A new Gallup poll finds that more than 19% of American adults reported living with or being treated for depression in the first quarter of this year, totaling roughly 51 million people.
The study also highlights a sharper increase among younger adults. According to the poll, 28% of people under 30 reported depression, more than double the 13% reported in 2017.
Marcus Fuller, a Kaiser Permanente Licensed Clinical Social Worker, says young adults navigating identity formation and consuming social media around the clock may face growing emotional strain.
Local resident Ulysses Gonzalez shared his own experience with depression and the coping strategies that help him manage day-to-day challenges.
"I motivate people to spend time with their family, with love, with loved ones, with friends, going out for walks, exercising, you know, doing the best they can to get by," said Gonzalez.
Gonzalez acknowledges the difficulty many face but says he relies on faith and a focus on taking life one step at a time.
"Because I know with inflation, with gas prices, with everything being so expensive, with loved ones having a hard time at work and going through like separation within their relationships and stuff, I understand it's hard and stuff. But like, my method in life is always taking everything one day at a time and let God take care of tomorrow in my eyes. I know it's easier said than done, but we have to take it one day at a time and everything will come into place. Just do the best we can every day," said Gonzalez.
The study also found a strong link between depression and loneliness. Among U.S. adults who reported feeling lonely the day before the survey, 33% also reported depression.
Fuller encourages people to seek connection and early support to help address symptoms.
"I would encourage engaging in hobbies and having direct in-person connections with other people," Fuller said.
He also recommends speaking with a primary care doctor to identify healthy coping skills and emphasizes reducing stigma around mental health care.
"Having stigma-free approaches, understanding that this is something that isn't based on the individual, this is something that the collective is experiencing," he said.
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