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Youth

Global Youth Mental Health Burden on the Rise: Study Warns of Escalating Needs

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

A comprehensive study analyzing data from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2021 has highlighted a significant increase in the burden of mental disorders, substance use disorders, and self-harm among global youth over the past three decades. The research, published in the journal Translational Psychiatry, found that in 2021, the global standardized prevalence of mental disorders among youths aged 10-24 years reached 14,778 per 100,000, representing a 6.8% increase from 1990.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study utilized data from GBD 2021, focusing on youths aged 10-24 years globally, with data spanning from 1990 to 2021.
  • The results showed that anxiety disorders and depressive disorders exhibited the highest prevalence among youths, with females having higher rates of anxiety and depressive disorders, whereas males were more affected by substance use disorders (SUDs) and conduct disorders.
  • Geographical and socio-economic variations were pronounced, with high Socio-demographic Index (SDI) regions exhibiting the most significant prevalence of most mental disorders and SUDs.
  • The study highlights a significant rise in the burden of mental disorders among global youth over three decades, exacerbated during the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • Targeted mental health interventions and resource allocation are crucial to address the escalating mental health needs of young populations.
  • Authors of the study include Jin-Jie Xu, Lu-Yu Ding, Cong-Cong Sun, Yu Qiao, Mei-Ti Wang, Jin-Xin Zheng, and Gang Wang, from the National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders & Beijing Key Laboratory of Mental Disorders, Beijing Anding Hospital, Capital Medical University.

Statistics:

  • The global standardized prevalence of mental disorders among youths aged 10-24 years reached 14,778 per 100,000 in 2021.
  • There was a 6.8% increase in mental disorders among youths from 1990 to 2021.
  • Anxiety disorders and depressive disorders exhibited the highest prevalence among youths, with a prevalence rate of 8,242 per 100,000 in 2021.
  • Substance use disorders (SUDs) decreased by 20.3% since 1990, while self-harm rates decreased by 35% since 1990.
  • The burden was most pronounced in the 20-24 age group, with notable gender disparities: females had higher rates of anxiety and depressive disorders, whereas males were more affected by SUDs and conduct disorders.

Sources:

  • Jin-Jie Xu, et al. (2025) The burden of mental disorders, substance use disorders, and self-harm among youths globally: findings from the 2021 Global Burden of Disease study. Translational Psychiatry, 2025;15(1):346.
  • NewsRx. Researchers at Capital Medical University Report New Data on Depression (The burden of mental disorders, substance use disorders, and self-harm among youths globally: findings from the 2021 Global Burden of Disease study). Mental Health Weekly Digest. October 13, 2025; p 727.

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