Story perspectives

Global Mental Health Crisis: Youth Suffering Increased Despair

9/6/2025

Summary

Story summary

Over one billion people worldwide experience mental health disorders, mainly anxiety and depression, per WHO data.
Mental health issues rank as the second leading cause of long-term disability, affecting families and economies.
Young adults under 25 show a significant rise in despair rates since 1993.
In Ireland, inpatient admissions for eating disorders in youth increased from 2018 to 2022.
Social media and societal pressures exacerbate mental health issues, especially eating disorders among youth.

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Story summary

Over one billion people worldwide experience mental health disorders, mainly anxiety and depression, per WHO data.
Mental health issues rank as the second leading cause of long-term disability, affecting families and economies.
Young adults under 25 show a significant rise in despair rates since 1993.
In Ireland, inpatient admissions for eating disorders in youth increased from 2018 to 2022.
Social media and societal pressures exacerbate mental health issues, especially eating disorders among youth.