By Domingo Ferrandis
Physical distancing was one of the most visible marks left by the COVID-19 pandemic. The need to "keep our distance" left us craving contact, a need for skin-to-skin connection that we couldn’t fulfill. But when the world returned to "normal," some patterns of isolation and emotional distance lingered. Despite digital closeness, today’s youth face a silent epidemic of loneliness and disconnection.
"We live in an age of information overload and a hunger for meaning."— Byung-Chul Han, philosopher and essayist
Interpersonal relationships, especially for young people, are not only a source of support and affection but also a battlefield where belonging and approval are constantly measured. Many feel the need to drink, take drugs, or adopt behaviors they wouldn’t engage in alone, just to fit in with other young people. The pressure to be accepted in their social environment weighs more than ever, and those who fail to adapt or stand out are trapped in a constant struggle between their authentic identity and what they think they need to be.
"Fitting in doesn’t always mean belonging, but for many young people, this difference is lost in the desperate attempt to be accepted."
Beyond clinical diagnoses, there are subtle everyday imbalances, those "quirks" that don’t fit any medical label but still impact young people’s relationships and self-image. Unexplainable fears, insecurities, complexes, disproportionate reactions to criticism. Uncontrolled impulses, toxic relationships they repeatedly fall into, or moments of submission just to please others. And although they may not carry a "diagnosis," these experiences become embedded, generating unease and slowly contaminating their self-perception and their way of relating to the world.
The mental health of young people faces challenges that few fully understand. This is no longer about cinematic mental disorders, nor just genetics or personal epigenetic predispositions. We are dealing with an unstable environment with changes, expectations, and global crises that affect their sense of identity and security—factors difficult to handle, and if this burden isn’t addressed, we risk seeing a generation trapped in unhealthy self-dialogue.
Current Eurostat figures are clear: 20% of young people in Europe experience some type of mental health problem.
"The small inner battles we fight every day gradually shape who we are and how we love."
What destabilizes the minds of young people? More than a mere imbalance, it’s as if reality itself pushes them to the edge, with tensions they don’t choose and can barely withstand. Today, amid an overload of stimuli, the pressure to fit in, and fear of failure, young people live in a battlefield that undermines their well-being.
What breaks the mental harmony of young people? More than a mere "imbalance," it’s as if reality itself is pushing them to the edge, subjecting them to pressures they didn’t choose and can hardly bear. Today, with an overload of stimuli, the pressure to fit in, and the fear of failure, young people live on a battlefield that chips away at their mental well-being.
Fear of Failure: Young People Living on a Battlefield Undermining Their Mental Well-being
First comes the pressure to be "someone," to project an image of success, to display every step as a polished, perfect version of themselves. Social media, that distorted reflection, always shows the bright side and rarely reveals the wear, doubts, or failures. The result? Pure anxiety. In Europe, 60% of young people admit that social media makes them feel insecure. Everything is measured in likes and comments, and their sense of self-worth, unknowingly, is left at the mercy of a screen.
"It's like living with a permanent mask. We know it's not real, but we're all trapped in this game."
The fear of the future, once an abstract concern, has become a real burden for Generation Z. It’s no longer just “what will I be,” but “will there even be a future?” Climate change has shifted from theory to a tangible threat, a countdown that breeds eco-anxiety. More than 50% of young Europeans feel trapped in this spiral of uncertainty.“What’s the point in studying, planning, if the planet is falling apart?” expresses Greta Thunberg, verbalizing her generation's anguish.
Another threat to mental health is screens, which, instead of connecting, leave an overwhelming emptiness. Human contact has been replaced by emojis, and face-to-face friendships by quick messages. “We’re tethered to our phones, always searching for something more, and it’s exhausting,” says psychologist Adam Alter. A Eurofound report shows that 50% of young Europeans feel lonely despite being “connected” nearly 24/7. In this digital solitude, emotional support is weak.
Social pressure has always existed, but in the digital era, it’s intensified. The need to fit in, to "belong" to a group, or to follow trends, drives many young people to adopt behaviors they don’t necessarily want. In this context, bullying (whether physical, verbal, or digital) and sextortion (pressure to share intimate images) create a constant sense of fear that affects their mental stability.
