Why Youth Isn't the Happiest Time: Mental Health and Happiness Challenges in Young Adults

Youth may be portrayed as the happiest time in a person’s life, as a time filled with freedom, excitement, and opportunity. However, for many young adults, this idealized version of youth doesn’t align with reality. Instead of carefree joy, many young people may face mental health challenges related to anxiety and uncertainty about the future. Academic and social pressures can cause social and emotional stress that may negatively impact a person’s overall well-being.

Although young people may experience added stress and anxiety, it may be possible for them to increase happiness and life satisfaction. Implementing strategies designed to reduce stress and anxiety and identifying and reframing negative thought patterns can help improve a young person’s outlook on life. In this article, we will examine the cause of unhappiness during youth and explore strategies for improving mental health and increasing happiness. 

The myth of youthful happiness

As young people transition into adulthood, they may experience new stressors, such as financial instability and job challenges. This transition may also mark the end of old friendships as people move away or pursue other paths in their lives, which can make it challenging to build and maintain relationships. These factors can cause mental health impacts such as anxiety and depression, which may negatively impact happiness even further. 

The World Happiness Report: Understanding happiness based on age

The World Happiness Report is a one-question survey given to people worldwide to determine relative happiness around the globe. The report breaks down happiness based on many factors, including age, gender, and country of residence as well as looking at other trends such as happiness in underdeveloped countries, developing countries, and developed countries. Understanding happiness trends may be important, and happiness may impact global productivity. Additionally, economic research shows that as happiness declines, so does productivity. 

What does the World Happiness Report say about happiness in youth?

Within the World Happiness Report, the traditional trend for happiness based on age was U-shaped, with young people expressing high levels of happiness, which dropped during midlife (sometimes triggering a midlife crisis), and rose again in old age. In North America, the youth happiness levels have dropped below those of older adults, marking a departure from global and generational trends of the past. Further research from the US National Bureau of Economic Research notes that this trend is also occurring in other English-speaking nations, making unhappiness in youth an absolute global crisis. This sharp decline in happiness and increased social isolation has some in the research community calling this the “lost generation.” 

Risk factors for unhappiness in youth

There may not be one single sign or cause of unhappiness in youth, and various internal and external factors contribute to unhappiness, making this stage of life more challenging than often perceived. Understanding these risk factors can help young people navigate difficulties and prioritize their well-being. Some risk factors of unhappiness in youth may include: 

• Mental health challenges–Anxiety, depression, and other mental health conditions are prevalent among young adults and may be linked to unhappiness. 
• Financial instability–As teens transition to adulthood, it may be the first time that they have to pay for basic needs on their own, which can add stress and uncertainty to an already challenging time. 
• Social media–Social media can create unrealistic expectations of success, beauty, and happiness. Constant exposure to curated highlights of others’ lives can lead to low self-esteem and feelings of inadequacy. 
• Academic and career pressure–Many young adults may feel pressure to be successful in school or find a lucrative career; this pressure can cause feelings of burnout and emotional exhaustion. 
• Loneliness and social isolation–While social media can keep people connected, those connections may become superficial as individuals move away for college or work. 

Mental health challenges in young adults

The pressures and stress associated with youth can lead to many mental health conditions or challenges in young adults. These conditions may vary in type and severity depending on a person’s unique situation and personal health history. Some common mental health conditions may include anxiety, depression, and isolation or social withdrawal. 

Anxiety and depression

Many young adults may experience chronic stress and anxiety caused by factors such as financial instability, general uncertainty, and academic pressure. When untreated, these pressures can cause anxiety disorders, including General Anxiety Disorder (GAD), social anxiety, and panic disorders. These disorders can make everyday tasks seem overwhelming and may cause a person to feel exhausted.  

In addition to anxiety, many young people may experience feelings of hopelessness, which can cause depression. Depression may affect a growing number of young adults and can often be exacerbated by loneliness and the pressure to succeed. Some young people may struggle with feelings of sadness and a lack of motivation, making it difficult to engage in daily activities or find joy in life.

Isolation and loneliness

Early in youth, friendships can seem easy to build and maintain as many young people see their friends every day at school or in their neighborhood. However, these friendships may fade as young people transition in life and have more responsibilities. Additionally, many young people may be highly active on social media, which can cause further social isolation as individuals live in virtual worlds with minimal face-to-face contact.  

