October Health – 2025 Report
18-24 Demographic in United States
The leading cause of stress among the 18-24 age group in the United States is typically related to **academic, financial, and career pressures**. Common stressors include: 1. **Student loan debt and financial instability**: Many in this group are concerned about how to afford education, living expenses, or paying off debt. 2. **Academic performance**: For college or university students, meeting academic expectations can be overwhelming. 3. **Employment uncertainty**: Finding, maintaining, or transitioning into stable jobs causes significant stress. 4. **Social pressure and expectations**: Navigating relationships, societal expectations, and social media's influence can be exhausting. 5. **Mental health challenges**: Awareness and prevalence of mental health issues, such as anxiety and depression, are notable in this age group. Offering tools like October's digital group sessions or self-help content could help young individuals learn stress management techniques and develop resilience in these areas.
How mental health affects the 18-24 demographic differently
Stressors Affecting the 18–24 Age Group More Than Other Ages
-
Academic Pressure
- Struggles with exams, deadlines, and balancing academic performance with other responsibilities.
- Pressure to choose the "right" career path.
-
Financial Instability
- Difficulty in managing expenses, student loans, and limited income.
- Uncertainty about financial independence.
-
Uncertainty About the Future
- Anxiety about job prospects, career choices, or life stability.
- Pressure to "have it all figured out."
-
Social Pressure and Comparison
- Navigating relationships, friendships, and family expectations.
- Influence of social media leading to self-comparison and body image issues.
-
Identity Development
- Pressure to establish a sense of self and individuality.
- Struggles with personal values, sexuality, and cultural or societal expectations.
-
Workplace Challenges
- Adjusting to first jobs or early career stress.
- Fear of job insecurity or being underqualified.
If you or your workplace deals with employees in this age group, consider onboarding tools (like October) to provide resources such as therapy sessions or group discussions to support their mental well-being effectively.
Data from October Health
What's driving mental health stresses for the 18-24 demographic in South African?
Proactive mental fitness for high performance staff.
Understand the stresses and workplace challenges of your staff and provide them with the tools to protect their productivity and mental health.