Declining Mental Health in Younger Generations

“Mental health epidemic” and “national crisis” are terms we’ve all heard one way or another. From seeing it in our own communities to dealing with it ourselves, mental health struggles affect everyone. Becoming increasingly highlighted, there still is no near-future solution for the increasingly worsening state of the mental state of Gen-Z and younger generations. A poll by the CNN/Kaiser Family Foundation corroborated the sentiment, with 90% of Americans agreeing that we are currently in a national mental health crisis.

Source: Children’s Society, 2008. “The Good Childhood Inquiry: health research evidence”

A recent contributor to the phenomenon is the Covid-19 pandemic. Many young teens were forced into isolation in the most important stages of their development; plummeting grades, broken relationships, lack of social interaction, and volatile homes were all exacerbated by the pandemic.

Although we are now well out of the pandemic, its shockwaves continue to resound through our populations. From our analysis, I attribute the declining mental health of younger generations within the U.S. to loneliness brought on by the pandemic and the current social unrest within the world.

The Age of Social Media

Source: Julie Bang, Investopedia

We’ve already established the pandemic as a major contributor to the ever-present decline. Taking a closer look, the pandemic, aside from having a major impact on the education of many teens, also skyrocketed social media usage in the country. Social media sites such as Snapchat, Instagram, Discord, and Messenger saw a huge boost in usage (list percentage) at the start of 2022. COVID-19 restrictions led to a boom in the gaming industry. Although these examples should logically serve as a connector for large groups of people and communities, they more often than not increase the separation. Social media is a great way to make new friends and find communities of interest; however, it’s also a place where many become stuck in an echo chamber of loneliness and self-hatred. As much as social media connects, it simply can't replicate the experience of real life interaction.

A talking point brought up by the Social Media Victims Law Center (SMVLC) on how social media creates loneliness is how it functions as a replacement for social interaction instead of an extension. An often highlighted talking point is that social media draws users in, causing them to ignore the world around them. Over time, this highly intimate and overly dependent dependence on these sites leads to psychological harm. The SMVLC states that social media leads to “isolation and a lack of face-to-face contact through social media use... When kids don’t interact in person, they can fail to develop empathy and feelings of deep connection, which makes them feel even more isolated.” Aside from stunted social skills, young adults and kids who have an unhealthy relationship with social media may also neglect their studies. As many people can relate, increased social media usage raises counterproductiveness and self-care. As an individual’s online activity increases, they often begin performing sub-par in not only their interpersonal life but also their educational one. Falling grades not only contribute to feelings of inadequacy but are also a direct route to depression and self-loathing. 

With so many bad consequences, it may seem wise to avoid social media like the plague. However, there are healthy coping mechanisms for remaining online without being harmed by it. Michael Torres, a clinical psychologist at Kaiser Permanente Mental Health and Wellness Center, discusses reducing one's attachment to social media. One good method is to use social media for inspiration. Instead of following people you might wish to meet in person, Dr. Torres suggests following organizations that inspire you. Creating a good place and consistently commenting on other people's postings regulates your mindset while also developing a sense of mutual connection. Finally, while difficult, carefully restricting social media usage gives the greatest benefit.

Outside Factors and Instability

One factor in the mental health crisis is a feeling of danger and insecurity in the world. We’ve all heard of inflation and the looming threat of a national recession. Young people hear about the country’s current economic situation and see the struggles their parents face on a day-to-day basis at the grocery store and in making everyday purchases. However, they cannot alleviate that struggle and aren’t even in the scope of the "economy." Teens feel powerless when they hear about conflict and suffering, feeding into their feelings of self-loathing. They are in a position where you are not oblivious but irrelevant to the conversation. Literary review records by BMC Public Health found evidence that “economic recessions and mediators such as unemployment, income decline, and unmanageable debts are significantly associated with poor mental wellbeing, increased rates of common mental disorders, substance-related disorders, and suicidal behaviors." 

Although most young adults do not accumulate unsustainable debts or become unemployed, their parents' troubles have a direct impact on them. Economic recessions are frequently associated with an increase in stress disorders, mental illness, suicides, and substance misuse within a society. From the pandemic to our underperforming economy, the United States is preparing to face a generation of suffering teenagers with an increased risk of mental problems.

Source: Getty Images

As we reflect on the tough situation we have created, treating the younger generation's poor mental health represents a step forward from the previous decade of ignorance and denial. Recognizing the obvious struggles of young adults in the United States has already increased the number of people pursuing mental health education. We've already seen schools allocate more resources to wellness and counseling. Although it may appear to be an overly optimistic perspective, our society can alleviate the pressures placed on young people. Focusing on connection and relationships in youth helps to combat the loneliness pandemic while also fostering a community in which no one feels irrelevant.