Columbia University Irving Medical Center
Anne Marie Albano
Stoney Brook School of Social Welfare
Melissa Bessach
University of California, Berkeley
Adrian Aguilera.
Anxiety and depression have been on the rise among young adults even before the pandemic, isolating teens, teens and twenties at a critical time in their social development.
Experts recently debated what researchers called the “loneliest generation.”
“You withdraw or avoid things, which means everyday life situations that are otherwise part of your role in life and part of the world. not.
Anxiety disorders start early and affect up to 9% of preschool children. 15% of her teens have an anxiety disorder, panic disorder, or phobia.
“These conditions start early and continue if left untreated. Anxiety is one of the most frequently untreated conditions,” says Albano.
Nearly a quarter of people in their 20s are diagnosed with anxiety, and major depression is on the rise, especially among women.
Factors include cyberbullying, anti-immigrant and anti-LGBTQ rhetoric, and uncertainty about the future.
“LGBTQ youth are trying to access more information about mental health. Adrian Aguilera said. “So there is some demand. Again, it speaks to the need to develop services and resources for these people and all the different things they struggle with.”
Cost, limited access and stigma are barriers to seeking treatment, said Melissa Bessach of the Department of Social Work at the State University of New York at Stony Brook.
“These rates have been made even more pronounced by the pandemic. While utilization of mental health services among young adults is already low, it is even higher among those from low-income backgrounds of minorities, racial and ethnic groups. Low,” she said.
Mental health disorders can cause problems at any age, but those occurring during these formative years are especially preserved.
“The effects of stress and mental illness include higher rates of depression, anxiety, and even adolescent loneliness, as well as critical developmental outcomes such as identity formation, relationships, schoolwork, pursuit of higher education, and professional achievement. It can really confuse the milestones of ,” Bessach said.
Experts advise teens to listen, value proposed solutions, and recognize that they face different challenges than previous generations.
If you or someone you know may have suicidal thoughts, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 (English: 1-888-628-9454; Deaf: 1-800-799-4889). ) or send 741741 to the crisis text line.
