Young Adults Aged 18-24 Years ‘Severely Distressed', Says Report, Blames Smartphones, Ultra-Processed Food
Not just in India, the global average Mental Health Quotient of younger internet-enabled adults under age 35 ranges from 5 to 71 across 79 countries, with an average across countries of just 38 – over 60 points lower than those aged over 55
Smartphones, ultra-processed foods, environmental toxins and the growing epidemic of loneliness are pushing young adults in India, aged 18-24, into ‘severe distress’, an extensive survey conducted on over 75,000 Indian adults with internet access by Sapien Labs has revealed.
From feelings of sadness, detachment from reality, unwanted obsessive thoughts, to cognitive difficulties, the report titled Mental State of the World 2024 highlights concerning mental health trends among Indian youngsters.
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This is one of the key findings from the latest Mental State of the World Report conducted by Sapien Labs — a US-based non-profit organisation — through its Global Mind Project.
The study, which surveyed individuals across all continents, including 75,895 Indian adults with internet access, presents a ‘concerning picture’.
While older adults generally have stable well-being, almost half of young adults report feeling severe distress or facing significant challenges.
Although numerous factors have been recognised to drive poor mental health, one key change in the younger generations is the arrival of smartphones, which were introduced in 2008, coinciding with the onset of rising mental health problems, the survey found.
Adults Over 55 Better Than Youngsters
Adults over 55 have an average Mental Health Quotient (MHQ) of 102.4, aligning with global norms. The MHQ measures emotional, social, and cognitive mental functioning. However, in contrast, young adults aged 18-24 scored just 27.6, indicating severe distress.
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. Top issues among young adults include “feelings of sadness and detachment from reality, unwanted obsessive thoughts, and struggles with emotional regulation, resilience, and relationships".
The survey also noted cognitive difficulties, though they were less common than emotional challenges.
“While older adults maintain relatively stable levels of well-being, nearly half of young adults report debilitating distress or significant difficulties," explains Tara Thiagarajan, founder and chief scientist, Sapien Labs. “This is not just about diminished happiness — happiness is only a small component of mind health — but about core mental functions needed to navigate life’s challenges, regulate thoughts and emotions, recover from setbacks, and maintain positive relationships."
This pattern is consistent across internet-enabled populations worldwide, suggesting that economic development alone does not assure strong mental health and well-being.
“These findings should serve as a wake-up call," says Thiagarajan. “Once older generations leave the workforce, maintaining a functioning society—let alone reversing this trend—may become impossible. Despite increased investments in mental health care, the generational decline continues. Clearly, we need a new approach."
Global Trends
Not just in India, the global average MHQ of younger internet-enabled adults under age 35 ranges from 5 to 71 across 79 countries, with an average across countries of just 38 – over 60 points lower than those aged over 55.
According to the report, countries where a 55+ population has an average MHQ above 100 include countries in Central and South America, Finland, a few Sub-Saharan African nations, and a few Southeast Asian countries such as Singapore and Malaysia. In contrast, those at the lower end with an average MHQ below 90 include numerous Western European countries such as Germany, Belgium and the United Kingdom, as well as Ukraine and Japan.
“Many are merely enduring life with 41 per cent, on average, classified as distressed or struggling, i.e. experiencing an average of five or more clinical level symptoms of mental distress that significantly impair their ability to navigate their lives and function productively," the report said.
In a surprising trend, across all countries, younger adults have diminished ‘Mind Health’ relative to older generations. “Only in 15 out of 79 countries did their average MHQ exceed 50, and just one country had an average MHQ above 65 – equivalent to the lowest country average among those aged 55+," the report said.
Why Is This Happening?
Overall, the report suggests that among GenZ – the first generation to grow up with smartphones – the sooner they acquire their first smartphone, the more likely they are to have struggles as adults.
Also, Global Mind data shows that those who regularly consume ultra-processed food are three times more likely to be distressed or struggling with their ‘Mind Health’ compared to those who consume UPFs rarely. Additionally, environmental toxins such as pesticides, heavy metals, and microplastics have been increasingly present in many foods, beverages as well as drinking water, accumulating in the body and brain. “Research has linked these toxins to neurodevelopmental and mental health issues with growing levels of exposure in younger generations during critical developmental stages making them particularly vulnerable to the toxic impact."
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