Earlier in August, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced the launch of Free Mind, a new national campaign that provides youth aged 12-17 years and their parents and caregivers with “resources and information about substance use, mental health, and the connection between the two.”

According to the CDC, in 2024, more than 80,000 Americans died from a drug overdose. In addition, from 2020 to 2024, 75% of overdose deaths among youth aged 10–19 years involved illegally produced fentanyl. Moreover, the number of U.S. teens reporting poor mental health has increased in the past decade. Specifically, in 2023, 40% of U.S. high school students reported stopping regular activities because of persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness, and one in five students reported seriously considering attempting suicide.

“Teens may use alcohol and other substances to help them cope with stress, anxiety, and depression,” said Dr. Allison Arwady, Director of the CDC National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, in an interview. “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.”

“When you deal with lots of emotions, you might be tempted to turn to drugs and alcohol or cope by misusing medications that are not prescribed to you,” reads the campaign website. Moreover, according to the agency, it spoke with teens about their perceptions surrounding substance use in order to develop the messaging and branding for the new campaign. The new initiative “seeks to resonate with this age group by addressing the connections between substance use and mental health, risk factors that contribute to drug use, and strategies to keep them safe,” according to the press release.