The CDC’s new campaign aims to resolve the ongoing drug overdose crisis in America.
Stock.adobe.com

More than 80,000 Americans died from drug overdoses in 2024. Younger demographics have seen the worst effects of this along with mental health concerns, poor mental health reports amongst teens and adolescents are rising over the nation and highlighting the two largest concerns surrounding the youth population.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) launched a new national campaign “Free Mind.” This campaign aims to provide young adults aged 12-17 and their parents & caregivers with the resources and educational information surrounding mental health, and substance abuse issues.

Evolving crisis 

Young Americans are facing one of the most lethal drug epidemics in recent memory, with the main culprit being illegally produced fentanyl. An estimated 75% of reported drug overdoses from 2020 to 2024 were directly linked to the illegally manufactured drug. Overdose casualties are not the only concern amongst today’s youth as mental health problems are on the rise, with reports of day-to-day lifestyle impacts on teens. The beginning of this mental health dilemma traces back to 2023, were data shows that 40% of high school students suddenly ceased their standard daily routines, citing feelings of depression and despair. These negative mindsets affect young adults in a variety of ways, but the most concerning is self-harm.

Being in a negative mindset can led to poor and sometimes dangerous decisions, especially in adolescents suffering from poor mental health. Recent data suggests that one in five high school students will have a serious attempt of suicide, showing the deadly turn untreated mental health can take. The correlation between drug overdose and mental health in the youth community have started to blend, with both issues adversely affecting one another.

Dr. Allison Arwady, director of the CDC national center for injury prevention and control touched on the effects of substance abuse and bad mental health on young adults, saying, "Teens may use alcohol and other substances to cope with stress, anxiety, and depression. Talking openly about mental health and substance use, and knowing when to get professional help, is critical to helping teens stay healthy. That's why this campaign supports youth, parents, and caregivers in having those conversations early, before an issue arises."¹

Giving back to the future

To assist in establishing its new campaign, the CDC reached out to youth groups regarding the community’s knowledge around substance abuse, aiming to use this to produce branding and messages that resonate with younger audiences. Free Mind will provide educational support covering the connection between bad mental health and drug abuse, while also touching on associated risk factors of substance abuse, and strategies for young adults to provide protection from drug use. The new campaign will also offer parents and caregivers the resources to assist and inform their child on the importance of mental health and staying safe from drug abuse.

Sources

1. CDC Launches New Campaign to Address Youth Substance Use and Mental Health The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention August 7, 2025 https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/cdc-launches-new-campaign-to-address-youth-substance-use-and-mental-health-302524817.html