Civic Engagement Can Boost Youth Mental Health

By Laura Erickson-Schroth 

Young people are doing their part to influence the political process and create the future they want to see in our country. They’re educating themselves on the issues, signing petitions, advocating for causes and candidates, volunteering their time, and voting in elections. 

At the same time, there is a certain pessimism that runs through young people’s thinking about politics and political engagement. Many believe, according to a 2022 poll from Harvard’s Institute of Politics (IOP), that “political involvement rarely has tangible results” (36%) and “politics today are no longer able to meet the challenges our country is facing” (56%). Over 40% say their vote “doesn’t make a difference.” A more recent IOP poll, released this year, shows steeply declining trust in American institutions among young people since 2015. Trust in Congress dropped by 34% and the Supreme Court by 55%, to cite just two examples. 

Beliefs like those can lead to feelings of fear, anger, or hopelessness, regardless of a person’s political leanings. Luckily, one of the antidotes is to encourage young people to deepen their civic engagement. Research shows that participating in civic-minded activities such as voting and volunteering can be beneficial for mental health. Civic engagement can also help young people feel more connected to democratic processes. A 2023 survey by the Institute for Citizens & Scholars found that young adults who are civically engaged are more likely to feel satisfied with U.S. democracy — and that satisfaction rises as they engage in more community-focused activities. 

Let’s encourage the young people in our lives — children, grandchildren, students, and others — to find ways to get involved in the communities, civic organizations, and political activities that speak to them and reflect their priorities and values. Let’s also recognize that those political views may not always align with our own, and still help them find ways to be involved as they continue to discover who they are and what they believe. 

Engaging in civic activities like volunteering offers young people the opportunity to be part of something larger than themselves and gain a sense of purpose and meaning. That is particularly significant in light of a 2023 poll from Harvard’s Graduate School of Education that found that 58% of young people say their lives lack exactly that — meaning and purpose. Civic engagement can also connect young people with intergenerational communities of like-minded people, whether online or in person, which can have social benefits that can counteract feelings of hopelessness or resignation. 

At the same time, civic participation can sometimes lead to stress and other negative effects. Pursuing elusive goals — or ones that can take years to achieve — can become disheartening and wear a person out. Advocating for one’s beliefs could invite negative feedback, bullying, or even expressions of hate, and it runs the risk of affecting friendships and other relationships if those people disagree with your stances in ways that are disrespectful or harmful. And the uncertainty of an election and its aftermath can cause significant stress.

Even as we encourage the young people in our lives to get involved, we also need to be on the lookout to make sure they are taking care of themselves and not experiencing negative impacts. If we see them exhibiting signs of stress from their involvement, we can encourage them to step away, take a break, and unplug from it. It can be beneficial to connect with friends or family, or to engage in a hobby or another relaxing, fun activity. Their cause or campaign will still be there if and when they feel ready to return to it. 

As beneficial as civic engagement is for young people, we, as a society, reap the rewards too. Young people bring their unique energy, perspectives, and commitment to the causes, candidates, and communities to which they are dedicated. The future is theirs — let’s help them claim it.

Laura Erickson-Schroth is the Chief Medical Officer at The Jed Foundation (JED), a nonprofit that protects emotional health and prevents suicide for teens and young adults.