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BACKGROUND The Pennsylvania Youth Survey (PAYS) is administered biennially to adolescents; it covers knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors about risk and protective factors. PURPOSE This study explored 8th, 10th, and 12th grade students' attitudes and beliefs about current trends regarding drugs, alcohol, and mental health. METHODS We asked persons a series of questions in semi‐structured focus groups (102 participants) while they were being presented with the PAYS data. RESULTS Participants expressed significant insight on root causes of risk behaviors. They recommended a decreased emphasis on grades and class rank, and recommended addressing mental health stigma, educating about vaping and marijuana effects, and obtaining support from families, schools, and communities. CONCLUSION Youth expressed interest in being an integral part of the planning and decision‐making efforts that impact them. Our results support the Whole School, Community, and Child (WSCC) model.