Are Today's Kids and Teenagers More Depressed Than Before?
Happiness is a personal choice, not an environmental one, unless there are physical reasons such as chemical depression. Humans are humans, no matter what time they have lived in. Choose happiness because life is too short not to.
There has been no change in the prevalence of depression either in high-income nations or in low-income nations over the period from 1990 to 2019, i.e., over the course of one generation. Yet today in high-income nations, we talk more about mental health issues although these problems do not qualify as clinical diagnoses.
Challenges Faced by Today's Youth
The reality is different. Youth today face more competition for jobs, less compensation for their work, and skyrocketing housing prices. These issues are compounded by lack of support from the government and a world feeling like it is in ruins.
Here, I speak from personal experience as a part of Gen Z and someone who struggles with depression and has had suicidal thoughts. I see it two ways—rates of depression among teens are going up because we are more aware of mental health issues than we used to be, or kids my age are legitimately more depressed than younger generations. It is likely a combination of both.
Personally, I am extremely tired of existing. The world presents challenges that I feel no adult in power wants to help with. I have survived two school shootings when one was too many, and the government laughed in my face when I asked for stronger gun control measures. I watched our former president mock a disabled person like me and still get elected. I am witnessing the world falling apart due to global warming, only to be told it's fake even after showing people the science behind it. I watched people endanger themselves and others for political ideologies on a pandemic that should never have been political. And, I watched my girlfriend die a painful death because of it.
There is little hope for a better future, not on a personal level nor on a global level. I am just so tired of it all, and I know I am not the only one who feels this way.
In conclusion, the rise in reported mental health issues among kids and teenagers may be due to greater awareness and availability of information. Nevertheless, the environment and lack of support from authorities cannot be ignored as significant contributors to the challenges faced by today's youth.
Conclusion
While the prevalence of clinical depression has not significantly changed over the past 30 years, the discourse around mental health has evolved. The conversation is not just about awareness but also about the factors contributing to the current experiences of younger generations.
It is essential to address systemic issues such as economic inequality, access to healthcare, and support structures that can alleviate the pressures and challenges faced by today's youth. Ignoring these factors would be a disservice to the future of our society and our global community.