Young people are experiencing mental health problems at a higher rate than ever before. This includes increased psychiatric emergency room visits, higher reports of suicidal thoughts and the single largest increase in drug overdoses in 20 years.
These experiences can disrupt age-appropriate milestones, harming lifelong health and well-being. Employers can take action by incorporating telehealth solutions and making mental health equal to physical healthcare in benefits packages.
Adolescents
Adolescence is a time of rapid change that can be emotionally challenging. Poor mental health during adolescence can impact many areas of life, including family relationships, school performance, friends and health behaviors like substance abuse and high-risk sexual activity.
In the years leading up to the Covid-19 pandemic, feelings of persistent sadness and hopelessness among adolescents—and suicidal thoughts and behaviors—increased significantly. These concerns impacted all teens, but were more common for female students, LGBTQ+ students and students who are from marginalized groups, such as those experiencing racism.
Psychology researchers are exploring ways to help teens with these challenges. They’re developing and disseminating solutions for families, schools and the community. They’re also working to destigmatize the need for mental health care and advising health professionals on new recommendations, such as those from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, that include regular anxiety screenings for youth ages 8-18. They’re even developing new tools to provide remote crisis support for adolescents in need.
Young Adults
The transition from late youth into early adulthood can be daunting. It requires establishing a distinct identity, building healthy relationships, and developing a clear direction for the future. For many young adults, it can also lead to a critical period of uncertainty and soul-searching known as the quarter life crisis.
These young adults may be living with their parents, struggling to find employment or a place to live, and feeling paralyzed by decisions that previous generations were able to navigate more quickly. They may be turning to substance use or unhealthy relationships as a way of self-mediating stress and depression.
Over time, several social determinants of mental health have shown increasing trends among this group, including unstable housing and economic instability, identity explorations, bullying victimization, and low-wellbeing. Providing these young adults with stable homes and neighborhoods, ensuring access to affordable education and job training, and expanding social and emotional learning programs can help them develop the skills they need to thrive.
Older Adults
Some older adults have heightened vulnerability to mental health issues. Loneliness, social isolation and age-related diseases increase the risk of depression or anxiety disorders. Older adults are also at higher risk of abuse, including by family members. WHO works with partners on strategies, programmes and tools to support governments respond to the needs of older adults experiencing mental disorders.
Youth MOVE National is a youth and young adult led organization promoting youth voice, engagement and empowerment in the mental health, juvenile justice and child welfare systems. NYFSC has worked with the group in the past.
A 2024 survey found that high school students are increasingly concerned about their mental health. The report found that many felt persistently sad or hopeless and some considered suicide seriously. The survey cited specific groups that were particularly vulnerable, including girls, Hispanic students and those who are bullied or identified as LGBTQ. Many of these students are unable to access treatment services.
Family Members
People in crisis experience a sense of fear, helplessness and vulnerability. This may be triggered by events such as the death of family members, loss of employment, domestic violence, substance abuse and environmental disasters. The stress of these situations is compounded by a lack of support and resources.
During a mental health crisis, a person’s thoughts and emotions become disorganized, which can cause them to behave irrationally. They may be unable to think clearly, dwell on meaningless activities, express hostility or feel numbness.
A therapist can help them navigate the crisis with supportive interventions such as active listening and problem-solving. They can also offer referrals and advocacy to community resources for additional support. This provides the family with an opportunity to establish a strong, stable support system and develop healthy coping skills. The result is improved family relationships and overall emotional well-being.