Other mental health challenges that impact life satisfaction

While anxiety, depression, and loneliness are major challenges for young adults, there may be other mental health challenges that impact overall life satisfaction in youth. Some of these challenges may include: 

• Identity and self-worth challenges–Young people may find it difficult to develop their own identity as they get older. This can lead to low self-esteem and uncertainty, which can cause internal conflict and emotional distress. 
• Burnout–Balancing responsibilities, like education and work, can lead to feelings of burnout. A young person may feel like they have to live up to societal expectations or achieve success early in life, causing them to feel a lack of motivation or exhaustion. 
• Substance use or other coping mechanisms–Some young adults may turn to alcohol, drugs, or other unhealthy coping mechanisms to deal with stress or emotional pain. While these may provide temporary relief, they can often lead to worsened mental health and long-term consequences.

Factors impacting happiness in youth: Expectations, comparison culture, and financial stress

For youth, life may not be the happy and carefree time shown in media and popular culture. Factors such as parental and societal expectations, comparison culture, and financial stress can negatively impact youth mental health. Understanding these factors and how they impact happiness can help young people and their support network implement strategies to improve happiness and mental health.

Parental and societal expectations 

Young people may experience pressure to meet expectations from both parents and society. These expectations may center around academic or career success and the belief that a young person should have their life figured out early on. When reality does not meet these expectations, it can lead to feelings of inadequacy and anxiety. Many young people may struggle with the idea that they should already be successful and happy, even though adulthood is a continuous process of growth and learning.

Comparison culture and youth happiness 

Social media has intensified comparison culture, making young adults feel like they are falling behind. On social media, teens and young adults may see curated content that insinuates that youth is a time to party, have as much sex as possible, and find success. Constant exposure to these idealized versions of life can lead to low self-esteem and general dissatisfaction. 

Financial stress for young adults

Young adulthood can be a time of increased financial stress. As a young person transitions out of their childhood home and into the adult world, they may be faced with paying for housing and food on their own and creating a personal budget for the first time. The financial burden of early adulthood can prevent young adults from pursuing passions or affording basic necessities, which can negatively impact mental health. 

Emotional impacts of life transitions 

Life transitions, such as graduating, starting a career, moving away from home, or ending a relationship, are major milestones that can shape a young adult’s journey. While these changes bring opportunities for growth, they can also trigger stress and emotional instability due to feelings of uncertainty. Whether it’s the fear of starting a new job, adjusting to an unfamiliar city, or dealing with relationship changes, young adults may experience heightened anxiety about the future.

Transitioning from youth to adulthood can also trigger feelings of grief or loss, and young adults may mourn the loss of friends or their past identity. This transition may also create doubts about a person’s self-identity moving forward. The pressure to establish a clear career path, develop new relationships, or make life-defining decisions can feel overwhelming.

Strategies for improving life satisfaction and happiness

While young people may experience elevated levels of unhappiness, there are strategies that can improve mental health and increase happiness. One strategy that may help is shifting your mindset and focusing on progress, not perfection. This may start by setting small, achievable goals instead of obsessing over an idealized version of success.

Another strategy to improve life satisfaction may be to prioritize mental and physical well-being. Regular exercise, proper sleep, and healthy eating can boost mood and energy levels. Additionally, practicing mindfulness, meditation, or seeking therapy can help manage stress and emotional struggles.

Are you having a hard time finding happiness?

Connecting with a therapist may help

Connecting with a mental health professional

 For young people feeling anxiety or chronic stress, connecting with a mental health professional can be beneficial. A therapist can consider a person’s mental health from a holistic perspective, taking into account many life factors before providing strategies and techniques to improve mental health. Online therapy can be an effective way for young adults to manage mental health challenges such as anxiety and depression. In a virtual environment, a therapist can identify and reframe negative thought patterns to improve happiness. 

It can be challenging for young people to connect with a therapist who fits their needs in their location. With online therapy, individuals can connect with a therapist who meets their needs, regardless of where they are located. This can add flexibility and give young people an opportunity to connect with many therapists before making a final decision.