Six in 10 young American adults with ages ranging from 18 to 24 have symptoms of anxiety or depression attributable to the COVID-19 pandemic, according to disturbing findings from a study by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Findings from the survey conducted from June 24 to 30 show anxiety symptoms were three times as high as those reported in the second quarter of 2019. Rates of depression were four times as high. The study also reveals symptoms of anxiety disorder and depressive disorder rose significantly in the United States from April to June compared to the same period in 2019
The study suggests these outcomes depicting signs of eroding mental health are in reaction to the life-altering and unprecedented personal isolation imposed by COVID-19 on individuals for months on end. Mostly affected by these worrisome mental health challenges are young adults. Rising levels of anxiety, depression, suicidal thoughts and increased substance abuse are also afflicting Whites, Blacks and Latinos of all age.
More specifically, nearly 41% of those involved in the survey reported symptoms of at least one adverse mental health reaction. This reaction includes anxiety and depressive disorder (30.9% of respondents) and symptoms of a trauma- and stressor-related disorder (26.3%). Nearly 11% said they had suicidal thoughts in the month before the survey.
Suicidal thoughts were significantly higher among respondents aged 18 to 24 years (25.5%); Hispanics (18.6%), non-Hispanic Blacks (15.1%), self-reported unpaid caregivers for adults (30.7%), and essential workers (21.7%). Men were more likely to have had suicidal thoughts compared to women.
Researchers said the disturbing results point to an urgent need for wider and more culturally sensitive services for mental health and substance abuse. The online survey completed by some 5,400 people in late June was conducted by Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston and Monash University in Australia.
Sixty-three percent of those surveyed had symptoms of anxiety or depression they attributed to the pandemic, noted Mark Czeisler, a psychology researcher at Monash University. Nearly a fourth had started or increased their substance abuse to cope with their turbulent emotions. These substances include alcohol, marijuana and prescription drugs.
Czeisler said it's ironic young adults who are at lower risk than older adults from contracting COVID-19 "are experiencing worse mental health symptoms."
As to why, this question is still being studied. Czeisler, however, said one reason might be that younger persons are less capable than older ones in coping with and tolerating uncertainty. Young people are also fearful about their future, which the pandemic seems to be ruining.
Conversely, symptoms of anxiety or depression were less pronounced in older adults. This seems to indicate an elderly person's longer life experience is beneficial to helping them cope with the immense mental health challenges imposed by the pandemic.
