Drinking, vaping and serious consideration of suicide decreased across Rhode Island middle and high school students this year, compared to the same period in 2024, according to the 2026 Rhode Island Student Survey.
Released Oct. 28, the biennial survey is conducted by the R.I. Department of Behavioral Healthcare, Developmental Disabilities and Hospitals, the R.I. Department of Health and the R.I. Department of Education.
The survey reported general improvements in mental health and wellbeing among students, with less consideration of suicide and feelings of “sadness” or “hopeless.” Additionally, less students reported experiencing or perpetrating bullying.
Still, around a third of middle and high school students reported dealing with mental health issues over the past year, and only about a third of those struggling have spoken with a school counselor.
“Student mental health remains a concern. We know that anxiety, depression and stress affect a student’s well-being, attendance and academic success,” RIDE spokesperson Victor Morente wrote in an email to The Herald.
The survey found that, among middle schoolers who had ever considered suicide, a higher rate had attempted compared to 2024. About 8% of high schoolers and 11% of middle schoolers reported considering suicide. Nearly half of the middle schoolers who have considered suicide report having attempted.
RIDE is taking this increase “very seriously,” Morente wrote. He added that “the findings also reinforce the importance of closely monitoring middle school mental health trends.”
Over 16,000 middle and high school students across 24 school districts were surveyed for the report. Compared to 2024, the survey received about 6,000 fewer student responses and had five fewer participating school districts.
“Overall, the findings are very encouraging,” Morente wrote. He added that these results are “particularly meaningful” in Providence because many students are socioeconomically disadvantaged or have faced educational hurdles.
Providence Public School District spokesperson Alex Torres-Perez wrote in an email to The Herald that while she is aware of the 2026 RISS results, she does not have data to show if statewide figures mirror trends in the PPSD.
The survey also showed a moderate decline in average cell phone usage compared to 2024. Still, most students reported spending an average of one to five hours on their phones.
These findings come following a statewide school phone ban that went into effect this August. According to Torres-Perez, students have been compliant with the ban, and “teachers and staff have even noticed improvements in classroom engagement and student interaction.”
Morente told The Herald that RIDE, BHDDH and RIDOH are using this data to plan and assess prevention services.
Morente noted there could be some connection between the findings and the implementation of RIDE programs over the past several years, such as expanded mental health support in schools, stronger substance use prevention efforts and increased focus on social-emotional learning. The mental health programs were supported by a nearly $60 million federal grant.
“It is important not to claim direct causation, but several statewide efforts align with the positive trends reflected in the report,” he said.
At a press conference, BHDDH director Richard Leclerc said that the department will continue to invest in efforts that “maintain the positive trends” and “correct the trends that may not be going in the right direction.”
“PPSD remains committed to the safety and well-being of all students. We continually review our practices and look for opportunities to improve how we support students and create safe, positive learning environments across our schools,” Torres-Perez wrote.
