The number of young men and women suffering from depression and other mental health disorders in the United States has skyrocketed since the start of the coronavirus pandemic, according to a series of reports.
The latest annual World Happiness Report, produced by the Center for Wellbeing Research at the University of Oxford in the UK, reveals that the level of happiness among people under 30 has fallen dramatically in recent years. The unhappiness was particularly pronounced in the United States, which dropped out of the index’s list of 20 happiest countries for the first time since it was first published in 2012.
This year’s report, released last week, is the first to break down respondents by age, but it is only the latest to show that young people are suffering disproportionately from mental distress.
What does the report show?
Overall, it has been reported that young people’s mental health has declined sharply since the outbreak of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic in March 2020, and the impact continues to be felt among young people. It’s taking a toll on mental health.
The nonprofit organization Mental Health America’s 2023 Mental Health Report found that 67 percent of high school students found schoolwork more difficult during the pandemic, and 55 percent experienced emotional abuse at home during the lockdown. It cites statistics from the CDC showing that. Additionally, 11% had experienced physical abuse and 24% said they did not have enough food.
Additionally, the U.S. Census Bureau’s Household Pulse Survey of adults in 2020 and 2022 found higher levels of anxiety and depression among young adults following the surge in COVID-19 cases. was.
Pew Research surveyed the general population from the beginning of the pandemic in 2020 through September 2022 and found that 58 percent of Americans ages 18 to 29 experience high levels of psychological distress. This was the highest of any age group.
More recently, the February 2024 State of Student Mental Health Report by publishing and research group Wiley found that 80 percent of 2,500 college students surveyed in the U.S. and Canada reported experiencing some level of mental health as a result of the pandemic. It was found that many respondents reported experiencing pain. Anxiety, psychological “burnout” and depression are the most commonly cited symptoms.
What mental health disorders do young people suffer from?
Admiral Rachel Levine, assistant secretary for health at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), said in a recent interview: We look at eating disorders, drug use risks and the full range of mental health issues young people face. ”
Common mental disorders among young people include depression, anxiety disorders, eating disorders such as bulimia nervosa and anorexia nervosa, body dysmorphic disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and substance abuse. It is included.
Depression is the most commonly cited symptom among young people. According to a Gallup poll conducted in February 2023 across all 50 U.S. states, young people between the ages of 18 and 29 are more likely to be diagnosed with depression than those over 44.
Why do so many young people in the United States suffer from mental distress?
Although there are many contributing factors, the factors most commonly cited by young people suffering from mental distress include:
economic anxiety
College tuition and general living costs weigh heavily on young people’s minds. In a 2022 Harvard University study, [PDF] In a survey of more than 1,800 people aged 18 to 25, more than half (56%) of respondents said financial worries were having a negative impact on their mental health.
Similarly, nearly half of students in the Wiley survey cited tuition (50 percent) and cost of living (49 percent) as their biggest challenges.
The financial burden of studying at a university has steadily increased over the past several decades. According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), the cost of attending college increased by 136 percent between the 1979-1980 and 2021-2022 school years, even after accounting for inflation. This essentially means that the cost of attending college is now more than double what it was for him 40 years ago. The biggest cost increase is tuition, which has increased by 170% over the past 40 years.
loneliness
Respondents to the Wiley survey also mentioned feelings of isolation and loneliness. A Harvard University study found that 44 percent of young people reported feeling like they “don’t matter” and 34 percent reported feeling “alone.”
A 2023 Gallup poll found that while overall loneliness has decreased since the beginning of 2021, young people and people from low-income households are more likely to feel lonely than other age groups.
Some experts believe this is because the increased use of social media is causing “virtual isolation”, or social isolation due to the use of mobile devices.
In May 2023, U.S. Surgeon General Vivek H. Murthy released a report on the impact of social media on mental health, stating: It is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease, dementia, stroke, depression, anxiety, and premature death. ”
“Loneliness is the subjective feeling of lacking necessary social connections. Feeling left out, abandoned, or cut off from those to whom one belongs, even when surrounded by others. “When you’re lonely, what you’re missing is the intimacy, trust, and love of true friends, loved ones, and community,” Dr. Murthy wrote in her 2020 book Together: Why Social Connection Holds. The Key to Better Health, Higher”. performance, and greater happiness.
social issues
A 2022 Harvard University survey found that 42% of respondents reported that gun violence in schools is negatively impacting their mental health, 34% were concerned about climate change, and 30% were concerned about political leaders. expressed concern about corruption.
According to a 2018 survey conducted by the American Psychological Association’s Harris Poll, 75% of 15- to 21-year-olds said mass shootings were a significant source of stress.
How can we resolve this crisis?
Significant challenges remain in addressing mental distress among young people, especially in the United States.
Jean-Emmanuel de Neve, director of the Wellbeing Research Center and editor of the World Happiness Report, said: “In some parts of the world, children are already experiencing what amounts to a midlife crisis. “Given what we are experiencing, urgent policy measures are needed.”
Experts say the way forward is to help young people develop better relationships, give them a sense of purpose and foster a healthy environment in which they can achieve their future goals.
Campaigners say it is clear that the mental plight of so many young people requires a more concerted and serious response from governments, colleges, workplaces and many other institutions. It means that there is.
