By Amber Roman
01 Dec 2023, 17:18 PM EST
A new study from the University of Sydney reveals that young adults born in the 1990s, known as “90s babies,” They face a growing mental health crisis as they approach middle age.
Unlike previous generations, this group does not show improvements in their psychological well-being over time, raising significant concerns about millennials’ mental health.
Research published in Nature tracked the mental health of nearly 30,000 adults between 2001 and 2020, highlighting that deterioration was particularly evident in those born in the 1990s, with signs of a less pronounced decline in those born in the 1980s. This suggests that millennials are playing a crucial role in the overall trend of declining mental health in the population.
Study lead author Richard Morris, senior researcher at the University of Sydney Centre, said: “To date, much of the focus has been on the deteriorating mental health of school-age children and adolescents. But this study shows that this pattern is changing and that we should not only worry about children.”
The United States also faces similar challenges in terms of mental health. According to a report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nearly 1 in 5 adults in the U.S. have been diagnosed with depression at some point in their lives, with it being most prevalent among those ages 18 to 24. years.
Lifetime rates of depression in the United States have increased from 19.6% in 2015 to 29% this year, according to a Gallup poll. This highlights the urgency of addressing the mental health of young adults, as decline appears to persist as they age.
What is behind this worrying decline in the mental health of millennials?
The answer remains elusive, according to psychiatrist and researcher Nick Glozier of the University of Sydney. However, various possibilities are being considered, such as pandemic-related school closures, loss of jobs and income, and remote work.
Furthermore, other studies suggest that factors such as the growth of social media, decreased physical activity, poor sleep habits and climate change could contribute to this phenomenon. Researchers emphasize the importance of understanding the context and social changes that differentially affect young people to effectively address this worrying trend.
The Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) also notes that about 50% of people ages 18 to 24 reported experiencing anxiety or depressive symptoms this year, compared to about a third of adults overall.
“Understand the context and changes in society that have affected young people differently.” “can contribute to efforts to improve this trend and prevent it from continuing in emerging cohorts”conclude the authors of the study from the University of Sydney.
With evidence mounting, mental health experts urge more decisive action to address the underlying factors contributing to mental health decline in millennials and work towards effective solutions that reverse this worrying trend. Society as a whole faces an urgent challenge of caring for the mental health of the generation that is about to enter middle age.
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