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Mental Well-being Declines Post-Covid, Especially Among Gen Z: Study


A recent report by the Sapien Labs Centre for Human Brain and Mind at Krea University, titled the ‘Mental State of India,’ delves into the mental health of primarily English-speaking, internet-enabled individuals, with a particular focus on the 18-24 age group. The study examines how the mental well-being of this demographic has evolved since the onset of the pandemic in 2020. The research, based on data collected from 106,427 respondents across 36 Indian states and union territories between April 2020 and August 2023 as part of the Global Mind Project, highlights a decline in mental health scores for Indians across different age groups (18-74 years) during this period, with the steepest decline observed among 18-24-year-olds.

While the mental health of youth has suffered, the study does not find economic factors to be the primary drivers of this decline, as the trend is consistent across income levels. Interestingly, there is also less variation in mental health scores among 18-24-year-olds across states compared to older age groups. Some southern states, like Tamil Nadu and Kerala, fare better in terms of mental health outcomes than their northern counterparts. Despite the prevalent discourse surrounding academic stress and socio-economic influences such as income and employment, the study emphasizes the importance of identifying early risk factors to shape preventive strategies. The study raises concerns that India’s sizable youth population, exceeding 200 million, may face significant challenges when entering the job market.

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Shailender Swaminathan, Director of the Sapien Labs Centre for the Human Brain and Mind in India, suggests a shift from a reactive approach to mental health toward a more preventative one. He highlights the need for robust data to provide early warning signs and guide policy and advocacy efforts. The Sapien Labs Centre for the Human Brain and Mind in India is a collaborative initiative between Sapien Labs (USA) and Krea University, aiming to advance research and knowledge related to the human brain and mind.

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