The recent pandemic has contributed to a spike in stress levels and mental illness, most notably anxiety and depression, leading to what many experts are calling a mental health crisis.
During the pandemic, many people experienced interruptions in schooling, job loss, social isolation, grief, health scares, and the stress of uncertainty, all of which impact mental health.
Unfortunately, teenagers and young adults seem to have been the age group most affected by the pandemic when it comes to mental health.
While depression among young people was considered a prevalent health issue even before the pandemic (with a whopping 21% of people between the ages of 18 and 29 reporting symptoms of depression), it is clear that the pandemic has exacerbated these symptoms.
According to a 2023 study conducted by Northwestern University, young adults have not recovered from the mental health effects of the pandemic at the same rate as the rest of the American population.
So, what can we do about this?
The first step is to gain an understanding of depression and just how common it is so that we can collectively decrease the mental health stigma and take steps toward preventing and treating depression among young adults.
What is Depression?
Depression, also known as major depressive disorder, is a prevalent and serious mood-based mental illness that affects how one feels, thinks, and behaves.
It is one of the many mental health conditions that can have a significant impact on social interactions, academics, work, and other important areas of functioning in life.
To be diagnosed with depression, symptoms must persist consistently for a period of two weeks or longer.
What Are Common Depression Symptoms?
People with depression may experience a range of emotional and physical symptoms that can diminish their ability to perform daily tasks at school, work, and home.
Emotional & Mental Symptoms of Depression:
- Persistent feelings of sadness or an “empty” mood
- Irritability
- Fatigue or restlessness
- Lack of motivation or interest in previously enjoyable activities
- Changes in sleeping or eating patterns
- Low self-esteem
- Feelings of worthlessness, guilt, or helplessness
- Hopelessness or pessimism
- Difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making decisions
- Substance abuse
- Self-harm
- Suicidal thoughts or actions
Physical Symptoms of Depression:
- Weakened immune system
- Fatigue or difficulty sleeping
- Digestive issues
- High blood pressure
- Heart disease
- Diabetes
- Inflammation
- Worsening of chronic conditions
- Aches or pains, headaches, cramps, or digestive problems without a clear physical cause
Depression vs. Sadness: What’s the Difference?
Understanding the difference between depression and situational sadness is crucial, especially for young adults and their parents. Feeling sad after a painful event, like a breakup or loss, is a normal emotional response and doesn’t necessarily mean you’re depressed.
Sadness is a temporary emotion that, while sometimes overwhelming, usually includes or is followed by moments of happiness and comfort.
Depression, on the other hand, is a pervasive mental illness that affects many aspects of life far more deeply than temporary sadness. Its symptoms can significantly impact relationships, school, work, and daily activities.
For young adults, this distinction is particularly important. As young adults navigate the beginnings of their careers, relationships, and independence, depression can present major challenges.
Recognizing the signs of depression and seeking treatment is vital. If you or a loved one is struggling with depression, reaching out for professional help is an important step toward recovery.
Leading Causes & Contributors to Depression in Young Adults
Young adults report experiencing higher rates of depression than any other age group.
In 2023, a study published by Harvard University’s Graduate School of Education titled Mental Health Challenges of Young Adults Illuminated in New Report found that young adults report anxiety and depression at twice the rate of teenagers. This highlights the urgent need for greater attention and resources for their mental health.
Those within the young adult age group (between 18 and 25) are particularly affected by the ongoing mental health crisis, which has been exacerbated by factors such as pandemic-related disruptions and limited access to treatment.
The elevated frequency of depression diagnoses among young adults may be due, in part, to the increasingly widespread awareness of mental health disorders and recognition of the need for proper treatment. However, there are many other internal and external contributing factors in the lives of young adults which may contribute to the high rates of depression for this age group.
External Contributing Risk Factors in Young People
Common external contributing risk factors for depression in young adults include, but are not limited to:
- Academic & Career Pressure: The stress and pressure placed on school, college, and future career plans for young adults is enormous. Many people entering adulthood are just beginning to discover themselves and look at future career paths, much less know exactly where they’re going. The pressure and expectations to figure out your career and succeed can be very overwhelming and challenging for many young adults.
- The Challenges of Adulthood: Adulthood comes with many new and different challenges than adolescence. Financial stresses, moving cities, new jobs, and relationship changes are all quite common in young adulthood and can contribute to mental health struggles and other mental health problems.
