Young adulthood is full of milestones and transitions that can feel like it sets the tone for the rest of your life. It may finally be time to graduate from your stuffy high school and move to a new town. Or maybe you’ve found the love of your life—or you’re ready to start looking. Sounds like only good things, right? But for many young adults, these pivotal life transitions could actually be the culprits for mental health struggles.
Rather than emerging from college with a shiny new job, you may have to move back home. Or, perhaps your high school friends have started a family, and you don’t hang out nearly as much as you’d like. These are all contributing factors to why adulthood can be such a difficult time: It is all about transition.
Being proactive about your mental health is one of the most important things you can do. Just like you would measure a fever to see if you have a cold, you can measure your mental well-being with a mental health temperature check. Building a routine of checking in with your mental health can be a vital time of self-reflection and a way to know when you need to take a step back from busy life or get professional help.
Read on to learn why young adulthood introduces challenges to mental health and access a list of questions to help you gauge your own mental health temperature.
Key Takeaways
- A lack of meaning and purpose, financial and relationship worries, and social and political issues all contribute to high rates of young adult mental health conditions.
- One-third of people between the ages of 18 and 25 have a diagnosed mental health condition, the highest of any age group.
- Establishing a regular young adult mental health check-in can help young people stay on course and seek support when needed.
- A therapist or an outpatient program can support young adults to build resilience, strengthen self-worth, and progress with life goals.
Why Mental Health Challenges Emerge in Young Adulthood
So, if a young adult’s life is filled with new opportunities and freedom, why do so many people start to struggle at this age? Harvard’s Graduate School of Education surveyed young adults, teens, and parents to give powerful insight into that issue. Their findings identified the top reasons for mental health challenges:
- A lack of meaning, purpose, and direction: Nearly 3 in 5 young adults (58%) reported that they lacked “meaning or purpose” in their lives in the previous month. Half of young adults reported that their mental health was negatively influenced by “not knowing what to do with my life.”
- Financial worries and achievement pressure: More than half of young adults reported that financial worries (56%) and achievement pressure (51%) were negatively impacting their mental health.
- A perception that the world is unraveling: Forty-five percent (45%) of young adults reported that a general “sense that things are falling apart” was impairing their mental health.
- Relationship deficits: Forty-four percent (44%) of young adults reported a sense of not mattering to others and 34% reported loneliness.
- Social and political issues: Forty-two percent (42%) reported the negative influence on their mental health of gun violence in schools, 34% cited climate change, and 30% cited worries that our political leaders are incompetent or corrupt.
It’s no wonder young people start to develop mental health challenges at this age. It’s important to understand that there are ways to identify the signs of psychiatric issues early and accessible ways to get help.
If you feel as though life is too much or need help from a professional, call our team at 952-826-8475 at any time. You can also fill out our form to request a no-cost mental health screening, and our team will contact you within one business day.
Young Adult Mental Health Statistics
Recent numbers show just how prevalent mental health challenges can be in young adults, such as:
- 75% of mental health symptoms emerge by age 24 (American Psychological Association)
- 33.7% of people between the ages of 18 and 25 have a diagnosed mental health condition, the highest of any age group (American Psychological Association)
- Adults aged 18-29 have the highest rates of depression at 24.6% and have the fastest-rising rates compared to 2017 estimates (Gallup Panel Survey)
- Young adults reported twice the rates of anxiety and depression as teens in a national survey (Harvard Education)
- The national rate of adults experiencing suicidal ideation has increased every year since 2011 (Mental Health America)
These numbers aren’t meant to be intimidating, but rather to show how common mental health disorders can arise in early adulthood. On the bright side, there are questions you can ask yourself to gauge your mental health and get help when you need it. In fact, identifying signs early and starting treatment is the key to successful outcomes.
10 Mental Health Questions to Regularly Ask Yourself
Mental health can change, for better or for worse, for a multitude of reasons. That’s why it’s essential to build a habit of checking in with yourself. That way, you can understand when your negative emotions change, continue for too long or worsen. But it can also be a great way to recognize your progress and improve your daily life.
Here are 10 questions to ask yourself as part of a mental health temperature check:
1. From 1-10, what number best describes my current state of mind?
Tracking your daily temperature helps you know when you may be running hot or identify patterns affecting your mental health. It can also help you gauge your progress—celebrating your wins is always an important factor in healing!
2. How am I feeling both mentally and physically?
Often, people with mental health challenges have physical symptoms that arise because of excessive stress, anxiety, depression, and other conditions. Make sure to listen to your body and identify signs that could represent an underlying mental health issue, such as headaches, GI issues, loss of energy, and muscle tension.
3. What is consuming most of my mental space?
So many new experiences, transitions, and challenges in young adulthood can consume your headspace. If one thing (or a couple) is fogging your brain, it’s important to find a healthy outlet to work through it and relieve stress or anxiousness.
4. Do I feel stuck or lost in life?
Many young people can feel lost without the guided daily life of high school, living at home, or their typical friend group. Feeling stuck or lost can be expected, but finding a way forward or coping is essential.
5. Have I been taking care of myself?
If you’re busy, it can be easy to neglect your most basic needs, such as sleeping less, skipping meals, or not drinking enough water. Continuing to not care for your body over a period of time can be a sign of an underlying mental health disorder such as depression.
