initiatives to protect everyone's health.
Media Contact: media@cdc.gov, (404) 639-326
https://www.multivu.com/cdc/image/9346151-freeminds-02.jpg
https://www.multivu.com/cdc/image/9346151-freeminds-03.jpg
https://www.multivu.com/cdc/image/9346151-freeminds-04.jpg
https://www.multivu.com/cdc/image/9346151-freeminds-05.jpg
https://www.multivu.com/cdc/image/9346151-freeminds-06.jpg
https://c212.net/c/img/favicon.png?sn=AQ46979&sd=2025-08-07
View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/cdc-launches-new-campaign-to-address-youth-substance-use-and-mental-health-302524817.html
SOURCE The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
https://rt.newswire.ca/rt.gif?NewsItemId=AQ46979&Transmission_Id=202508071634PR_NEWS_USPR_____AQ46979&DateId=20250807