A major global study has identified early smartphone exposure, ultra-processed diets, and weakening social connections as key factors behind the decline in young people’s mental health.
The Global Mind Health Report by Sapien Labs analysed data from over 2.5 million individuals across 85 countries, including India.
Researchers used a metric known as the Mind Health Quotient (MHQ) to evaluate how well individuals manage stress, regulate emotions, and function effectively in their daily lives.
The findings highlight a sharp generational gap. While adults aged 55 and above continue to fall within a healthy range, nearly half of those under 35 now face mental health challenges severe enough to disrupt daily life.
This burden is more than four times greater than that observed in older generations.
Researchers note that the decline began before the pandemic, intensified significantly during COVID-19, and has yet to recover.
The report also identifies four key drivers of mental health outcomes – family connections, spirituality, smartphone use, and ultra-processed diets – pointing to critical areas for reversing the trend.
Wealth doesn’t ensure well-being
Geographical trends further deepen the concern. Young adults in Sub-Saharan African nations such as Ghana, Nigeria, and Kenya report comparatively better mental health.
In contrast, countries like Japan, the United Kingdom, and China rank among the lowest.
Notably, wealthier nations often perform worse, challenging the belief that economic growth and technological progress automatically lead to better well-being.
Early smartphone access and diet raise concerns
One significant factor is the age at which children first gain access to smartphones. Globally, Gen Z reported receiving their first device at around 14, with even younger ages now observed among adolescents in countries like India and the United States.
The report suggests that earlier exposure is associated with poorer mental health outcomes later in life.
Diet also plays a major role. More than half of young adults (54%) said they regularly consume ultra-processed foods—such as packaged snacks and sugary drinks-compared to just 26% of those aged 55 and above.
Higher consumption levels were particularly seen in Western nations and parts of East Asia, while lower levels were reported in regions like the Middle East and North Africa.
The report adds that schools worldwide are struggling to manage the impact, while parents are increasingly dealing with teenagers and young adults facing challenges they did not experience themselves.
Over the past two decades, rates of anxiety and depression among young people have steadily increased.
Social connections provide a sense of purpose
Beyond lifestyle factors, the report highlights the importance of social and emotional support. Young adults with weak family ties were found to be four times more likely to experience distress.
In contrast, strong family connections were linked to significantly better mental health outcomes.
Spirituality may help reverse the trend
A similar trend was seen with spirituality: individuals who reported a stronger sense of purpose or a connection to something greater than themselves generally showed better mental health outcomes.
The findings also stress that improving well-being requires more than just clinical care. Greater focus is needed on how young people eat, build relationships, and interact with technology, as these are key drivers of long-term mental health.