As students prepare for a new academic year, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is launching a national public health initiative aimed at supporting youth mental health and addressing substance use.
The campaign, titled Free Mind, targets adolescents aged 12 to 17 and provides vital resources for both young people and their parents or caregivers.
The campaign emerges at a critical time. In 2024 alone, drug overdoses claimed the lives of more than 80,000 Americans. Among youths aged 10–19, 75% of overdose deaths between 2020 and 2024 involved illicit fentanyl.
Meanwhile, adolescent mental health continues to decline: a 2023 survey found that 40% of high school students had stopped engaging in regular activities due to persistent sadness or hopelessness, and one in five had seriously considered suicide.
“Teens may use alcohol and other substances to cope with stress, anxiety, and depression,” said Dr. Allison Arwady, Director of CDC’s National Center for Injury Prevention and Control.
“Open conversations about mental health and substance use, along with recognizing when professional support is needed, are essential to helping teens thrive. The Free Mind campaign equips families to start these discussions early—before problems arise.”
The CDC developed Free Mind in direct consultation with teens to ensure the campaign’s messaging, branding, and strategies reflect their experiences and resonate authentically. The initiative addresses the intersection of substance use and mental health, highlights contributing risk factors, and offers strategies to support youth safety and resilience.
In addition to youth-focused content, the CDC has created tailored resources for parents and caregivers to better understand and address the mental health and substance use challenges teens may encounter.
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