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Survey results show encouraging trends for youth wellbeing in Kitsap

  • May 6
  • 2 min read

Newly released Healthy Youth Survey results highlight encouraging mental health and substance use trends for Kitsap County teens.


State agencies administer the Healthy Youth Survey every two years to students in grades 6, 8, 10, and 12. Results from the 2025 survey, released this week, represent anonymous responses from more than 129,000 Washington students, including 6,800 from Kitsap County schools. Data are posted at askhys.net. 

 

Many organizations, such as schools, government agencies, and non-profit organizations, use Healthy Youth Survey results to understand student needs and strengthen resources to promote youth wellbeing and resilience. 

Key Trends


Mental Health  

Most mental health outcomes showed continued improvement, though about one-third of Kitsap students report feeling anxious or depressed. Among Kitsap 10th grade survey participants in 2025: 

  • About 29% reported feeling anxious, down from 38% in 2023.  

  • About 27% reported depressive feelings, down from 36% 2023. 

 

These trends were similar to trends reported by students statewide. 

Hope & Adult Support


Among the positive trends reflected in the 2025 survey was an uptick in youth feeling hopeful. About three-quarters (75%) of Kitsap 10th graders expressed strong feelings of hope, up from 65% in 2023. In this survey, hope is defined as the ability to set and pursue goals. 

 

Survey results reinforce research showing that supportive adults have a strong positive influence on youth health and wellbeing. Students who reported having an adult they can turn to when they are feeling sad or hopeless were less likely to report feeling anxious, engaging in self-harm behaviors, or contemplating or attempting suicide.


In 2025, 64% of Kitsap 10th graders reported having a trusted adult they can turn to, up slightly from 2023.  

Substance Use 

Healthy Youth Survey results gathered since 2021 indicate that youth substance use declined sharply during the COVID-19 pandemic and remains low. Among Kitsap 10th grade survey participants in 2025: 

  • About 6% reported using cannabis in the past 30 days, while 8% reported alcohol use, and 7% reported vaping.  

  • About 1% reported using another type of illegal drug in the past 30 days.  

 

These percentages were similar to statewide rates.  

 

Academic Outcomes 

Academic outcomes affect youth health and wellbeing. Among Kitsap 10th grade survey participants in 2025: 

  • 78% reported trying to do their best work in school “often” or “almost always,” up from 70% in 2023.   

  • 71% reported that the things they learn in school would be “fairly,” “quite,” or “very” important later in life, up from 62% in 2023.   

 

 These trends were similar to trends reported by students statewide. 

Learn More

 

Washington State Health Care Authority, Washington State Department of Health, Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction, and Liquor and Cannabis Board collaborate on the biennial Healthy Youth Survey. Student participation is voluntary and anonymous. Learn more about the survey and view survey data at askhysnet.org. 

 

More heath data for Kitsap County can be found at kitsappublichealth.org/data.  



 

 

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