The Lingering Mental Health Crisis: How the Pandemic Continues to Shape a Generation
PARIS — For Amelie, a French university student, the Covid-19 pandemic was more than just a global health crisis—it was a personal turning point. “I came face to face with everything I had been repressing—and it triggered an enormous depression,” she told AFP. At just 19 years old when the pandemic began in 2020, Amelie is still grappling with its psychological aftermath, a reality shared by countless young people worldwide.
The pandemic’s mental health toll has been notably severe for younger generations, who faced isolation during what should have been some of the most socially vibrant years of their lives. Research underscores this trend: in France, a fifth of 18-24-year-olds experienced depression in 2021, according to the country’s public health agency. Similarly, in the United States, 37% of high school students reported poor mental health that same year, as highlighted by the Centers for Disease Control and prevention.
A recent study published in The Lancet Psychiatry analyzed over 700,000 Finnish teens and found that symptoms of generalized anxiety, depression, and social anxiety surged during the pandemic and remained elevated in 2023. “The proportion of participants with these symptoms increased from pre-Covid-19 pandemic levels to 2021 and remained at these higher levels in 2023,” the study noted.
The Ripple Effect on Education and Development
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The pandemic’s impact extends beyond mental health, affecting education and emotional development. A 2023 review of 40 studies across 15 countries, published in Nature Human Behavior, revealed that children have yet to recover from notable learning delays. “It’s a real generational problem,” said lead author Bastian Betthauser.
In the UK,the education agency Ofsted reported unprecedented school absences during the 2023/2024 academic year,attributing this to a post-pandemic “shift in attitudes” where attendance is now “viewed more casually.” Simon Kidwell, principal of Hartford Manor Primary School in Cheshire, described the pandemic’s aftermath as a “long tail of challenges.”
While academic recovery has been relatively swift, Kidwell noted a “huge spike in children needing to access mental health services.” Additionally, ther has been a “huge increase” in students requiring support for behavioral challenges or special educational needs. Younger children, in particular, are struggling with speech and language development, a result of disrupted early learning.
A Double-Edged Sword for Neurodivergent Children
For children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or autism spectrum disorder (ASD), the pandemic presented a mixed experience. Selina Warlow, a psychologist at a clinic in Farnham, explained that “a lot of autistic children loved being in lockdown.” The quieter,less overwhelming surroundings of home was a respite from the sensory overload of school. However, others struggled with the loss of structure and routine.
Warlow emphasized the importance of early intervention. “Intervening in those very early years can have a huge amount of impact on the child,” she said. Unluckily, many young children missed out on critical support during the pandemic, leaving lasting gaps in their development.
A Generational Challenge
The pandemic’s legacy is a complex web of mental health struggles, educational setbacks, and developmental delays. As Amelie and millions like her continue to navigate these challenges, the need for robust mental health services and educational support has never been more urgent.
| Key Findings | Source |
|———————————————————————————-|—————————————————————————-|
| 20% of French 18-24-year-olds experienced depression in 2021 | French Public Health Agency |
| 37% of U.S. high school students reported poor mental health in 2021 | Centers for Disease Control and Prevention |
| Anxiety and depression symptoms remain elevated in 2023 | The Lancet Psychiatry |
| Children have yet to recover from pandemic-related learning delays | Nature Human Behaviour |
| UK school absences hit unprecedented levels in 2023/2024 | Ofsted |
The road to recovery is long, but understanding the depth of the pandemic’s impact is the frist step toward healing. As Kidwell aptly put it, “We’ve seen a huge spike in children needing to access mental health services.” Addressing these needs will require sustained effort, resources, and compassion—a challenge that will define this generation’s future.
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