YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – The next generation’s transition into adulthood is not easy for everyone.
Starting that first career job, finishing college, paying student loans and other bills, finding housing in an expensive market – the next generation is dealing with some serious hurdles.
“I enjoy conversations with those transitioning out of high school and college and entering the workforce, because navigating it can be hard – emotionally, mentally and physically,” says Paige Rota, chief programming officer at Meridian Healthcare.
According to a 2023 PEW Research Center study, 21-year-olds are less likely than their predecessors four decades ago to have reached five frequently cited milestones of adulthood: a full-time job, financial independence, living on their own, getting married and having a child. Numbers improved by age 25, with two-thirds working full time in 2021 and 60% developing financial independence.
As they navigate all those stressful hurdles, younger people are more likely than previous generations to reach out for help with their mental health.
“In the past, a lot of people sought out counseling when they were having a problem and then they would go to their priest or their school counselor,” says Dr. Joe Marzano, president/CEO of Advanced Counseling Solutions, LLC. “Now the younger generation, they’re more educated to do more preventative planning.”
That might mean building a relationship with a counselor who can help them navigate upcoming decisions, whether that is a school counselor, academic adviser, human resources officer or family doctor. Younger adults are more likely to ask a friend or colleague or consult the internet to find a mental health provider.
Rota agrees counseling has become less stigmatized and young people seek recommendations.
“I’ve seen it in the past few years that people are more open, more aware of symptoms and when maybe they need to seek help,” Rota says. “And we want that. We want to be able to connect people to resources and help before it gets to a point where they feel hopeless and that there’s no resources for them.”
Additionally, Marzano says some residents and medical students, like those in family medicine, are being trained to identify mental health problems and then coordinate or refer the patient for help.
Employee Assistance Programs
Young employees expect employers to understand their need for resources and some have responded with Employee Assistance Programs.
“A lot of employers will have an employee in human resources, a person that’s trained and available to define whatever issue somebody’s having, and they have employee benefits that will cover a certain amount of free sessions,” says Marzano.
Rota emphasizes the importance of employers creating a positive work culture that supports mental health.
“That’s across the board, any type of employer that you’re working with,” Rota says. “Being able to foster people’s mental health, promote that it’s okay to talk about things, it’s okay to reach out when you need help, it’s okay to know that you need a mental health day.”
Duane Piccirilli, executive director of the Mahoning County Mental Health and Recovery Board, says in the past people may have taken a day off, but now they call them mental health days. He adds it is also acceptable when someone sees a co-worker who seems withdrawn or “a little off” to ask them if everything is okay.
The younger workforce seeks a workplace that fosters open communication, promotes self-care and provides those external resources like support groups and counseling, Rota says.
Meridian offers an EAP as part of its benefits package, providing free counseling sessions and other case management services.
Rota suggests mental health issues that arise at work might have nothing to do with the workplace. Someone may have underlying medical conditions, chronic pain, financial or family issues or even homelessness concerns, all of which might affect their mental health while on the job. She emphasizes the importance of people having activities they enjoy outside of work, which provides a chance to destress and decompress at the end of the day.
“You’ve got to make sure that your management is also engaging, understanding the needs of their employees and advocating for those PTO days,” says Rota.
Michelle Werth, MCMHRB clinical director/crisis intervention team coordinator, notes some EAPs have wellness programs that encourage participation, with employees earning points, leading to financial reimbursement or discounts on items like sneakers, exercise equipment or classes.
Additionally, employees spend more time around each other than even their own families, so it is important to form healthy social connections.
Telehealth
While many people prefer face-to-face, Marzano says telehealth has given those unable to get to appointments or away at college access to the counselor with whom they have built that relationship.
Telehealth may be one of the good things that came from the pandemic, says Piccirilli. “Young people now, they’re all busy. A lot of them work from home, so sitting there at their computer, and we get a lot of calls from that generation wanting referrals for someone who does telehealth,” he says.
Education has taken away some of the stigma and telehealth has created the advantage of not having to sit in a lobby with other people and wait.
Werth points out the internet can help those looking for mental health help access resources outside of their area – for example, the Trevor Project, Active Minds and the Jed Foundation, which each work with specific groups of young people, including those transitioning into adulthood. Many colleges have peer programs or other resources, as well.
“I think [The National Alliance on Mental Illness] is a big resource,” Werth says. “NAMI does have a program for young teens and adults.”
The Ohio Suicide Prevention Foundation offers online training for people to learn how to help others.
Additionally, Piccirilli points to the 988 text mental health hotline number as a resource particularly geared to young adults, who are more comfortable reaching out by text.
April Caraway, executive director of the Trumbull County Mental Health and Recovery Board, has a long list of agencies that help people from children to senior citizens, including Alta Care Group, Coleman Health Services Mobile Response and Stabilization Service and Valley Health Services.
But she also touts the 988 texting line for teens and adults.
“So many kids, that’s all they do is text now. They don’t want to talk on the phone, right? So that’s been very helpful,” Caraway says, adding the entire conversation with the counselor can be done by text.
Piccirilli believes social media and even celebrities have helped teens and young adults realize they are not alone.
“If you are struggling with mental health issues, sometimes you can feel very isolated… like you’re the only one in the world that’s experiencing this,” Werth says.
Werth adds that rock artist Courtney Love, who spoke out candidly about what happened to Kurt Cobain, helped open people’s eyes about the importance of talking about it and getting help.
But despite the best efforts to get people to reach out for resources, there are still suicides in the Mahoning Valley. In Trumbull County, there have been eight in the first six months of 2025, with the youngest 25 years old. In Mahoning County, there have been three suicide victims younger than 20. A third of Mahoning County’s 12 suicides have been under age 30 and more than half have been under the age of 40.
Piccirilli says in the past most were over 64, but younger people feeling hopeless is an unfortunate trend.
Caraway reports the number of overdoses continues to go down, but she fears if people lose their health insurance, especially Medicaid, both overdoses and suicides could increase.
“I think there’s a lot of positive messages out there, but a lot of negative messages too,” says Werth, adding it is important for everyone to learn to recognize what is healthy for them and what is not.
The mental health professionals urge anyone experiencing impaired thinking, feelings, behavior or mood to reach out for help from any of the organizations listed, including the 211 Help Network of Northeast Ohio, a 24/7 crisis line.
Pictured: Mahoning County Mental Health and Recovery Board’s Duane Piccirilli, executive director, and Michelle Werth, clinical director/CIT coordinator, know texting mental health lines appeal to younger generations.