Agreed… the survey showed that around 50% of the respondents were a ‘very different’ or ‘somewhat different’ person as a result of covid.
Obviously the mental health results aren’t great, but it would be helpful to have comparisons to these questions pre-pandemic, and 10 years before that, etc.
Unfortunately, it seems that the Harvard Youth Poll only asked this question before in Spring 2021 (results not much different). It does not appear to have asked this question in its past polls (about twice per year going back to 2003 or so). Perhaps that is not too surprising, since most of its poll questions are about political preferences (although some of the ones in the most recent one are about political expectations, where the polled people seem very pessimistic across party lines).
It’s sad, but not surprising. I think it is can be hard for young people to feel hopeful today. They rightly surmise that they have fewer economic opportunities than their parents did. Add in covid, climate change (and its attendant extreme weather events) and the divisive politics of our day and you have a toxic brew.
My biggest takeaway from that poll isn’t the state of mental health or the impact of Covid. It’s what these young people think the state of our democracy is. It seems to be consistent with findings from some other surveys recently.
Had they done the same mental health questions back when I started teaching 20+ years ago I bet the results would have been the same. I haven’t heard any differences from those I’ve come into contact with - either students or those counseling students.
Honestly, I think it’s a phase of life with hormones and all - the transition from being a kid to an adult.
It actually helps most kids who feel awful to know they aren’t alone and that it is a natural phase they can be going through. When they think everyone else has it all together and only they don’t, that’s when it can get dangerous IME.
So does anyone here have any advice then? I agree with all of the above. We used to tell our kids that it’s important to keep up on what’s going on in the world. Subscribe to an online source you trust and stay informed. I hate to say it but my advice to them has changed recently. It’s all just too much.
I know some truly happy people. They focus on their friends and family and stay local with their politics where they might actually be able to see change. They volunteer and try to take care of themselves. I am see the stress in our kids when we talk about national or international issues. They get very worked up. Maybe it’s healthier to tune out just a bit?
We’ve told both of our kids to spend time fostering their friendships in college and that time is just as important as the time they spend in class. Not sure it’s always easy to do that when slammed with so much work but we hope they try.
I know I feel better when I turn off the news Early in the pandemic, I thought it was so important to know every new slice of information but it also made me so anxious. I’ve stopped spending so much time consuming news and feel much better.
I have said throughout the pandemic that I think this is the hardest hit age group. At the time in their lives (college and early career) when being social is so important, they have been cut off from normal socializing. Socializing with co-workers, peers, bosses, and others is a key part of personal and professional development.
I don’t think I know a single person in this age group (my daughter is 27 so I know quite a few), who hasn’t struggled emotionally during this time. So many negatives and such much ugliness all at one time - pandemic, politics, economy, etc. Us old people, have lived through ups and downs before, but for them this seems like a down that will be the new normal for the rest of their lives.
When my daughter was little we used to watch the news during dinner. After Columbine we stopped and never took up that habit again. Like others have said, you shouldn’t bury your head in the sand and ignore the world, but at the same time it is healthier to limit your exposure to it.
Personally, I like to tell kids to get involved in something they truly enjoy that isn’t related to politics, etc. Do they like to run, bike, hike, sew, read, _____? Join a group/club with others who like the same and get out and do things. The more kids belong in something that doesn’t really judge by how you look or other petty details of their lives, the better they tend to feel.
Ignore influencers and anything else “telling” people what’s supposed to be “in style”, keep tabs on headlines but not so much in every small detail, vote based upon platforms of candidates, but then get back out and enjoy doing what you can while you can.
A brain given plenty of good stuff from what it enjoys (not meaning drugs or alcohol, but natural highs) can handle a fair bit of bad stuff.
Regarding historical data that may be relevant, this stat suggests a 50% increase in suicidal tendencies among college students that receive mental health services over the last 10 years.
I don’t have access to the details to see what the denominator is, but I would guess the number of students receiving mental health services isn’t decreasing.
I think part of it is that it is much more acceptable now to share these feelings. We are much more open today than we were in the past about depression, mental health etc.
I agree with this 100% and we are advising our kids the same: invest time into relationships and your local community. Not to mention the old standbys— regular sleep, exercise, time outdoors, and a faith/meditation practice.
The best and brightest of the next generation will be unable to provide the leadership and solutions we need if they don’t prioritize their own health as much as academic and career achievement.
If kids’ attitudes toward climate are shifting, that seems to be counter to the overall population. Attitudes toward the economic/environment tradeoff, and the concern over global warming have been fairly neutral for decades.
This is likely as more Republicans have a religious faith they can lean on during times of uncertainty. Being able to give your worries up to God, find a faith community, experience mindfulness through prayer and having true belief in God’s understanding of your needs/Grace is more than mildly protective to mental health. Young people today are less and less likely to have faith and more than ever in our country’s history are identifying as atheist.
More than ever the ills of the world are in people’s faces through social media and 24 hour news channels that were not as prevalent in the past. Having an understanding that you can be “in the world -but not of the world” and finding meaning through religion can offer some peace.
I agree - and i’m also going to add that women are also affected by social media.
i just now heard how Instagram is asking teen users to “take a break” - as they acknowledge social media has caused issues with teen girls especially. https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/instagram-launches-tool-urging-teens-break-81602538
I can not imagine growing up with social media; i was a pretty happy teen/young adult (growing up in a rural area, no tv by parent’s choice). I think social media would have affected me for sure; i stay away from most of it now - except CC!