About one in six teenagers in the U.S. report moderate to severe anxiety symptoms, according to a study published Monday in JAMA Pediatrics, ABC News and Medical Dialogues reported.

Researchers looked at data on more than 15,000 people aged 12 to 20 from the 2024 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, both outlets reported. ABC News said the study was led by researchers at the University of Connecticut.

About 9.6% of the teens had moderate anxiety symptoms and 7.2% had severe symptoms, Medical Dialogues reported.

Among teens with severe anxiety, nearly two-thirds also had serious depression and nearly half reported thoughts of suicide, both outlets reported. Nearly one-third reported using substances.

Girls were nearly twice as likely as boys to report severe anxiety symptoms, ABC News reported.

Many teens went without help. Medical Dialogues reported that 41.2% of teens with severe symptoms got no mental health treatment in the past year. Male, Black and uninsured teens were the most likely not to seek care, ABC News reported.

This is the first year anxiety questions were part of the national survey. That gives officials a "new national baseline," study author Greg Rhee told ABC News.

"Stigma, a shortage of child mental health professionals, financial and insurance barriers, and limited access to culturally responsive services probably all play a role," Rhee said, according to ABC News. The study itself did not look at the reasons, ABC News reported.

Anyone having thoughts of suicide can call or text 988 at any time for free, private help.

What we know: About one in six U.S. teens report moderate to severe anxiety, and many get no treatment.
What we don't: Why so many teens with anxiety are not getting care.