Depression and Anxiety Can Become 'Contagious' Among Teens, Study Finds; OECD Warns of Economic Impact

Adolescent mental health is increasingly recognized not just as a medical issue, but also an economic one. A significant study published in JAMA Psychiatry, involving over 600,000 adolescents, indicates that the risk of developing mental health disorders increases when a close friend is struggling with such issues. This phenomenon, where mental health problems appear to spread among peers, is raising alarms.

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The warning comes in the context of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) sounding the alarm: the deterioration of the well-being of the new generations began long before the pandemic and, if not stopped, will have severe long-term economic consequences.

The findings suggest that young people in the social circles of individuals with mental health disorders are considerably more prone to receiving similar diagnoses. This heightened risk was even more pronounced if the friends came from families with a genetic predisposition to conditions like depression or other psychological disorders. The study, detailed in The New York Post, found the association to be strongest among high school students.

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Young people with mental health problems encounter school difficulties more often, have a more difficult transition to the labor market, and are more prone to periods of inactivity or unemployment.

However, experts caution that emotional vulnerabilities are not strictly "contagious" in a literal sense. Psychiatrist Consuelo Cagande explains that during adolescence, the need for belonging is often met through friendships rather than family. When one teen openly discusses their struggles, others may become more attuned to their own emotions and recognize symptoms they previously ignored. Cagande stresses that peer support, while valuable, is insufficient for serious issues, urging friends to involve adults if a peer expresses severe depression or suicidal thoughts.

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The association was strongest among high school students.

The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) has issued a stark warning: the decline in youth mental well-being began long before the pandemic and poses severe long-term economic risks if not addressed. The OECD's reports highlight that young people with mental health challenges face greater difficulties in school, have a harder transition into the workforce, and are more susceptible to periods of inactivity or unemployment. This translates directly into significant economic losses, with mental health conditions estimated to reduce the EU's GDP by approximately 1.7% annually.

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When an adolescent talks openly about their states, others become more attentive to their own emotions and come to recognize symptoms they previously ignored.