The world is in a state of transition. The gravest years of the pandemic seem behind us, but for many young Americans, the future remains uncertain.

In many instances, young people are missing entire developmental markers and moments, formative and singular events that in many cases cannot be easily made up for or replaced. And often, these losses are coupled and magnified by a loss of support systems, the kind that would normally help them move forward in times of uncertainty or growth. In essence, the pandemic has not been a speed bump in their life. It has been a sudden and dramatic left turn.

At Springtide Research Institute, we survey and interview young people ages 13-25 by the thousands each year on their spirituality, mental health and more, and we’ve kept a close eye on them throughout the pandemic.

We recently released sobering new findings on Gen Z’s mental health after two years of pandemic life, and what we discovered is alarming. The New Normal: Updated & Expanded found teens and young adults feeling extremely depressed, anxious, stressed, and lonely. Even worse, the adults in their lives don’t truly know the extent of it.