The world is seeing a troubling rise in mental health issues among young adults. A new study from Sapiens Labs highlights several key factors contributing to this crisis.
The Global Mind Health in 2025 evaluates “mind health”—a measure of how well people cope with life’s challenges. It uses the Mind Health Quotient (MHQ), which ranges from “distressed” (-100) to “thriving” (200). The study analyzed over a million assessments from 84 countries.
The average MHQ score for adults was 66, which indicates they are managing well about 70% of the time. However, young adults aged 18 to 34 scored much lower, averaging just 36. In contrast, adults over 55 had a higher average of 101, with only 10% experiencing significant mental health issues.
Interestingly, the report points to a “paradox of progress”: despite living in a tech-rich world, young adults in wealthier nations seem to have poorer mental health. For example, in countries where many report close family ties, young adults scored 15 points higher on the MHQ compared to those in countries with fewer familial connections.
Another contributing factor is decreased spirituality. Countries where young adults report stronger spiritual connections generally show better mental health outcomes. In fact, those with higher spirituality scored 30 points higher on average than those with less spiritual engagement.
Receiving a smartphone at an early age is also linked to lower mental health scores. The study found that younger Gen Z adults who got smartphones before age 13 faced more severe mental health challenges, including a sense of detachment and increased aggression.
Diet plays a significant role too. More than half of young adults regularly consume ultra-processed foods, which are associated with higher rates of anxiety and depression. In contrast, only 26% of older adults report the same eating habits, pointing to a key lifestyle difference between generations.
Despite the high costs associated with mental health care—like America spending $2.2 billion on research in 2024—the outcomes for young adults remain concerning. For example, young Americans averaged an MHQ of 40, ranking near the bottom globally.
Experts believe that the choices parents make can greatly affect their children’s future mental health. By fostering strong family connections, encouraging spirituality, moderating technology use, and promoting healthy eating, parents can help set their kids up for success.
In conclusion, young adults today face unique challenges that are deeply intertwined with family and lifestyle choices. Understanding these factors is crucial for improving mental health in this age group.
For further resources on parenting and mental well-being, check out articles from Focus on the Family.
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