- Social Stressors & Peer Pressure: Growing into adulthood may change the way your social life looks as compared to adolescence. This can be a challenging transition and for many, it may be difficult to maintain and find new relationships after high school or college.
- Break-ups & Relationship Difficulties: As we grow older, our relationships tend to change and shift. Sometimes this can include break-ups with a partner, family difficulties, or changing friendships. This can be a challenging transition for many and can lead to a period of depression.
- Social Media: Adolescents and young adults engage in social media more than any other age group. While there are some positives when it comes to social media usage, there are many harms of social media that tend to outweigh the benefits. This often includes an unhealthy comparison to others, unrealistic views of others’ lives, inadequacy over appearance or life, feelings of isolation, cyberbullying, self-absorption, and feelings of anxiety or depression related to tech use.
- Trauma: The death of a loved one, abuse, conflict, major life events, natural disasters, and more are all examples of potentially traumatic events that can increase the risk of developing depression.
Internal Contributing Risk Factors in Young People
Common internal risk factors for depression in young adults include:
- Genetics: A family history of depression increases your risk for developing depression. If a family member has experienced depression, it may indicate a genetic predisposition.
- Chemical or Hormonal Imbalances: Imbalance in brain chemicals or hormones may cause mood disorders such as depression.
- Nutrition Deficit: Poor diet and lack of proper nutrients can lead to fatigue, poor brain health, and depression.
- Gender: Women are more likely to suffer from depression than men.
Ways to Prevent & Treat Depression in Young Adults
To address these challenges, we as a society must work together to improve access to mental health services for young adults. Integrating mental health care into primary care settings can help reduce barriers to seeking treatment and allow for a smoother transition from pediatric to adult mental health care services.
It is important to know that there is no “one-size-fits-all” approach for treating mental health conditions like depression, but many proven and effective methods for mental health care can help improve the lives of many.
7 Ways to Prevent or Improve Young Adult Depression:
- Exercise regularly. Regular exercise helps to release natural endorphins into our bodies which make us feel good and are often in a shortage when we are experiencing depression. Mild to moderate exercise 30 minutes a day helps to boost endorphin levels and lower stress levels.
- Build social connections. Spending time with family, friends and loved ones is essential to our mental health. Making new friends and connecting with people helps to improve our social and mental well-being.
- Eat a balanced, whole-foods diet. A poor diet contributes to inflammation in the body and brain, which can lead to chronic physical and mental illness. Eating a healthy diet rich in nutrients and anti-inflammatory foods helps to improve mental well-being.
- Minimize stress levels. Cortisol, otherwise known as the stress hormone, can play a major role in our physical and mental health. Learn to find ways to set boundaries and minimize excess stressors in your life.
- Develop hobbies and healthy coping mechanisms. Finding hobbies and healthy ways to cope with anxiety and depression is a great way to prevent depression from developing or worsening. Meditation, cooking, gardening, or reading are all great examples of healthy coping mechanisms and hobbies.
- Develop a healthier relationship with social media and screens. Limit your time on social media and be mindful of how it affects your mood and self-esteem. Focus on using social media positively and avoid comparing yourself to others. Engage in digital detoxes regularly to give your mind a break from constant online interactions.
- Try therapy, residential treatment, or a mental health gap semester. Residential treatment programs or regular therapy sessions with a mental health professional have shown great results in terms of mental health outcomes. Residential treatment programs for young adults vary.
Building a comprehensive mental health treatment plan is essential for long-term recovery and wellbeing.
Our Therapeutic Gap Semester Programs & Mental Health Retreats For Young Adults with Depression Can Help
At Momentum, we offer therapeutic gap semester programs and mental health retreats designed specifically for young adults between the ages of 18 and 25. Our programs have tremendous and transformative effects on the mental health of young adults who struggle with mental health conditions, like anxiety and depression, as well as the transition into adulthood.
We strive to provide our students the skills necessary to be successful in school, work, personal relationships, and other areas of life. Our comprehensive approach includes access to mental health services, independent life skills training, social-emotional learning classes, mindful movement, yoga, breathing, nutrition and personal hygiene guidance, and scaffolded technology integration programming.
With the help of our experienced and compassionate team of clinicians, our students find confidence, develop independence, practice healthy and helpful coping strategies, and reduce the effects of their depression. At Momentum, young adults receive the support they need to overcome barriers and improve their overall well-being.
For more information on how we treat depression in young adults at Momentum, please reach out to us via our Contact Us page or call (877) 296-8711.
