Resiliency Statistics

KEY FINDINGS IN NEW HAMPSHIRE'S YOUNG ADULTS

According to the 2019 NH Assessment of Young Adults (YAA) by the NH Department of Health and Human Services

Substance Use

Lifetime substance use correlates with race, gender identity, age, and financial status across all substances.
On average, young adults reported using about 3.2 substances in their lifetime.
The vast majority of young adults have used alcohol in their lifetime (87%), and 60% drank in the past 30 days.

Mental Health

1/3 of young adults report little interest or pleasure in doing things and feeling down, depressed or hopeless on several days in the past two weeks.
Almost 1 in 5 (17.1%) reported having seriously attempting suicide during that past 12 months.
Mental health symptoms increase with financial insecurity.
Gender minorities were significantly more likely to report depression symptoms when compared to their cisgender peers.

Protective Factors

Risk Factors

- Livable wage
- Access to health care & insurance
- Affordable housing
- Connectivity
- Transportation
- Stress management & healthy coping mechanisms
- Mental health support

- Family violence
- Family history of substance misuse
- ACES
- Lack of trusting relationships
- Lack of healthy food
- Peer pressure
- Early use of substances
- Stigma

What NH young adults are excited about:

Opportunities to build a career and earn an income
Making connections: friends, spouses, family, teachers, etc.
Young adults are excited and hopeful about their voices being heard
Generational change and young adults in government and politics
They believe that they can affect positive change, especially with the environment, diversity, and inclusion

Challenges that young adults in NH face:

Financial issues are significant barriers to accomplishing their goals
High cost of living in NH
Low wages
High tuition costs

* Symptoms of poor mental health increase with financial insecurities