• Posted December 27, 2024

Money, Gun Violence, Hate Crimes: Poll Reveals Top Worries at the End of 2024

Should you cut back on doom scrolling in 2025?

Worries about money, gun violence and hate crimes ranked high among many people's lists of worries at the end of 2024, according to a poll that is part of American Psychiatric Association (APA) Healthy Minds Monthly opinion poll series. The survey included 2200 U.S. adults.

Reducing news consumption may be beneficial for your mental health, experts say.

"If current events seem overwhelming it may be time to limit your news consumption,” Dr. Marketa Wills, medical director of the APA, said.

“While we like to stay informed, the news can also impact our mental health, and being mindful of that impact is important," Wells said in a news release.

According to the APA's research, American adults have remained most anxious about the economy and gun violence throughout 2024.

Looking ahead to 2025, more than 1/3 of Americans surveyed (33%) say they will make mental health-related New Year’s resolutions, which is a 5% increase from last year. In fact, the increase is the highest result the APA has collected since it began asking the question in 2021.

As usual, many people report that they will pledge to be more physically active in 2025; other resolutions focus on participating in mentally healthy activities.

• Spend more time in nature (46%)

• Meditation (44%)

• Focus on spirituality (37%)

• Take a social media break (30%)

• Journaling (29%)

“A new year brings with it new opportunities but also renewed concerns about the very important issues that impact our lives,” Wills said, adding that “any time of the year, mental health matters. Staying mindful of how we’re doing while taking active steps to care for ourselves is a terrific resolution.”

More information

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has more on stress and anxiety management.

SOURCE: American Psychiatric Association (APA), news release, Dec. 13, 2024; APA, press release, Dec. 18, 2024