Depression and anxiety are widespread among New York City teens, with nearly half experiencing either condition in recent years, according to a recent mental health report on New York City residents.
Last week, New York City health officials released a brand new, “first-of-its-kind” report that takes a detailed look at the mental health of the millions of people that make up America’s largest city.
The State of New Yorkers’ Mental Health provides a detailed overview of what the mental health of New Yorkers was like before and since the COVID-19 pandemic.
“What the data tells us is that mental health is neither static nor homogenous. We see acute crises in some communities while other communities experience relatively good health outcomes,” said Director General of Health Dr Ashwin Vasan.
In New York City, a city of more than 8 million people, nearly one in five adults is diagnosed with an anxiety disorder, according to the report, and roughly one in four adults experience a mental illness, roughly in line with the national average, it noted.
While the majority of diagnosed adults were able to receive treatment, roughly one-third had unmet need. The report noted that access to care varied by neighborhood, with Asian New Yorkers “being the most underserved.”
The report also delves into how the pandemic has exacerbated feelings of loneliness and sadness: Before the pandemic, about 5% of New Yorkers said they had experienced serious mental distress; that figure jumped to about 14% two years ago, before falling again to 8% in 2023.
“We are also seeing a shifting post-COVID-19 landscape, with New Yorkers recovering from some of the worst effects of the pandemic and long-term effects still occurring,” Dr. Vasan added.
A shocking section of the report found that the majority of New Yorkers have no one they can turn to for emotional support on a regular basis.
“Adults who have witnessed or experienced violence in their neighborhood, encountered rats on the street, were without heat during the recent winter, or recently saw mold growing in their home are more likely to experience severe psychological distress than adults who have not,” the health department said last week.
Among young people living in New York, Latino, black, and white children (ages 3 to 13) were more likely to report “severe psychological distress” than Asian children.
A recent survey conducted last year found that 48% of teenagers reported experiencing symptoms of depression ranging from mild to severe. However, the majority reported feeling a high level of resilience. Common coping mechanisms include listening to music and using social media.
The report also looked at drug use, and it appears New Yorkers still prefer alcohol over marijuana: About 23% of New Yorkers used marijuana in the last year, compared with 45% who drank alcohol.
