According to a therapist, the lack of more than 5 close friends is the primary reason young people are unhappy.

The United States, which has been consistently ranked among the top countries in life satisfaction, fell to No. 23 in this year's World Happiness Report. This marks the first time in the report's 20-year history that the U.S. has not placed in the top 20.

Individuals aged 60 and above in America ranked 10th for happiness, while those under 30 ranked 62nd.

Recent studies indicate that the mental health of young people is declining. In 2021, 42% of American high school students reported feeling persistently sad or hopeless, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control. Additionally, 22% of these students seriously considered suicide.

A variety of factors, including social media use, climate change, and class fluidity, may be impacting the current generation of young people, according to experts.

Esther Perel, a renowned psychotherapist, identifies relationships as the root cause of many issues.

"People are becoming increasingly lonely because they struggle with relationships, which often involve conflict, friction, and differences," she remarks. "An unprecedented number of individuals are cutting off friends and family members."

While Perel believes that young Americans prioritize being their true selves, she argues that this comes at the cost of forming connections. In reality, relationships with others provide valuable insights into oneself.

'Relationships demand obligation'

Social media has popularized several psychology terms aimed at safeguarding your mental well-being from potentially harmful individuals or situations.

Perel notes that therapy that involves a specific type of speaking often includes the word "self" in front of various concepts, such as self-awareness, self-realization, self-fulfillment, self-care, and self-image.

Young people are prioritizing their comfort over community involvement due to overcorrection.

Perel asserts that prioritizing honesty to myself is more crucial than maintaining my relationships.

Rewritten: Service-oriented apps have reduced the need for community support. In the past, being sick and unable to pick up a prescription required assistance from a friend. Now, you can have your medication delivered. If your partner can't drive you to the airport, you can schedule a ride on a ride-hailing app.

Young people today are not investing in the formation of in-person social networks through exchanging favors over time as older generations did.

According to 2023 data from Pew Research Center, only 32% of Americans aged 30 and younger have five or more close friends, while the number of those aged 65 and older with five or more close friends is 49%.

""Obligation is necessary for relationships and communities, as they require us to serve their needs and give us a sense of belonging in return," Perel argues."

It's not practical to expect others to be a positive presence all the time, and this can hinder forming meaningful relationships.

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