13.1%
The percentage of young adults who in 2017 said they had experienced symptoms of serious psychological distress in the past month—up from 7.7 percent in 2009, according to an analysis of data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health.
13.2%
The percentage of young adults who in 2017 reported an incidence of major depression in the past month—up from 8.1 percent in 2009.
10.3%
The percentage of young adults who in 2017 reported suicidal thoughts, plans or attempts in the past year—up from 7 percent in 2008. The researchers did not find the same rise in psychological distress, depression or suicidal ideation among older age groups.
Source: Twenge, J., et al. Age, Period, and Cohort Trends in Mood Disorder and Suicide-Related Outcomes in a Nationally Representative Dataset, 2005–17. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 2019.
