Young adults from Noord-Holland Noord more often suffer from psychological problems than two years ago. This is apparent from the ‘Young adults monitor 2021’ of the GGD Hollands Noorden, which calls the results ‘disturbing’.
–
More than 24 percent of the surveyed young people indicated that they suffered from a psychological disorder, such as anxiety and depression. That is four percent more than in the previous survey two years ago. In addition, more young people are thinking about suicide: 25 percent of those surveyed, compared to 19 percent in 2019.
–
The Young Adult Monitor 2021 is a large, anonymous online survey in which almost 6000 young people from the target group 16 to 25 years old participated, between May and August 2021. The participants answered questions about their physical and psychological health, well-being, use of substances, sexuality, exercise, loneliness, informal care and finances.
The aim of the study is to prevent or further reduce alcohol and drug use among young people and young adults.
–
The GGD calls it ‘probable’ that the corona crisis has affected the mental health of young adults in the past eighteen months. Of the respondents, 39 percent experience (much) more stress than before the crisis; 23 percent indicate that the stress was caused by the crisis.
Binge drinkers and drunkenness
But there are also positive results to report. For example, the percentage of young adults from North Holland North who have ever drunk alcohol has fallen by 4 percent: from over 85 percent in 2019 to 81 percent now. Also, fewer people from the target group engage in ‘binge drinking’ (drinking more than five drinks per occasion) and the number of young adults who have ever been drunk has decreased.
The GGD has also looked at the possible influence of the corona crisis in this area. Of young adults who drink alcohol, 18 percent now drink more than before the crisis. 40 percent drink the same amount of alcohol; 42 percent indicate that they consume less alcohol.
Fewer hard drugs and laughing gas, but just as many smokers
Another positive result is the fact that the use of hard drugs among young adults has fallen by two percent, from 26 percent in 2019 to 24 percent today. Furthermore, fewer people in the target group use laughing gas: only 2 percent, compared to 6 percent two years ago.
The use of soft drugs has remained ‘reasonably stable’ on the whole, according to the GGD. Of the people who have ever smoked, 41 percent started smoking more during the corona pandemic. 36 percent of this group indicates that they smoke the same amount; 23 percent have started smoking weed less.
The GGD calls it ‘remarkable’ that the results for smoking show no real improvement. About 19 percent of young adults smoke regularly, the same percentage as in 2019.
–
