Why Are Young Indians Struggling More Than Older Generations?
India is facing a silent but serious mental health shift. According to the Global Mind Health 2025 report by Sapien Labs under the Global Mind Project, Indian young adults aged 18 to 34 rank 60th out of 84 countries in Mind Health Quotient (MHQ) scores. Their average MHQ score is just 33, placing them in the “Distressed or Struggling” category.
In contrast, Indians aged 55 and above score nearly 96 to 100, ranking 49th globally and aligning more closely with functional mental health norms. This sharp generational gap raises an important question: Why are young Indians struggling more than their parents and grandparents?
Let us understand what this means, why it is happening, and what can be done.
What Is the Mind Health Quotient (MHQ)?
The Mind Health Quotient or MHQ is a comprehensive measure of mental well-being. It is not limited to anxiety or depression diagnoses. Instead, it evaluates emotional, cognitive, social, and physical capacities that help a person manage life, work, and relationships.
Researchers assess factors such as emotional regulation, ability to focus, resilience to stress, social functioning, and overall psychological stability. These combined scores create the MHQ.
A higher MHQ score indicates that a person is managing or succeeding in life. A lower score reflects distress and difficulty functioning.
Young Indians scoring 33 on average means many are struggling with basic mental functioning, not just occasional stress.
How Was the Study Conducted?
The report is part of Sapien Labs’ Global Mind Project. It collected responses from over one million internet-enabled and literate individuals across 84 countries in Asia, Africa, Europe, and the Americas.
In India alone, 78,093 people participated. This included nearly 29,594 individuals aged 18 to 34 and over 24,088 individuals aged 55 and above.
Researchers state that the findings reflect a structural, long-term generational shift rather than a temporary post-pandemic issue.
Why Are Young Adults in India Struggling More?
According to Tara Thiagarajan, founder and chief scientist at Sapien Labs, this is not just about more diagnoses of anxiety or depression.
The real issue is a decline in core mental functioning among younger generations. Many young adults struggle to regulate emotions, maintain focus, build stable relationships, and recover from stress.
This affects daily life. It impacts holding a job, managing family expectations, and sustaining friendships.
The decline is seen globally, but India mirrors these patterns closely.
The Role of Family Bonds in Mental Health
One protective factor in India is strong family bonds. India ranks 28th globally on family closeness for both age groups.
However, the data shows a decline among younger people. Around 64 percent of young adults aged 18 to 34 report being close to their families. Among those above 55, this number is 78 percent.
The report highlights that people who do not get along with their family are almost four times more likely to fall into the distressed category. Around 44 percent of individuals with poor family relationships are struggling, compared to only 12 percent of those close to family members.
This clearly shows that family support is strongly linked to better mental health in India.
Spirituality and Sense of Meaning
Spirituality is another key factor. It provides a sense of purpose, connection, and emotional grounding.
The report notes that spirituality and family closeness are declining across younger generations worldwide, including in India.
In a fast-paced, achievement-driven culture, many young adults feel disconnected from traditional belief systems and community support structures.
This loss of meaning can increase stress, loneliness, and emotional instability.
Smartphone Exposure at an Early Age
One major factor highlighted in the report is early smartphone exposure.
Globally, the average age of first smartphone use is 14. In India, it is 16.5 years, but this age is steadily falling among younger children.
Smartphones are not just communication tools. They expose children to social media algorithms, online comparison, digital validation, and constant stimulation.
When children grow up in digital environments that prioritize engagement over well-being, it can affect emotional regulation, attention span, and self-esteem.
The report suggests that smartphones are increasingly shaping children’s development while parental interaction decreases due to busy lifestyles.
Ultra-Processed Food and Brain Health
Another surprising factor is diet.
Among Indian young adults aged 18 to 34, 44 percent report consuming ultra-processed foods regularly. In contrast, only 11 percent of those aged 55 and above consume such foods.
Ultra-processed foods often contain additives, artificial colors, preservatives, and chemicals. Researchers suggest that rising exposure to food-related neurotoxins may negatively affect nervous system functioning.
The brain and nervous system play a central role in regulating emotions and thoughts. If diet quality declines, mental health can also suffer.
Wealth and Development Do Not Guarantee Better Mind Health
An interesting finding in the report is that mental health decline among youth is more pronounced in wealthier and more developed countries.
