A new nationwide study shows high school students' mental health declined during the COVID pandemic.
The 2021 Adolescent Behaviors and Experiences survey says 37-percent of high school students reported poor mental health in 2020, up from 33-percent in 2019.
The 2021 youth survey found a similar percentage in Iowa felt the same experience, with almost one in four 11th graders having suicidal thoughts.
Around 5-percent of Iowa 11th graders attempted suicide.
The studies find isolation, fear, and financial problems contributed to the rise in stress.