Stress, busy to perform – alarming: our youth is so unhappy

5511 people were asked by “Yep Voice of the Youth” about mental health. 20 percent of adolescents and young adults stated that they are really bad. They say they often have negative feelings and feel uncomfortable. 63 percent of respondents often have to do with problems, is stressed or sad.

Differences between Germany and Austria
The data collection took place from October 2024 to January 2025 among the Austrians (38 percent) and Germans (62 percent). The results showed clear differences between the two countries. Although eleven percent of Austrian respondents explain that they are really bad, this share in Germany is 25 percent more than twice as high. In total, 72 percent of German youths assess their current emotional well than negative – in Austria, but it is considerably less with 49 percent.

Negative thoughts are often high in different young people
While 22 percent of the female and 15 percent of male respondents often indicate that they have negative thoughts and feel uncomfortable, this share is again considerably higher among different young people with 40 percent. Moreover, it appears that only two percent of the different respondents must feel really happy and satisfied – the lowest value of all groups. These figures make it clear that especially young people feel emotionally stressed, while male respondents emotionally give themselves a more positive self -assessment of their wells.

Feeling of a great topic
The vast majority of young people miss the feeling of being able to do or change: 87 percent stated that they sometimes faint – even more than half (51 percent) even often. In Germany even 92 percent of young people regularly report fainting, in Austria it is less at 80 percent, but still a very large majority. For this, the feeling of belonging – so – so connected to it – plays a central role in the well of young people.

Central stress factor security pressure
The qualitative data collection shows that performance pressure in Germany and Austria is seen as a central stress factor for the mental health of young people. Exams, homework and close schemes determine daily life and considerably consider their psychological constitution. Another important point is the desire for more understanding and better communication on the part of teachers, parents and other adult care providers. The young people reported that they were rarely taken seriously.

In addition to school stress, they also mentioned family conflicts, social expectations and the influence of social media as important stress factors. Moreover, young people led developments such as climate change, political instability and economic uncertainties such as major stress factors.