Youth Mental Health Declines Globally: Argentina Above Average But Faces Challenges
Buenos Aires – A new global assessment of mental health and wellbeing reveals a sustained decline in mental health among young adults aged 18-34, with Argentina showing a comparatively better, though still concerning, trend. The study, conducted by Sapien Labs, indicates increasing difficulties for this age group in navigating daily challenges related to work, study, and social interaction, contrasting with the greater resilience observed in those aged 55 and older.
The assessment, spanning 84 countries, places Argentina at 34th position in , based on a questionnaire evaluating 47 skills. Over 1.1 million individuals participated globally through social media and online platforms, with more than 23,000 respondents from Argentina.
“Today, almost half of young adults suffer from clinically significant mental health problems that substantially impact their ability to function productively in daily life. This represents more than four times the proportion of their parents and grandparents who faced similar situations,” stated Tara Thiagarajan, neuroscientist and founder of Sapien Labs, in Washington. “Collectively, it’s a pattern of declining mental health in each younger generation.”
The research utilizes a metric called the Mental Health Quotient (MHQ), scored on a scale from -100 (distressed) to 200 (thriving). The global average MHQ score is 66, representing individuals who report being fully productive approximately 21 days a month. However, researchers note a underlying trend of worsening mental health with each successive generation.
Argentina’s MHQ score stands at 74, categorizing the country within the “managing” segment. This indicates that, on average, Argentinian adults report being fully productive around 22 days a month. While above the global average, the study highlights a generational gap, with younger Argentinians exhibiting a reduced capacity to cope with daily challenges compared to older generations.
Silvia Blitzer Golombek, regional specialist at Sapien Labs, clarified that the MHQ is not simply a measure of depression or anxiety, nor is it a gauge of life satisfaction. “It’s a composite metric that aggregates assessments of 47 emotional, social, and physical capabilities and challenges that either enable or diminish our ability to function effectively in daily life,” she explained. “changes in the MHQ don’t represent opinions about the external world or current affairs, but rather reflect our fundamental mental capacity. This is of profound importance for our social aptitude. Worldwide, mental health is in crisis.”
Of the 768,448 participants included in the final analysis from the 1,156,207 initial responses, exclusions were made based on difficulty understanding the MHQ, completion times under seven minutes, or repetitive responses – indicators of disengagement, according to researchers.
“Argentina’s mental health presents a striking and concerning contrast,” Blitzer noted. “The country’s position at 34th out of 84 evaluated nations underscores the need for attention.”
The study revealed four key determinants contributing to the observed decline: family and social connections, early smartphone use, spirituality, and frequent consumption of ultra-processed foods. Argentina ranked second, after the Dominican Republic, in the importance of strong family ties, with 70% of participants reporting close relationships with family and friends.
However, both younger and older Argentinians showed a decrease in the relevance of spirituality in their lives. Researchers found that strong family bonds and spirituality are positively correlated with mental wellbeing, reducing the risk of mental distress and increasing coping skills.
The age of first smartphone access also emerged as a significant factor. Argentinians typically receive their first smartphone between the ages of 12 and 13, placing the country 13th out of 79 evaluated nations. Earlier access, particularly before age 13, was linked to increased ideation, aggression, and social disconnection in adulthood.
Finally, the study highlighted a rise in the consumption of ultra-processed foods – products high in sugar, fat, and salt – among younger Argentinians. 57% of participants under 35 reported regular consumption, compared to 31% of those over 55, positioning Argentina in the 24th and 28th spots globally for these age groups, respectively.
“The weakening of family ties quadruples the risk of clinical mental distress. The decline of spirituality is associated with differences of up to 20 points in the MHQ between young people with high and low levels. Early access to smartphones, especially before the age of 13, is linked to suicidal ideation, aggression, and social disconnection in adulthood. And the consumption of ultra-processed foods accounts for between 15% and 30% of the total burden of mental health problems,” explained the Sapien Labs team.
Blitzer emphasized that the report provides valuable insights for both personal lifestyle adjustments and the development of public policies. She suggested measures such as increasing consumption of fresh produce, reading food labels, limiting screen time during family gatherings, and implementing school-based programs to promote mental wellbeing.
“We are finding that the density of psychiatrists or therapists in a country is not associated with the mental health status of its population. If Argentina is an outstanding country in terms of close ties, policies should be considered that address family and friend time. If we have such a powerful resource for wellbeing, why not leverage it and, at the same time, also address the other factors to improve them?” she proposed.