Pandemic-induced mental health issues continue; youngsters experiencing functionally debilitating struggles: Report

Long after COVID-19 first struck the world, its impact continues to be felt as we go about our everyday lives. Physically, mentally or emotionally, the scars of the pandemic keep surfacing every now and then.

As per a study conducted by Sapien Labs, titled 'Mental State of the World Report 2024' through its Global Mind Project, mental well-being of India's internet-enabled population underwent a "sharp decline" during the pandemic years and five years hence, it shows "no sign of recovery."

Tara Thiagarajan, founder and chief scientist says, "Our data — collected using the Mind Health Quotient (MHQ) which measures all aspects of mental function: emotional, social and cognitive — shows that while older adults are doing well, a near majority of younger adults are experiencing functionally debilitating struggles or distress."

This is not just about diminished happiness but about the core mental functioning that is needed to navigate life’s challenges and function productively, adds Thiagarajan.

Sapien Labs, a US-based not-for-profit that works "to understand the human mind and its rising mental health concerns," notes that in every region of the world, older adults are doing relatively well while younger generations are struggling. "The only difference between countries is how far the Mind Health of their younger generations has declined. Some may simply be further along this downward trajectory than others."

This 'Mental State of the World Report' is the annual report of the Global Mind Project and provides trends and insights on the mental health and well-being of Internet-enabled populations around the globe. Data is collected using the MHQ assessment, a comprehensive online survey of mental function that provides an overall metric (the MHQ score) which relates to the ability to navigate the normal stresses of life and function productively.

Interestingly, while in other countries, almost all, as per the report, 41 per cent young adults experience functionally debilitating distress, younger adults fare best in Sub-Saharan Africa. As per the report, young Indians, beginning from millennials, face problems in areas of planning and organisation, focus, concentration, social interaction, relationships with others, self-control, impulsivity, self-image, and emotional resilience among others, which represent capacities to navigate the social world.

India, as per the report, is no exception. The study surveyed close to 76,000 Indian adults with internet access and found that in comparison to their older counterparts, younger adults have far lower mental well-being. On the 200-point MHQ scale, where 100 represents the expected norm for a well-functioning mind, India scores an average of 57.8, slightly below the global average of 63.

The root causes of this trend, says Thiagarajan in the report, "are multivariate and interconnected. They include smartphones and an increasingly socially disconnected culture, ultra-processed foods, and environmental toxins. Altogether the decline in younger generations is present across all countries irrespective of spending levels on mental health research and access to care."

The study found that individuals who frequently consumed ultra-processed foods were three times more likely to experience poor mental health, as "these foods contain additives and toxins that may contribute to neurological imbalances." The report also noted that "a shift toward performance-driven, individualistic mindsets has weakened family bonds and friendships." 

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