A CENTRAL FINDING
Mental Health Decline Is Concentrated in Early Adulthood
The sharpest rise in anxiety and depression came from Americans ages 25-34. Adults 75 and older saw rates hold steady or even improve over the same period. Rather than a consistent decrease across age, it’s concentrating in early adulthood.
↑ WORSENED (AGES 25-34)
Anxiety
30.9% → 37.7%
A 22% relative increase since 2019 — the largest jump of any age group.
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WHILE
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↓ IMPROVED (AGES 75+)
Anxiety
17.3% → 17.0%
Essentially flat since 2019 and the only age group to see a decline.
↑ WORSENED (AGES 25-34)
Depression
9.1% → 12.4%
A 36% relative increase since 2019, the steepest of any domain in this domain.
↓ IMPROVED (AGES 75+)
Depression
9.5% → 8.4%
Down 12% since 2019, moving in the opposite direction from younger adults.
EXPLORE THE BENCHMARKS
● Mental Health
3 of 9 benchmarks
● Social Connection & Engagement
6 of 9 benchmarks