The mental health of Gen Z worst impacted by COVID-19 pandemic, study reveals

Digital Desk: New study reveals the COVID-19 epidemic has had the greatest impact on the mental health of people between the ages of 18 and 24.

The Sapien Labs Centre for Human Brain and Mind at Krea University in India started a new series on mental health in India. The first report focuses on the mental health of young people, particularly those aged 18 to 24, who predominantly speak English and frequently use the internet.

This paper examines how the mental health of this population has altered after the Covid-19 outbreak began in 2020. As part of the Global Mind Project, they collected data from 1,06,427 persons in 36 states and union territories between April 2020 and August 2023. It is the largest survey of its sort in India.

According to the report, the mental health of Indians of all ages (18-74 years) decreased from 2020 to 2023, particularly among those aged 18-24. 

Almost two years after the pandemic, which diminished social interactions, increased unemployment rates, and increased usage of the internet and social media, Indians' mental health scores across all age categories have declined.

Reportedly, the drop is greatest among those aged 18 to 24.

The study, however, does not attribute these losses to economic considerations because the findings are constant across income levels.

When opposed to other age groups, there is less diversity in mental health across states among 18-24-year-olds. Tamil Nadu and Kerala in the south have superior mental health outcomes than the Northern states.

Despite considerations of academic stress and economic problems, the study highlights the importance of identifying early risk factors in order to improve prevention methods. Even among the highly educated English-speaking and internet-enabled youth, India's youth population of over 200 million may find difficulties in efficiently accessing the work market.

Given the magnitude of the problem, Shailender Swaminathan, Director of Sapien Labs Centre for the Human Brain and Mind in India, believes that a preventative approach to mental health may be required.

"Across Indian states, we find that youth considered the "Demographic Dividend" for India, are experiencing increasing distress post-Covid." The current policy paradigm aims to manage and treat mental health problems by providing psychosocial support and crisis responses. Given the magnitude and complexities of the situation, a more proactive strategy may be required," stated Shailender Swaminathan.

For example, we discovered some evidence in a previously published global analysis suggesting postponing smartphone adoption is associated with better mental health outcomes for 18-24-year-olds, he indicated.