local
Texas ranks #19 for youth mental health. Here's what parents need to know.
By Stacker at KVIA ABC-7
· July 15, 2026
· 4 min read
SeventyFour // Shutterstock
According to Mental Health America’s (MHA) 2025 State of Mental Health in America report, Texas places #19 out of 51 for youth mental health, measured across prevalence of mental illness and access to care among young people ages 12 to 17.
For parents in Te...
Key takeaway For parents in Texas, LifeStance Health says the ranking reflects something they’ve already been paying attention to at home.
Why this matters in The El Paso
In El Paso , the ranking of Texas as 19th in the nation for youth mental health takes on a particular significance given the community's unique cultural and socioeconomic context. The pressures of social media, which can contribute to anxiety and depression, are likely compounded by the border city's distinct challenges, such as the stress of living in a region with a high cost of living and limited access to resources. Furthermore, the stigma surrounding mental health issues may be particularly pronounced in El Paso's close-knit communities, where concerns about what others think can be a powerful deterrent to seeking help. As local parents, educators, and healthcare providers work to support teenagers navigating these challenges, they must also contend with the reality that many adolescents in the area may not have access to preventive care, exacerbating the risk of unaddressed mental health issues.
About this story
Original reporting by KVIA ABC-7 . The El Paso surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KVIA ABC-7 . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 15, 2026 ·
Source: KVIA ABC-7 ·
Reading time: 4 min
Get more The El Paso stories like this
Free weekly briefing covering local and other local news. Curated by our editorial team. No spam.
By subscribing you agree to our privacy policy . Unsubscribe anytime.
Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? SeventyFour // Shutterstock
According to Mental Health America’s (MHA) 2025 State of Mental Health in America report, Texas places #19 out of 51 for youth mental health, measured across prevalence of mental illness and access to care among young people ages 12 to 17.
For parents in Te...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 15, 2026 by KVIA ABC-7 and curated for The El Paso readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Stacker at KVIA ABC-7. To learn more about how The El Paso selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The El Paso, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
← Back to all news
More local →
Today’s briefing
Subscribe to newsletter