By Hannah Williams | September 28, 2021

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa— About 9 to 10 percent of young adults and adolescents in the United States suffer from social anxiety. The disorder has been amplified and increased among young people after months of isolation during the pandemic.

As the country gradually returns from lockdown, many young people are struggling with their new discovered anxiety symptoms: fear of public spaces, reluctance to hang out with friends, fear of being watched, or fear of going out. Little things like meeting new co-workers, going on dates, or having a fun night out with friends, is now seen as a task.

Experts say that the pandemic will ultimately have a long-lasting mental health impact. As an organizations it is their responsibility to understand what’s going on in society, but more specifically public issues.

Studies show that the disorder is expected to become more prevalent in the upcoming months, leading to higher rates of depression, which already impacts 13 percent of young adults ages 18 to 25.

With the use of research and data collection, organizations can utilize their public relations team to find and understand ways to communicate with their audience, i.e creating a mental health campaign.

Organizations should implement more mental health resources this fall  to combat arising mental illnesses. Although this article is considered negative news, what companies do with this information can set them apart in a positive way.

Stigma has long surrounded mental health. PR campaigns can invest in positive language and images that will help contribute to a healthier attitude towards mental health.

Good mental health campaigns include JanSport’s #LightenTheLoad campaign. The American backpack brand researched their Gen Z target audience through Pew Research, and decided that they would create a campaign focused on supporting their target audience around mental health.

JanSport’s mission within this campaign was to drive conversations around mental health with Gen Z while also connecting people with “real tools” to “unpack” the mental health crisis.

A strategic public relations campaign will help by significantly raising awareness within their internal community, but ultimately creating nationwide awareness.

Although the COVID-19 pandemic may be wrapping up (hopefully), there is another pandemic on the way with mental health. The aftermath of last years pandemic will be long lasting, and it is the job of companies to be prepared to manage that.

For more information read the New York Times Article: How Young People’s Social Anxiety Has Worsend in the Pandemic

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