6. When was the last time I did something that brought me joy?
Feeling joy and happiness is important—it can’t be all about serious matters. Your brain needs a vacation, too, and building in moments of joy can be a great stress reliever. If you no longer enjoy your typical hobbies, it can be the biggest red flag to reach out for help and work through these feelings with a therapist.
7. Do I have a support system, or do I feel lonely most of the time?
Loneliness can emerge frequently in young people and is often associated with significant life events such as a breakup with your partner, graduating from college, moving to a new town, etc. Feeling lonely can damage your mental health, but people with anxiety, for example, may avoid social contact. This can create a vicious cycle, and having a strong social circle is vital to feeling better.
8. Is there something I could say “no” to, to improve my current emotions?
For some people, stepping into adulthood can mean saying “yes” to every opportunity—but that’s not always the best way to manage stress or set realistic expectations for yourself. Take a moment to reflect on what’s necessary and maybe say “no” to the things that are causing additional anxiety.
9. Is there something I am looking forward to?
Making time to do something you enjoy is important for stress relief and mental health management. If you have nothing to look forward to, you can add in small activities that introduce joy, such as a walk outside or a half hour spent reading a novel with an iced coffee. If you continue to struggle to find happiness, working with a therapist can help you identify hope for the future.
10. Have there been times when I’ve felt like there’s nowhere to turn or when you thought about hurting yourself?
These thoughts must be taken seriously and can indicate severe mental health concerns. If you answer yes, please contact a professional or call 988 to get help immediately.
Building a routine of checking in with yourself can be an opportunity for self-reflection and knowing when to get help when you need it—just like you would for your physical health. You can start building a healthy habit by setting time aside in your schedule. Simply set a timer for 20 minutes or put a calendar invite with a reminder to make it part of your day.
That way, you can gauge your “normal” and know when your temperature is “hot,” so you can get support from others and reach out to a professional.
Next Steps if Your Temp is Running Hot
If you do the check for the first time, you may be surprised what you find out about yourself or your current state of mind. And if you build a habit of checking, you’ll start to have a gut feeling when your mental health is off and be more proactive in managing your it. If you feel as though your mental health temperature is running hot, it’s time to get help.
As with physical health, you can get support in a couple of ways. One option is to contact your primary care provider, who can refer you to a specialist. Another option is to contact a mental health organization directly, as many have admission lines and mental health screenings available to the public.
PrairieCare provides a no-cost screening to anyone seeking mental health services—with no strings attached. You can get started by calling our team at 952-826-8475 or learning more about our admissions process here. You can also request a no-cost mental health screening by clicking the button below and filling out the form on the right. Our team will contact you within one business day to begin the process.
Signs You Should Go to a Hospital
If you feel as though there’s nowhere to turn, are afraid you might yourself, or have other emotions that seem out of your control, it’s time to get immediate help. Without professional advice, it can be hard to know when you need to self-refer to a mental health hospital.
Although symptoms may vary from person to person, these 10 signs should always be taken seriously:
- Inability to function in daily activities
- Sleeping excessively or not being able to sleep
- Difficulty thinking, or speaking coherently
- Auditory or visual hallucinations, including ringing sounds or seeing lights
- Anxiety that interferes with daily life and decision-making
- Suicidal thoughts or plans
- Delusions, including feeling indestructible or beyond human
- Psychosis, or complete detachment from reality
- Self-harming behavior
- Suicide attempt—call 911 or 952-826-8424 right away
Getting support for your mental health is as important as taking care of your physical health. Accessing care today rather than later will help you feel better sooner and give you the skills to thrive.
Even if it doesn’t feel serious to you, it’s crucial to get a professional opinion as soon as possible. PrairieCare provides immediate care at our hospital for anyone 35 and under—without a referral from a professional. Call 952-826-8424 any day or time, and our team will guide you to the appropriate care for your symptoms.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a mental health temperature check for young adults?
- A mental health check-in includes self-reflection on how you have been feeling physically, emotionally, socially, and mentally. It can help young people gauge their state of mind and increase their self-awareness.
How many young adults are depressed?
- Adults aged 18–29 have the highest rates of depression, at 25 percent, and the fastest-rising rates compared to recent estimations.
How many young adults have anxiety?
- More than 1 in 3 (36 percent) of young adults report anxiety, according to a recent survey conducted by Harvard and Making Caring Common.
Why are young adults so depressed and anxious?
- Financial stress, relationship issues, worries about what’s happening in the world, and a lack of meaning and purpose all contribute to high rates of young adult mental health conditions.
When should you go to a hospital for mental health?
- Symptoms that indicate a need for immediate care include self-harming, suicidal thoughts or attempts, inability to sleep or engage in everyday activities, psychosis, and hallucinations.
About PrairieCare
At PrairieCare, we provide hope and healing to individuals of all ages through comprehensive mental health services. PrairieCare is one of the nation’s largest providers of premier psychiatric services to the Twin Cities metro area, Rochester, and Mankato. Our programs and services span the full continuum of care, with the understanding that each patient has unique experiences, life stages, and needs.
Whether you need help with anxiety in college, want to check in with a trusted therapist after a traumatic event, or would benefit from support for another mental health need, our team can help.
Learn more about our services for people of all ages.
Sources
- Making Caring Common. (2023). On Edge: Understanding and Preventing Young Adults’ Mental Health Challenges.
- Clin Psychol Eur. 2021 Jun; 3(2): e4221.