More than 39,000 pupils took part in Fairfax County’s latest youth survey, which found lower levels of persistent sadness, stronger physical activity rates and widespread access to trusted adults.
Fairfax County Public Schools says the latest youth survey points to a brighter picture for many students, with more than 39,000 pupils in grades six, eight, 10 and 12 taking part in the anonymous, voluntary questionnaire. The annual survey, run with Fairfax County government, is designed to track behaviour, experiences and health trends so local leaders can shape prevention efforts and support programmes. According to Fairfax County officials, this year’s results suggest that many young people are feeling safer, more connected and more resilient than they were several years ago.
Mental health was one of the clearest areas of improvement. Fairfax County said indicators for students in grades eight, 10 and 12 have improved markedly since 2021, with lower reports of stress, sadness, hopelessness and suicidal thoughts or attempts. The share of students reporting persistent sadness and hopelessness fell to 18% in 2025, down 20 percentage points from 2021. Among sixth-graders, 26% reported those feelings, a seven-point decline over the same period. The county also said most students reported no substance use in the previous month, and that local rates for alcohol, cannabis, cigarettes, hookah and vaping were lower than national figures in most cases.
The survey also suggests that more students are building healthier routines. About 45% of students in grades eight, 10 and 12, and 51% of sixth-graders, said they were physically active for at least an hour a day on five or more days in the week before the survey. Fairfax County said those were the strongest rates since 2018. At the same time, screen-time habits remain a concern: 25% of sixth-graders and 37% of older students said they spent three or more hours a day on social media on a typical school day, while 20% of sixth-graders and 14% of students in grades eight, 10 and 12 said the same about video or computer games. Fairfax County added that seven in 10 respondents use social media to connect online, and two in five are unsure whether information they see online is genuine.
Perhaps the most encouraging finding is the strength of support networks around students. Fairfax County said 85% of older students reported having adults in their community they can talk to, 80% said they have a trusted adult at school and 89% said they can ask a parent, caregiver or other family adult for help. The county’s “Three to Succeed” framework says students with at least three positive protective factors are more likely to manage stress, make better decisions and develop healthy habits. That message sits at the centre of this year’s results: when young people feel supported at home, in school and in the wider community, their chances of thriving improve.
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
