Populations at Higher Risk for Mental Health Struggles

While mental health challenges can affect anyone, research shows that certain populations are more vulnerable to psychological distress. People around the world live diverse lives, and with these differences come unique stressors that shape mental health outcomes. Social determinants such as socioeconomic status and ethnicity can contribute to feelings of isolation and reduced access to care. Age-related expectations and pressures also place additional strain on individuals, particularly during key life transitions. This blog will explore the populations most at risk for mental health difficulties and examine the underlying factors contributing to these disparities, with the goal of promoting greater awareness, safety, and well-being.

Youth and Adolescents

Youth and adolescence represent one of the most vulnerable stages for mental health. This period is marked by rapid development as young people form a sense of self, navigating peer relationships, and planning for the future. Lin and Guo (2024) highlight that psychological disorders often first emerge during adolescence due to multiple risk factors. The physical changes of puberty may trigger body image concerns, hormonal fluctuations, and heightened self-consciousness. Social pressures add further stress, as adolescents strive to fit in, develop meaningful friendships, and begin exploring romantic relationships. At the same time, many face unrealistic expectations to excel academically, secure opportunities for the future, and balance personal responsibilities. When these demands are unmet, feelings of inadequacy, anxiety, and depression may arise, sometimes leading to suicidal thoughts. Protecting mental well-being during this stage involves developing healthy coping strategies, building resilience, and cultivating supportive relationships with peers and loved ones. Balancing academics and personal life while making time for rest and enjoyable activities fosters stability. Though growing up presents many challenges, it also offers opportunities for personal growth and habit-building, laying the foundation for adulthood.

Older Adults

On the opposite end of the spectrum, just as youth and adolescents face challenges during their life transitions, adults also struggle with the transition of getting older. As people age, physical health often declines, bringing changes to the body, reduced mobility, slower recovery times, and an increased risk of chronic illness. These changes can lead to a loss of independence, which may be deeply frustrating when individuals are no longer able to perform activities they used to, such as driving, participating in physical activities, or managing household tasks. Aging can also be accompanied by grief and loneliness, particularly as loved ones pass away and limited mobility making it harder to go places and stay socially engaged. According to Elshaikh et al. (2023), another significant risk factor is that many older adults do not seek professional help. Barriers such as stigma, limited accessibility, financial constraints, and a low perceived need for treatment often prevent them from receiving mental health support. However, while the body may not function as it once did, it is never too late to nurture the mind. Upasen et al. (2024) found that resilience-building, access to guidance, and strong social support from family and friends can help older adults overcome the mental challenges that come with aging, and can become better equipped to maintain better mental well-being.

Minorities

In today’s world, even with the progress society has made, many people are still treated unfairly because of their differences. Individuals from minority groups often face discrimination, racism, stigma, and harmful stereotypes, which can be especially damaging when others automatically make negative assumptions and act on them. These experiences, including microaggressions, can accumulate over time, leading to anger, anxiety, social exclusion, and unhealthy environments. Research supports these impacts as Wen et al. (2023) found that racial minorities such as Hispanics, Asians, and Black individuals report the highest rates of psychological distress linked to discrimination and perceived bias. Similarly, Wittgens et al. (2022) found that sexual minorities, including those in the LGBTQ+ community, had two to five times higher odds of experiencing mental health disorders compared to heterosexuals, and were more likely to struggle with substance use and suicidal thoughts. Coping with the mental health effects of being part of a marginalized group can be especially difficult when peers or community members do not share that identity. However, acknowledging and validating personal experiences is an important first step. It is important to remember that these negative interactions reflect the behavior of others, not one’s own identity. Finding a supportive community of people with shared experiences can also provide valuable social support, reduce isolation, and offer a safe environment. These connections can offer strategies for dealing with discrimination and reinforce a sense of pride and self-worth by highlighting the positive aspects of one’s identity.

Low-Income & Unemployed Individuals

The term “financial freedom” refers to having enough resources to live comfortably, with the ability to choose where you live, what you eat, and the amenities and pleasures you enjoy. In contrast, having little money can create a sense of restriction and vulnerability. Low-income individuals are at greater risk for mental health difficulties because financial instability often means constant worry about meeting basic needs such as housing, food, and clothing. Living paycheck to paycheck or managing debt creates ongoing stress and anxiety, while demanding jobs with long hours and low pay can be physically exhausting and mentally draining. These pressures frequently spill into family and relationships, where financial conflicts may lead to tension and hostility at home. To make matters worse, low-income individuals are also unable to splurge on stress-relieving activities and amenities, keeping their mental state at an all time low. Research by Sareen et al. (2011) found that individuals in the U.S. with lower household incomes faced a significantly higher risk of developing mood, anxiety, and substance use disorders. Although caring for mental health during financial hardship is difficult, neglecting it only worsens the situation, especially since money problems are rarely solved quickly. Instead, it is crucial to have access to strong support systems so that people around you can help ease your burden and provide a much needed stress relief outlet. It is also important to prioritize self-care and focus on reachable goals that are within your control in order to slowly but surely come up with a plan to get back on your feet.

Everyone

While groups such as youth, older adults, minorities, and low-income individuals are statistically more vulnerable to mental health challenges, the reality is that anyone can experience them. Every person will face major life transitions, the loss of loved ones, periods of loneliness, and emotional strain from daily stressors. Because these challenges are inevitable, it is important to prepare for them. Strengthening emotional resilience helps the mind adapt to hardship. Having healthy coping mechanisms to help yourself through tough times. Surrounding yourself with caring peers who support and encourage you. Acknowledging and validating your experiences and feelings to prevent self-hate. Acknowledging and validating your feelings prevents self-blame, while prioritizing self-care and setting attainable goals create a sense of balance and progress. By practicing these habits, you equip yourself to face mental health challenges with confidence and remind yourself that adversity can be overcome, allowing happiness and well-being to remain within reach.

References

Elshaikh, U., Sheik, R., Saeed, R. K. M., Chivese, T., & Hassan, D. A. (2023). Barriers and facilitators of older adults for professional mental health help-seeking: a systematic review. BMC Geriatrics, 23(1).
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12877-023-04229-x

Lin, J., & Guo, W. (2024). The Research on Risk Factors for Adolescents’ Mental Health. Behavioral Sciences, 14(4), 263.
https://doi.org/10.3390/bs14040263

Sareen, J., Afifi, T. O., McMillan, K. A., & Asmundson, G. J. G. (2011). Relationship between household income and mental disorders. Archives of General Psychiatry, 68(4), 419. https://doi.org/10.1001/archgenpsychiatry.2011.15

Upasen, R., Saengpanya, W., Awae, W., & Prasitvej, P. (2024). The influence of resilience and social support on mental health of older adults living in community: a cross-sectional study. BMC Psychology, 12(1).
https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-024-01892-6

Wen, M., Shi, L., Zhang, D., Li, Y., Chen, Z., Chen, B., Chen, L., Zhang, L., Li, H., Li, J., Han, X., & Su, D. (2023). Racial-ethnic disparities in psychological distress during the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States: the role of exerienced discrimination and perceived racial bias. BMC Public Health, 23(1).
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-023-15912-4

Wittgens, C., Fischer, M. M., Buspavanich, P., Theobald, S., Schweizer, K., & Trautmann, S. (2022). Mental health in people with minority sexual orientations: A meta‐analysis of population‐based studies. Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica, 145(4), 357–372.
https://doi.org/10.1111/acps.13405