The pressure to display an idealized and often hypersexualized version of themselves has created a new kind of insecurity. The easy access to sexualized images and the need to be “liked” on social media lead young people to obsess over their body image. This has resulted in a rise in eating disorders and low self-esteem. The American Academy of Pediatrics warns that digital hypersexualization is harming young people’s psychological well-being, distorting their self-image.
“I have hundreds of online friends, but I feel like none of them really know me.”
With AI advancing at a dizzying pace, uncertainty arises: will it replace us? Will there be jobs in 20 years? Rather than inspire, AI has become a source of anxiety, and doubts about the future weigh even more heavily.
“AI will be as useful as it is dangerous; it confronts us with a future we don’t control,” reflects Yuval Noah Harari.
Eurofound notes that 60% of young Europeans view the future with pessimism and do not believe in economic growth that will benefit their generation.
Faced with this reality, drugs, online gambling, and social media provide momentary relief but become invisible prisons. Eurostat figures indicate that one in three young people in Europe suffers from some form of addiction, whether to substances or digital entertainment.
Liquid modernity, as defined by Zygmunt Bauman, has created an environment where nothing is solid, and everything changes at breakneck speed. In a world of fleeting connections and endless stimuli, young people seek an anchor in their relationships. But this search becomes a trap. The brain, starving for meaningful experiences, falls into impulsive behaviors and a lack of self-control that often leads to regretful situations.
Influenced by a constant flow of information and the pressure to stand out, they seek validation through the urban tribe they belong to. Friends' approval weighs more than that of their parents, and often, being accepted feels more important than being authentic. When they’re with their group, they’re capable of doing things they would never do alone. But in the privacy of their room, when the lights go out and the party is over, regret, shame, and self-criticism appear.
"The need to fit in often outweighs the desire to be authentic."
For LGBTQ+ youth, the environment in which they grow up, especially in patriarchal communities, retrograde cultures, and religious settings, becomes a source of rejection and isolation. Instead of finding refuge in their homes, schools, or communities, they face a wall of misunderstanding, shame, and guilt. Patriarchy enforces rigid gender roles—male or female—and any different identity is seen as a threat or "anomaly." This fosters shame and self-repression, leading them to hide their identity and damaging their mental health. Studies by The Trevor Project show that LGBTQ+ youth in patriarchal settings are at higher risk of depression and suicide attempts.
In traditionalist communities, "family honor" takes precedence over individuality, making young people who express diverse identities perceived as threats. According to Stonewall, 52% of LGBTQ+ youth in these environments experience isolation and fear of rejection, which increases their risk of mental health issues. For young people in strict religious settings, their identity is often viewed as a "moral failing." A study by the Pew Research Center indicates that 40% of LGBTQ+ youth in religious communities report feeling sinful, fostering a cycle of guilt and self-repression. This spiritual rejection proves devastating; instead of finding comfort, many see themselves as "monsters" or failures, intensifying their loneliness and despair.
The International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association (ILGA) indicates that LGBTQ+ youth are up to five times more likely to suffer from anxiety, depression, and self-harm. In settings where prejudice persists, the pressure can be so intense that, according to the WHO, 40% of LGBTQ+ youth in Europe consider suicide at least once in their lives.
"Shame and guilt are burdens we’re taught from a young age. They make us feel broken, and those scars endure."
A UNICEF report reveals that young immigrants are twice as likely to develop anxiety or depression, as they live between two worlds. Cultural differences, racism, and the sense of not belonging create constant stress that affects their mental health.
Statistics: In Europe, 35% of immigrant youth between 15 and 29 years old report feeling isolated and face cultural discrimination.
The mental well-being of young people is not a luxury; it’s a necessity. We live in a world of continuous challenges, and it is vital that we support them so they can navigate these times with clarity, hope, and resilience.
#MentalHealthMatters #YouthEmpowerment #ModernChallenges #AuthenticityOverApproval #EmotionalHealth #ConnectingInIsolation
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