Young adults currently have an increased risk of anxiety, depression, and suicide.
A U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) survey of adults taken the last week of June (one of the peak months of the pandemic), found that 25.5% in adults aged 18 to 24 responded that they had seriously considered suicide in the past 30 days. This age group also had the highest levels of anxiety and depression of respondents — 62.9% of those 18 to 24. This is a significant increase in anxiety and depression in this age group since 2019.
In a recent study of college students, 91% reported moderate to high levels of stress, 39% reported moderate to severe anxiety, and 53% reported moderate to severe depression.
There is a perfect storm contributing to increased anxiety, depression, and suicide in college students. First, the Covid-19 pandemic has stretched on seemingly interminably.
For many students, being at home with family gives a sense of security and normalcy. Leaving home during a pandemic to return to campus can cause separation anxiety. This is especially true if students aren’t sure what to expect when they return. For other students, another semester (or two) of remote learning from home is the last place they want to be. Continuing another semester at home causes them to dread and worry about keeping up their academic standing. Many students, such as those with ADHD, have considerable difficulty learning from online classes.
