Millennials have been associated with many negative connotations, “generation panic” being the latest.
But it’s a sad fact anxiety is crippling the lives of young people, so many of whom are struggling to see what sort of future lies ahead.
I think it is fair to say we are the ones receiving the hardest punch when it comes to the long-term aftermath of the recession as we continuously have to worry about ever owning our own home.
But that isn’t the only social issue that is causing so many young people to struggle to get out of bed in the mornings.
We have no sense of security in nearly all aspects of our lives. And before calling me a snowflake just hear me out.
Not only have we no sense of security in owning a home because of the failures of the past, this has a knock-on effect for so many other things including starting a family.
Young couples across Ireland have taken out a pen and paper to see how financially stable they would be in their early 30s – and the findings are bleak.
The combination of a low wage and a costly standard of living would push many of them into poverty. And not having a home of their own adds to the difficulties.
The impact of that is causing serious anxiety for those who worry about the chances of becoming pregnant later in life.
And that’s for the women who are lucky enough to have met someone, because let me tell you the crowd of single young men out there today only add to the problem.
This society and the social media world has created this lack of security when it comes to relationships.
Shows like Love Island, where gym-ripped men tell beautiful women, “I’m happy with you but I’m wondering if I could be happier,” have now found their way into the real world and not only on reality TV.
And then we’re plagued by physical perfectionism that is portrayed online, which in turn means we put ourselves under immense pressure to have this virtual superficial life to try and meet expectations.
Mental Health Ireland reports one in six people will experience a mental health issue like anxiety.
More and more women in their 20s are struggling with many undiagnosed.
TV host Caroline Flack recently opened up to her 2.3 million Instagram followers, revealing she is battling anxiety.
The presenter said “the pressures of life” were taking a toll on her mental health.
And I can see why. She is constantly scrutinised about her biological clock, being single and her failed relationships in nearly every interview.
I have had my own experience with anxiety and panic attacks, which only really disappeared before I started this job earlier this year.
It was a combination of many things but strangely it began when I went to study abroad in the midst of a number of terrorist attacks.
But when I came home, the anxiety stayed put and I soon found myself panicking about my future and the aspiration to climb the career ladder.
Trying to get a full-time job in the media industry, on top of the price of renting, left me wondering if I’d ever get to a stage where I’d be able to save for my own home one day.
Thankfully I acknowledged it and am fortunate to have dealt with my anxiety so quickly.
But this is not the case for so many others out there who are left mentally drained every single day.
It’s a silent epidemic that we need to destigmatize and get a grasp on before it’s too late.
