Young adults struggling with mental health, finances: data

Young adults in Toronto are struggling more than previous years — and to a greater extent than their older peers — with deteriorating mental health, crippling financial concerns and growing social isolation, according to an organization that tracks the city's quality of life.

In a new research brief released Wednesday, the Toronto Foundation highlights the disproportionate challenges Torontonians between the ages of 18 and 29 face as they navigate the transition from adolescence to adulthood.

The brief paints a bleak picture of a cohort strained by the rising cost of living, the shift to hybrid work and difficulty building social connections, even as the COVID-19 pandemic fades from view.

"The pandemic really shone a light into the fact that there were all these sort of fault lines within our society, and it certainly exacerbated a lot of pre-existing challenges," said Mohamed Huque, director of community impact at the Toronto Foundation.

"With 20-somethings in particular, because it's such a critical stage in one's development, I think it can have a really detrimental effect long term if we don't stem the tide," he said.

The brief is based on an analysis of data from a variety of sources, including the previously-released 2022 Toronto Social Capital Study and the 2023 Vital Signs Report, which found all Toronto residents are less civically engaged, more lonely and struggling more with mental health. 

Young adults fare worse on multiple indicators

The main findings of the report are:

• 40 per cent of 20-somethings were concerned last year about paying their rent or mortgage each month vs. 22 per cent of those 30 and older.

• Twenty-somethings reported a six-fold increase in food bank usage in 2023 compared to 2019 vs. a three-fold increase among those 30 years and older.

• 45 per cent of 20-somethings reported their mental health was fair or poor last year vs. 33 per cent of those thirty and older.

• 44 per cent of 20-somethings reported feeling lonely at least three days a week in 2023 vs. 31 per cent of those 30 and older.

The data showed self-reported mental health among 20-somethings in 2023 dropped down to similar levels as 2020 — the first year of the pandemic — after increasing somewhat in 2021 and 2022, according to the brief.

The number of 20-somethings reporting concerns about rent or mortgages almost doubled (to 40 per cent) between 2022 and 2023, when inflation reached a 40-year high of 6.8 per cent on an annual basis.

The brief also found a correlation in the data between increased time spent on digital devices and symptoms of depression and anxiety, although it was unclear whether more screen time caused poor mental health or vice versa.

Stachen Lett-Frederick, executive director of Frontlines Toronto, says she's not surprised by the findings.

Lett-Frederick says the number of young people accessing services and programs at her youth charity, which serves the low-income Weston neighbourhood, doubled between 2022 and 2023.

"It is really disheartening that we're seeing more and more young people having to rely on social systems to to make ends meet," she said.

She says more young people are coming to her organization hungry, homeless, jobless or depressed, with some even considering suicide.

"There's a lot of work that needs to be done," Lett-Frederick said.

"For our young people to be mentally well, they need to be economically well."

Young people want more face time: brief

The brief concludes that while the financial challenges faced by this generation are "immense and complex," the isolation challenges are "just as detrimental" but can be addressed more easily. 

One of the most significant data points that nods to potential isolation solutions, according to Huque, is a clear desire among 20-somethings to have more face-to-face interactions.

The brief cited data from an Environics Institute survey showing that 50 per cent of those aged 18 to 29 only want to work from home one day a week or less, while 72 per cent of those aged 30 or older wanted to work from home at least two to three days a week.

"Hybrid works really well and is desired by some employees, but then for others, they have different needs, and being able to accommodate those different needs is such an important piece," said Huque.

The Toronto Foundation recommends employers encourage in-person work, provide training and mentorship opportunities, train managers to recognize mental health issues and provide greater access to employee support programs. 

The foundation also has recommendations for social service providers and policymakers. They include making in-person services the default, investing more in activities that foster well-being and connection among young adults and fostering more vibrant community spaces.