Mental Health in Young Adults

What is Mental Health?

In recent years, mental health has become both a growing concern and a topic of increasing awareness. The CDC defines mental health as a person's emotional, psychological, and even social well-being. Many individuals worldwide unfortunately suffer from some form of mental illness, and the numbers are only beginning to worsen.

Mental Health in Young Adults

According to a 2021 report by Mental Health America, or MHA, mental health among adolescents and young adults is worsening. They found that 9.7% of youth in the United States suffer from depression, compared to the previous year's rate of 9.2%. The report also shows that, even before the COVID-19 pandemic began, 19% of adults in the U.S. were suffering from a mental illness. This means an increase of approximately 1.5 million people. Even more concerning, the number of adults experiencing thoughts of suicide has increased 0.15% from the years 2016-2017 to 2018-2019, or about 460,000. The CDC itself has also found that mental illness is one of the most common health issues in the U.S. According to them, a staggering 1 out of 5 people will experience a mental illness in any given year. What is causing this increase in mental health issues? Why are these rates increasing year after year?

Sadly, there are many causes for mental health issues. One study by the International Journal of Psychiatry found that, regardless of the participants' diagnosis, painful life experiences caused by others or any external force were the leading cause of the mental illness. In addition, an article by the American Psychological Association states that psychological issues, depression, and suicidal thoughts have worsened for young adults in the late-2010s compared to early 2000s. Interestingly, this trend was weakened at the age of 26 and up. Why is this? Worryingly, the main cause of this phenomenon is the use of digital media, particularly among young adults and teens. With all these factors possibly leading to mental disorders in people as young as 12, what can possibly be done to reduce their negative effects?

What Can Be Done?

There is no easy or instant solution to an issue as wide spread as mental illness. Fortunately, there are many different ways one can improve their own mental health. An article by MHA lists up to 31 ways mental health can be improved, ranging from working on personal strengths, expressing love or gratitude towards someone in your life, taking time to relax, and so on. Seeking professional help from a therapist, counselor, or psychiatrist is also a viable option. It all depends on each individual's situation and needs, so find something that you genuinely enjoy and gives you a peace of mind. As someone who has friends and family that have dealt with or are currently dealing with mental health issues, I encourage anyone reading this to seek support if ever needed. I've nearly lost loved ones due to this problem and I could not be more grateful that they managed to recover. Having the right mindset when suffering through psychological problems as well as having people that will help you can definitely make a positive impact. Your mental health is just as important as your physical health, and you have people that care for you.

Find Help

LA Department of Mental Health Hotline: (800) 854-7771

    (Available 24/7)

The National Alliance on Mental Illness: 1-800-950-6264

    (Monday - Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. EST.)

National Suicide Prevention Hotline: 1-800-273-8255

    (Available 24/7; offers live chat)

Works Cited

1. 31 Tips to Boost Your Mental Health. Mental Health America. (n.d.). Retrieved October 12, 2021, from https://www.mhanational.org/31-tips-boost-your-mental-health.

2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021, June 28). About Mental Health. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved October 6, 2021, from https://www.cdc.gov/mentalhealth/learn/index.htm.

3. Elliott, M., Maitoza, R., & Schwinger, E. (2011). Subjective accounts of the causes of mental illness in the USA. International Journal of Social Psychiatry, 58(6), 562–567. https://doi.org/10.1177/0020764011415207

4. Mental Health Issues Increased Significantly in Young Adults Over Last Decade. American Psychological Association. (2019, March 14). Retrieved October 10, 2021, from https://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/2019/03/mental-health-adults.

5. The State of Mental Health in America. Mental Health America. (n.d.). Retrieved October 5, 2021, from https://www.mhanational.org/issues/state-mental-health-america.