Countries in Sub-Saharan Africa such as Ghana, Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Kenya, and Tanzania show relatively better youth mind health compared to countries like Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong, the United Kingdom, and China.
This suggests that economic growth alone does not protect mental health.
In India, despite rising income levels and digital progress, young adults are still struggling.
Is the Pandemic the Only Reason?
The COVID-19 pandemic did worsen mental health globally. Young adults experienced isolation, career uncertainty, academic disruption, and financial stress.
However, researchers say the decline began even before the pandemic. Young adults under 35 were already struggling relative to older generations.
The pandemic caused a sharp drop, but recovery has not happened. This indicates deeper structural issues in modern lifestyles.
How Does MHQ Impact the Economy?
Mental health is not only a personal issue. It has social and economic implications.
The report states that MHQ is linearly related to productivity. Lower MHQ scores mean reduced productivity, lower efficiency at work, and higher burnout.
The Social Self sub-measure, which reflects social functioning, is negatively correlated with violent crime rates. As social functioning declines, risks of aggression and crime may increase.
This suggests that declining mental health among youth can affect economic growth and social stability.
Mental Health Spending Versus Outcomes
The report also highlights that many Western countries have significantly increased spending on mental health research and treatment.
For example, the United States spent billions of dollars on research and treatment over the past decade. The United Kingdom also invested heavily through the National Health Service.
Despite this, mental health outcomes have not improved significantly. This suggests that treating symptoms alone is not enough.
Root causes must be addressed.
Root Causes of the Mental Health Decline
According to the researchers, several structural factors are driving the crisis:
- Diminished family bonds
- Reduced spirituality and community connection
- Early smartphone exposure
- High consumption of ultra-processed food
- Reduced parent-child interaction
- Modern lifestyles misaligned with human biology
These factors together create chronic stress and reduced emotional resilience.
What Can Young Adults in India Do?
While structural changes take time, individuals can take steps to protect their mental health.
Strengthen family relationships. Regular conversations and emotional sharing can improve stability.
Limit smartphone usage. Avoid excessive social media and set screen-time boundaries.
Improve diet. Reduce ultra-processed food and increase natural, home-cooked meals.
Reconnect with meaning. Whether through spirituality, meditation, volunteering, or community service, finding purpose is essential.
Spend time in nature. Although not covered in the report, research consistently shows that outdoor exposure improves mental well-being.
Seek professional help when needed. Therapy and counseling can provide coping tools.
What Should Parents and Society Focus On?
Parents should be mindful of early digital exposure.
Encourage outdoor play, face-to-face communication, and emotional expression.
Schools and workplaces should promote mental health education, stress management programs, and healthy lifestyle habits.
Policy-level changes should focus on regulating harmful additives in food and promoting awareness about digital well-being.
Mental health is not only a medical issue. It is a societal issue.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the MHQ score?
The Mind Health Quotient is a comprehensive measure of mental functioning that includes emotional, cognitive, social, and physical well-being indicators.
Why do Indian young adults have lower MHQ scores?
Factors include early smartphone exposure, reduced family closeness, increased ultra-processed food consumption, reduced spirituality, and modern lifestyle stress.
Is this decline only because of COVID-19?
No. The decline started before the pandemic. COVID-19 worsened the situation but is not the sole cause.
How does family closeness affect mental health?
People who are close to family members are significantly less likely to fall into the distressed category. Family support provides emotional stability.
Can better income improve mental health?
The report suggests that family closeness matters more than income in determining mental well-being.
What can individuals do to improve their MHQ?
Improve relationships, reduce screen time, eat healthier food, spend time in nature, and seek professional help when necessary.
Conclusion
The Global Mind Health 2025 report highlights a serious generational mental health shift in India. Young adults aged 18 to 34 are struggling significantly more than older generations.
With an average MHQ score of 33, Indian youth fall into the distressed category, while those above 55 remain closer to normal mental functioning levels.
This is not just about rising anxiety or depression. It reflects deeper structural changes in lifestyle, technology use, diet, and social connections.
India still holds protective cultural strengths such as strong family bonds. However, these are weakening among younger generations.
If we want a mentally stronger future generation, we must address root causes, not just symptoms. Strengthening family ties, regulating digital exposure, improving diet, and restoring meaning and connection in life are crucial steps forward.
The mental health of India’s youth is not just a personal matter. It is the foundation of the country’s social and economic future.
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