Mental health has become an increasingly important topic in recent years, and it’s no surprise that it often appears in IELTS Writing Task 2 questions. Based on our analysis of past IELTS exams and current global trends, we predict that questions related to mental health crises in modern society will continue to be a frequent topic in future tests. Let’s explore this theme through a sample question and multiple essay responses.
Mental Health Crisis
Analyzing the Question
Let’s consider the following IELTS Writing Task 2 question:
Mental health issues are becoming increasingly common in many countries. What do you think are the main causes of this problem and what measures could be taken to address it?
This question is asking you to discuss two main points:
- The causes of increasing mental health issues
- Possible solutions to address these issues
It’s important to note that this is a problem-solution essay, which requires you to analyze the causes of a problem and propose solutions. Let’s look at sample essays for different band scores.
Sample Essay 1 (Band 8-9)
Mental health disorders have become alarmingly prevalent in contemporary society, with statistics indicating a significant rise in conditions such as depression and anxiety across various demographics. This essay will explore the primary factors contributing to this crisis and propose potential remedies to mitigate its impact.
The escalating mental health crisis can be attributed to several interrelated factors. Firstly, the frenetic pace of modern life, characterized by long working hours and constant connectivity, has led to chronic stress and burnout. This relentless pressure often leaves individuals with little time for relaxation or self-care, exacerbating mental health issues. Secondly, the pervasive influence of social media has created unrealistic expectations and fostered feelings of inadequacy and isolation, particularly among younger generations. The constant comparison with curated online personas can significantly impact self-esteem and overall mental well-being. Lastly, economic instability and job insecurity in many countries have contributed to heightened anxiety and depression, as individuals grapple with financial stress and uncertain futures.
To address these challenges, a multi-faceted approach is necessary. One crucial measure is to prioritize mental health education in schools and workplaces, fostering awareness and destigmatizing mental health issues. This could include incorporating mindfulness and stress management techniques into curricula and corporate wellness programs. Additionally, governments should invest in expanding access to mental health services, ensuring that affordable and quality care is available to all segments of society. This could involve increasing funding for community mental health centers and integrating mental health services into primary care settings. Furthermore, regulations on social media use, particularly for young people, could help mitigate its negative impacts. This might include mandating clear warnings about the potential mental health risks associated with excessive social media use and promoting digital literacy programs.
In conclusion, the rising prevalence of mental health issues is a complex problem rooted in the pressures of modern life, the impact of digital technologies, and economic uncertainties. Addressing this crisis requires a comprehensive strategy that combines education, improved access to mental health services, and policy measures to create a more supportive environment for mental well-being. By implementing these measures, societies can work towards fostering greater resilience and mental health among their populations.
(Word count: 349)
Analysis of Band 8-9 Essay
This essay demonstrates excellent performance across all marking criteria:
Task Achievement: The essay fully addresses all parts of the task, providing a well-developed response with relevant, extended, and supported ideas.
Coherence and Cohesion: The essay is cohesive with clear progression throughout. It uses a range of cohesive devices and each paragraph has a clear central topic.
Lexical Resource: The vocabulary is sophisticated with very natural and precise usage. Examples include “frenetic pace”, “chronic stress”, “pervasive influence”, “curated online personas”, and “multi-faceted approach”.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: The essay uses a wide range of structures with full flexibility and accuracy. It includes complex sentences and shows excellent control of grammar and punctuation.
Sample Essay 2 (Band 6-7)
Mental health problems are becoming more common in many countries these days. This essay will discuss some of the main reasons for this issue and suggest some ways to solve it.
There are several causes of the increasing mental health problems. First, people are under a lot of stress in modern life. They have to work long hours and deal with high pressure at work and school. This can make them feel anxious and depressed. Second, social media is affecting people’s mental health. Many people, especially young ones, spend too much time on social media and compare themselves to others, which can make them feel bad about themselves. Another reason is that there is not enough support for people with mental health issues in many places.
To address this problem, there are several things that can be done. One solution is to improve mental health education in schools and workplaces. This can help people understand mental health better and know how to take care of themselves. Another solution is to make mental health services more available and affordable. Governments should invest more money in mental health care so that more people can get help when they need it. Also, there should be more rules about social media use, especially for young people, to reduce its negative effects on mental health.
In conclusion, mental health problems are increasing due to stress, social media, and lack of support. By improving education, making services more available, and regulating social media, we can help solve this problem. It’s important for everyone to work together to improve mental health in our society.
(Word count: 271)
Analysis of Band 6-7 Essay
This essay demonstrates good performance but with some limitations:
Task Achievement: The essay addresses all parts of the task and presents relevant ideas, but the development and support for ideas are less extensive than in the Band 8-9 essay.
Coherence and Cohesion: The essay is generally well-organized with clear progression, but the use of cohesive devices is less sophisticated.
Lexical Resource: The vocabulary is adequate for the task, but lacks the precision and sophistication of the higher band essay. It uses more general terms like “a lot of stress” instead of “chronic stress”.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: The essay uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures with generally good control, but lacks the full flexibility seen in the Band 8-9 essay.
Key Vocabulary to Remember
Mental health crisis (noun phrase) – /ˈmentl helθ ˈkraɪsɪs/ – A situation where mental health issues are prevalent and severe in a population.
Chronic stress (noun phrase) – /ˈkrɒnɪk stres/ – Long-term, ongoing stress that persists over an extended period.
Burnout (noun) – /ˈbɜːnaʊt/ – Physical or mental collapse caused by overwork or stress.
Destigmatize (verb) – /diːˈstɪɡmətaɪz/ – To remove the negative associations or stigma from a subject.
Multi-faceted approach (noun phrase) – /ˌmʌltiˈfæsɪtɪd əˈprəʊtʃ/ – A strategy that involves many different aspects or methods.
Digital literacy (noun phrase) – /ˈdɪdʒɪtl ˈlɪtərəsi/ – The ability to use digital technology and the internet effectively and critically.
Resilience (noun) – /rɪˈzɪliəns/ – The capacity to recover quickly from difficulties.
Frenetic pace (noun phrase) – /frəˈnetɪk peɪs/ – An extremely fast and energetic rate of activity.
Conclusion
The topic of mental health crises in modern society is likely to remain relevant in IELTS Writing Task 2. To prepare for this and similar topics, practice writing essays that analyze causes and propose solutions. Consider exploring related themes such as work-life balance, the impact of technology on well-being, or the role of community support in mental health.
For additional practice, try writing your own essay on this topic or a variation of it, such as:
- The role of governments in addressing mental health issues
- The impact of mental health on productivity in the workplace
- The relationship between physical health and mental well-being
Remember to structure your essay clearly, use a range of vocabulary and grammatical structures, and fully address all parts of the question. You can post your practice essays in the comments section for feedback and further discussion.
For more IELTS Writing Task 2 practice and tips, you might find these articles helpful:
- Describing a Person Who Helped You Solve a Problem
- Navigating Difficult Situations
- Describing a Person Who Inspired Resilience
These resources can provide additional context and vocabulary related to problem-solving, resilience, and personal growth, which are often relevant to discussions about mental health.