New data from the 2025 statewide Healthy Youth Survey shows encouraging trends for young people in Whatcom County. Youth surveyed report feeling less anxious and depressed compared to prior years, and indicators for substance use -- including illegal drugs, tobacco, marijuana, and alcohol -- have all trended downward or held steady. The results suggest that investments in youth mental health and community support made in the wake of the pandemic continue to pay dividends.
The Healthy Youth Survey is a statewide initiative conducted biennially through Washington's Department of Health in partnership with local public health agencies. It asks students across Washington State about their mental health, substance use, school connectedness, and other factors affecting wellbeing. The survey provides communities with localized data that can be used to shape programs and policies targeted at young people.
Whatcom County's results in 2025 continue a trend that began in 2021. After pandemic-era spikes in youth anxiety, depression, and isolation, local and statewide data began moving in a more positive direction -- and this year's results show that progress is holding. According to Champ Thomaskutty, Director of the Whatcom County Health and Community Services Department, the data reflect the community's sustained commitment to supporting its youngest residents through a difficult period.
"It's encouraging to see data show continued improvements in the mental health of our young people," Thomaskutty said. "This progress is a testament to our community's strong, post-pandemic commitment to supporting youth and families."
The mental health improvements are particularly noteworthy given the national context. Across the United States, youth mental health remains a pressing concern, with rates of anxiety and depression elevated compared to pre-pandemic benchmarks. The fact that Whatcom County is bucking that broader trend -- or at minimum holding steady on improvements -- is meaningful. It suggests that local investments in school-based mental health resources, community programs, and family support services are making a difference.
On the substance use side, the declines in tobacco, marijuana, and alcohol use among Whatcom County youth mirror statewide trends, though local results show the county keeping pace with or slightly ahead of state averages. Reduced substance use among young people is broadly associated with better long-term health outcomes, lower rates of addiction in adulthood, and improved academic performance.
The survey is typically administered through local schools, making school participation rates an important factor in the data's reliability and completeness. Whatcom County's school districts have historically supported the survey as a tool for understanding the needs of their student populations. Results are disaggregated by grade level and demographic factors, allowing educators and health officials to identify where support is most needed.
Despite the broadly positive trends, the Whatcom County results do note some exceptions -- areas where progress has stalled or where particular subgroups of youth continue to face elevated challenges. The county has not yet released a full breakdown of those specific areas in this initial announcement, but the complete data report is expected to be available through the Whatcom County Health and Community Services website for those wanting a deeper look.
For parents, educators, and community members, the 2025 Healthy Youth Survey results offer a useful data point but not the full picture. Supporting youth mental health is an ongoing effort that requires sustained attention at the family, school, and community level. Organizations like the Whatcom Family and Community Network provide additional resources and connections for families navigating youth mental health challenges in the region.
The county plans to use the survey results to inform program planning and funding decisions heading into the 2026-27 fiscal year. Officials encourage community members to review the full dataset when it becomes available and to engage with local health and youth-serving organizations about how the findings should shape future investments.
