How Young Adults Are Affected By Mental Health
Early adulthood is a crucial time for developing emotional and social habits essential for mental well-being. These habits include healthy sleep patterns, regular exercise, developing coping mechanisms and interpersonal skills, and learning to manage emotions. Creating a protective and supportive environment in the family, school, and broader community is crucial for young adults to maintain their emotional, physical, and mental well-being.
Teenage mental health studies show that mental health develops slowly over time. Emotional and social well-being plays a vital role in development. All children and young people develop at different rates. For example, some are more self-confident and independent, while others are shy and quiet. Sometimes, however, young people may face difficulties affecting their daily lives and well-being.
Some of these difficulties can include mental health issues, like depression or anxiety. Identifying mental health problems early and developing an appropriate plan is essential. This encourages positive social development and well-being, thus reducing the escalation of further challenges.
Factors Deteriorating Mental Health in Young Adults
Many factors can affect mental health. The more risk factors young adults are exposed to, the more significant the impact on their mental health. Factors that contribute the most to developing poor mental health include stress, pressure to conform with peers, and the exploration of self-identity. Media influence is also a significant factor in deteriorating mental health among young adults, as well as quality of home life and peer relationships.
Impact of Social Media on Young Adults Mental Health
Sharing on social media allows people worldwide to stay in touch and connect with new people. Developing these connections and friendships can be excellent for young adults as they feel supported and start forming their identities. However, it is only natural to wonder about the other ways social media can affect young adults.
While social media doesn’t affect all people the same way, studies show it is linked to negative effects on mental health. For example, the excessive use of social media can:
- Disrupt sleep patterns
- Distract from work, school or other activities
- Sharing or receiving too much personal information
- Contribute to anxiety and social withdrawal
- Forming unrealistic images of others
- Being exposed to cyberbullying
Signs of Mental Health Challenges in Young Adults
While the symptoms of every mental health condition differ, there are some common signs that parents, teachers and guardians can watch out for. In some cases, the signs start exhibiting in adolescence and childhood. However, mental health difficulties may not be evident because children are still in the process of developing their emotional skills and thoughts.
Some of the signs of mental health difficulties include the following:
- Challenges at school or in school performance
- Recurring and frequent nightmares
- Waking up multiple times at night
- Excessive worrying
- Difficulties concentrating or learning
- Mood changes
- Difficulty coping with difficult situations and stress
- Difficulty carrying out daily and routine tasks
- Lack of self-confidence
- Significant weight loss or weight gain
- Loss of interest in activities
- Withdrawal from friends and family
Most Common Mental Health Challenges Affecting Young Adults
Young adulthood is a period filled with significant transitions, growth, and exploration phases, during which people navigate the complexities of career aspirations, educational aspirations, and relationship development. In this stage of life, there are often newly found freedoms and opportunities, but for many, it is a time of challenges and stressors that impact mental health.
During the transitional period to adulthood, young individuals face plenty of environmental, societal and academic pressures that contribute to the onset of mental health conditions. There has been a growing recognition of the prevalence of mental health challenges among young adults, with research showing that mental conditions often emerge at the top of the developmental stage, which underscores the need for proactive intervention and proper support. Some factors such as environmental influence, genetic predisposition, trauma or substance misuse can all play a key role in shaping one’s mental health experiences as they enter adulthood.
Understanding the common mental disorders that affect people is crucial for promoting awareness and facilitating access to proper care and support. We can empower people to thrive in all aspects of life by addressing these challenges proactively.
Depression
According to the World Health Organisation, depression is a condition that affects people of all ages, as well as young adults. Some studies show that young adults are exposed to an increased vulnerability to depression, with up to 1 in 5 young adults experiencing depression at one point in their lives. Depression is a mood disorder that is described as a lowering of the mood and losing interest as well as having reduced energy. Contrary to popular belief, it is not just a feeling of sadness since there are many different types and symptoms of this mental health challenge and varying levels of severity.
Anxiety
Anxiety disorders are also one of the most prevalent mental health challenges among young adults and adults today. The World Health Organization reports that 4% of the global population experience some anxiety disorder. Anxiety is not simply a feeling of worry. Its impact is much more significant and affects day-to-day living.
Anxiety is characterised by persistent fear or excessive worrying. Some of the other symptoms of anxiety include:
- Feeling apprehensive
- Irritability and restlessness
- Anticipation of negative scenarios
- Fatigue
- Racing heartbeat and shortness of breath
- Insomnia
- Feeling jumpy and tense
There are multiple types of anxiety disorders, which is why it is essential to seek proper support and care from mental health professionals. Young people are still developing, so it is necessary to approach mental health challenges carefully and provide early intervention and understanding.
Eating Disorders
Eating disorders are common in young people. There are many different types of eating disorders, but they are generally characterised as an unhealthy relationship with food and body image. While these mental health problems affect everyone, young men often go undiagnosed when facing these challenges due to social stigma.
Some of the different types of eating disorders include:
- Anorexia nervosa
- Bulimia nervosa
- Binge eating disorder
Anorexia is one of the most common conditions that affects young adults. Because these conditions often involve unhealthy eating behaviours, they come with the risk of nutrition deficiencies, weakened immune systems and low blood pressure.
Coping Strategies and Support
Mental health intervention and prevention aim to enhance people’s capacity to regulate emotions and build resilience for coping with difficult situations. Some coping strategies require a multifaceted approach to reach a wider adolescent audience. Coping strategies for young people with mental health problems are crucial for promoting resilience, recovery, and well-being.
Seeking therapy or counselling from qualified mental health professionals can provide a safe space for young people to share their opinions and feelings, learn coping skills, and develop strategies to manage their symptoms better. Participating in peer support groups can also bring a sense of community and validation through connecting with others who have a shared experience with specific mental health challenges. Also, encouraging self-care practices and stress management techniques such as mindfulness can promote well-being and resilience.
Importance of Addressing Mental Health Challenges
Mental health contributes to overall well-being and improved quality of life. Addressing mental health challenges allows individuals to build more emotional resilience and satisfaction in their daily lives. Mental health is also tightly connected to physical health since it can cause other health challenges when left untreated or unnoticed.
It is essential to address mental health concerns regularly and strengthen interpersonal connections by fostering understanding and promoting the development of healthy, loving relationships. Additionally, having access to mental health services and proper support is a matter of equality and social justice. Addressing these challenges requires challenging systematic barriers like limited access to healthcare, socioeconomic inequalities and discrimination.
Mental Health Support with Unique Community Services
Unique Community Services provides nurse-led, proactive support to people with complex mental health needs. We deliver all our services using a strengths-based approach and Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) to ensure the provision of humanised, tailored, complex care.
Our mission is to provide transformative care and avoid unnecessary hospital admissions, often leading to adverse outcomes and dismissing human rights. Every individual deserves a person-centred approach to care and the ability to receive support in their own homes.
With offices in Bristol, Manchester, and Leeds, our services are available across the UK.
Contact us today for more information on how our services can help you.
