Depression among young people in the United States has grown by more than 100% since 2017, an increase that worries authorities and public health specialists.
In 2025, depression among young people in the United States reached unprecedented levels. Twenty-six percent of adults between the ages of 18 and 29 reported being under medical treatment, according to the Gallup National Health and Well-Being Index survey, released in September.
Eight years earlier, the indicator barely exceeded 13%, reflecting a growth of more than double in less than a decade.
The magnitude of this phenomenon makes it a public health problem that affects both the country’s social dynamics and productive performance.
Experts warn that the causes go beyond a greater willingness to talk about mental health: economic factors, the legacy of the pandemic, and increased loneliness among young people are at play.
An accelerated increase after the pandemic
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), youth depression has been on an upward trend for more than a decade, but the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic marked a turning point.
The health crisis has triggered a surge in demand for psychological care and increased the prevalence of depressive symptoms among adolescents and young adults by more than 60% in the last decade.
Prolonged isolation, uncertainty about the future, and disruption of school and work routines were some of the triggers that accelerated the deterioration of emotional well-being in this age group.
The weight of economic inequality
The Gallup report highlights a direct correlation between depression and socioeconomic status. In 2025, 35.1% of adults living in households with incomes under $24,000 reported receiving treatment, up from 22.1% in 2017.
Difficulty accessing medical services, food insecurity, housing instability, and student debt are identified as factors that increase the risk of developing depressive disorders.
Loneliness, another rising risk factor
The survey also shows that 29% of young people aged 18 to 29 experienced elevated loneliness in 2025, the highest percentage of all age groups. Furthermore, one in three who felt lonely the day before the survey was also being treated for depression, reinforcing the relationship between social isolation and declining mental health.
The index reflects that loneliness intensified after the pandemic and that, unlike older adults, young people today experience the highest levels since 2021.
Social and economic consequences
The effects of depression are not limited to the personal sphere. Gallup estimates that losses to the productive sector amount to $23 billion annually due to absenteeism associated with this diagnosis.
The situation is a source of concern to health authorities, who recognize the need to expand care and prevention programs, especially in low-income communities.
Institutional responses and next steps
The CDC is working with the federal government to strengthen awareness campaigns, reduce stigma, and expand coverage of specialized mental health services. Officials emphasize that more detailed case registration will allow for more effective public policy development.
For the coming years, experts anticipate increased demand for psychological consultations, new early detection strategies, and an institutional effort to reduce economic barriers to accessing treatment. The phenomenon of youth depression is emerging as one of the major public health challenges in the United States.