Everyone was affected when COVID-19 turned the world upside-down, but young people were among the most disrupted with school closures that led to graduations and other rites of passage being cancelled. They had friend groups fracture, family stress increase and first jobs evaporate.
Now, those teenagers are young adults and, perhaps not unexpectedly, mental health challenges among them have surged.
Young Adults Are Struggling
Mental health diagnoses were already increasing as the pandemic hit, though extended lockdowns and social isolation likely pushed rates of anxiety, depression and loneliness even higher among those 18-25 – the age group which historically experiences the highest rates of serious mental illness, including depression, post-traumatic stress disorder and bipolar disorder, of any age group.
Current political tensions and an evolving economic landscape are new stressors. Given the totality of factors, mental health challenges among young adults continue to escalate.
Fortunately, professional intervention to reduce psychological distress is very effective in these years of identity formation and wayfinding. Recent efforts to increase awareness and sensitivity around mental and behavioral health have helped normalized asking for support.
Progress Made, But Barriers Persist
Gen Z is more likely to talk about mental health with friends and professionals than were previous generations, though stigma remains an issue. Especially in high stress environments like on college campuses and in first jobs, pressure to appear resilient coupled with young people’s general fear of judgment can deter some from reaching out for support.
Yet not everyone who seeks care is able to receive it in a timely manner. Current demand to see a mental health professional far exceeds appointment availability.
This confluence of factors has led to calls for urgent investment in capacity building and new resources for this high-risk, high-potential demographic group.
Invest Today for Improved Longterm Outcomes
Expanding access to early support has the potential to curb the mental health crisis and can help prevent more severe conditions later in life. In contrast, inaction opens the door for young adults to experience prolonged struggle that can impact achievement for years to come.
Ensuring that frontline providers are equipped to handle mental health concerns as they arise in the primary care setting is important. These providers are also a critical link to connecting younger adults to the appropriate practitioner for ongoing care is critical.
The case is clear: investing in a more robust mental health system has the potential to change individual and societal outcomes for years to come.
