Young Expats Struggling The Most With Mental Health – Is Social Media The Cause?

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Young Expats Struggling The Most With Mental Health – Is Social Media The Cause?

Research by AXA has revealed that as many as two in five (41%) young expats aged 18-24 are negatively impacted mentally by social media and tech addiction. AXA – Global Healthcare has reviewed the Mind Health Index, looking at how young expats are affected by social media.

The research found that those who report a negative impact from social media were also more likely to feel lonely, have a negative body image, feel uncertain about their future, and struggle with self-acceptance. For example, almost two thirds (60%) of young expats who report a negative mental impact from social media and tech addiction also report a negative body image.

In stark contrast, just one in ten (12%) expats aged 65-74, feel that social media negatively impacts their mental health.

Samantha O’Donovan, Chief People Officer at AXA – Global Healthcare, says: “Social media has so many benefits to young expats – it’s a way of keeping in touch with family and friends, keeping up with trends and popular culture, and can even be used to make professional connections and find work. But, while it has its uses, you can always have too much of a good thing. Social media often causes us to make comparisons to our peers and aspire to unattainable lifestyles, and the younger generations are more exposed to this than anyone else, hence its significant impact on their overall mental health.”

The research also reveals that only 10% of young expats are ‘flourishing’ (with the best mental health scores), while more than half (55%) are languishing or struggling – the lowest outcomes in AXA’s Index.

18-24-year-old expats are also significantly impacted by mental health conditions, with over two thirds (71%) struggling with stress, one in three (30%) suffering with depression, and 16% suffering with anxiety.

At the other end of the age scale, the oldest group sampled (65-74) report their mental health much more positively, with almost half (49%) ‘flourishing’, and only one in five (20%) struggling or languishing.

The number of older expats experiencing mental health conditions is much lower, with only one third (31%) struggling with stress, fewer than one in 10 (9%) suffering with depression and just 2% suffering with anxiety.

Sam continues: “There are a number of reasons that we see that mental health is a more prevalent issue in young people. Social media is one contributor, but so is the rising cost of living, among other things. Within the expat population, young professionals may feel more isolated working in a different country away from friends and family, compared to the older generation who may have brought more established, trailing families along for the journey.

“Regardless of your age, professional status, and location, it’s vital that you take proactive steps to manage your mental health and look after yourself. Our Mind Health service is designed to provide customers with support from a fully qualified psychologist, wherever you are in the world, via phone and video calls. Taking on life’s challenges doesn’t need to be a solo feat.”

To read the full report, visit: https://www.axa.com/en/about-us/mind-health-report

Moving Abroad Checklist

Initial Considerations

Will your partner be travelling with you?

If so, what will they be giving up in your present home and will they be able to continue with their career in your new home? You will need to check whether a separate visa is required for your partner to work or if your visa gives that right. If they are unable to work you will need to decide on the effect on your finances and what alternatives are available to give a fulfilling life (home business, training, voluntary work).

Are you taking family with you?

Moving with family raises many exciting opportunities, but also can create challenges. The HSBC Expat Explorer survey indicates that expat kids can take six months to settle in to their new country (see article). Getting young or even older children to prepare to move and leave their friends and family behind can be a challenge and should be thought through.

The options for education is another area that needs to be thought through.

Moving your child to a new country with a different education system can be a great opportunity to broaden their experience, but if they are close to key exams the timing can make this inadvisable. If you do take your family with you, it is important to decide between joining the local school system or choosing an international school.

Where will you be living?

Whether you will be living in a house or apartment, furnished or unfurnished, these decisions will affect what you need to take with you. The time you are planning to live overseas will also affect whether you should leave your property at home empty, rent it out or sell it. See the article Sell, Store or Ship.