IELTS Writing Task 2: Addressing Youth Mental Health – Sample Essays for Different Band Scores

Mental health among young people has become an increasingly prevalent topic in IELTS Writing Task 2 essays. This issue reflects growing global concerns about the well-being of youth in our rapidly changing world. Based on recent trends, it’s highly likely that questions related to youth mental health will continue to appear frequently in future IELTS exams. Let’s examine a relevant question that has appeared in past tests and provide sample essays for different band scores.

Many young people are suffering from mental health issues such as anxiety and depression. What do you think are the causes of this problem? What solutions can you suggest?

Analyzing the Question

This question is a classic problem-solution essay that requires candidates to:

1. Identify causes of mental health issues among young people
2. Propose solutions to address these issues

It’s important to note that the question specifically mentions anxiety and depression as examples, so these should be addressed in your response.

Sample Essay for Band 8-9

Youth Mental Health Awareness

Mental health concerns among the younger generation have escalated dramatically in recent years, with anxiety and depression becoming increasingly prevalent. This essay will explore the root causes of this alarming trend and propose viable solutions to mitigate its impact.

Several factors contribute to the rising incidence of mental health issues in youth. Firstly, the pervasive influence of social media and digital technology has created an environment of constant comparison and unrealistic expectations. Young people are inundated with curated images of ‘perfect’ lives, leading to feelings of inadequacy and low self-esteem. Secondly, academic pressure has intensified, with students facing fierce competition for university places and future career prospects. This relentless pursuit of achievement often comes at the expense of well-being. Additionally, societal changes such as increased family breakdown and reduced community cohesion have left many young people feeling isolated and unsupported.

To address these challenges, a multi-faceted approach is essential. Education systems must prioritize mental health literacy, incorporating it into the curriculum from an early age. This would equip young people with the knowledge and skills to recognize and manage their emotional well-being. Furthermore, schools and universities should implement comprehensive counseling services, ensuring that professional support is readily accessible to all students. At a broader level, governments need to invest in public awareness campaigns to destigmatize mental health issues and encourage open dialogue.

Another crucial solution lies in regulating social media platforms and promoting digital well-being. Legislation could mandate that these platforms incorporate features that limit screen time and filter out potentially harmful content. Moreover, parents and educators should be trained to guide young people in developing healthy digital habits and critical thinking skills to navigate the online world responsibly.

In conclusion, the mental health crisis among youth is a complex issue rooted in societal, technological, and educational factors. By implementing a combination of educational initiatives, support services, and digital regulations, we can create a more nurturing environment for young people’s mental health. It is imperative that all stakeholders – from policymakers to parents – work collaboratively to prioritize the psychological well-being of our future generations.

(Word count: 329)

Analysis of Band 8-9 Essay

This essay demonstrates excellence across all marking criteria:

1. Task Response: The essay fully addresses all parts of the task, presenting a well-developed response with relevant, extended ideas and a clear position throughout.

2. Coherence and Cohesion: Ideas are logically organized with clear progression. Paragraphing is skillful, and a wide range of cohesive devices is used effectively.

3. Lexical Resource: A wide range of vocabulary is used with very natural and sophisticated control of lexical features. Notice phrases like “pervasive influence,” “curated images,” and “multi-faceted approach.”

4. Grammatical Range and Accuracy: A wide range of structures is used with full flexibility and accuracy. Complex structures are frequent and error-free.

Sample Essay for Band 6-7

Mental health problems like anxiety and depression are becoming more common among young people today. This essay will discuss some reasons for this issue and suggest ways to solve it.

One main cause of mental health problems in youth is social media. Many teenagers spend too much time on platforms like Instagram and TikTok, which can make them feel bad about themselves. They see perfect-looking lives of others and feel pressure to be like that. Another reason is school stress. Students have a lot of homework and exams, which can be very stressful.

To solve these problems, schools should teach about mental health. This can help students understand their feelings better and know when to ask for help. Also, parents should talk more with their children about their emotions and problems. This can make young people feel supported and less alone.

Another solution is to limit social media use. Parents and schools can teach teenagers how to use social media in a healthy way. For example, they can show them how to set time limits on their phones. The government could also make rules for social media companies to protect young users.

In conclusion, mental health issues in young people are caused by things like social media and school stress. We can help by teaching about mental health, supporting young people more, and controlling social media use. If we do these things, we can improve the mental health of our youth.

(Word count: 238)

Analysis of Band 6-7 Essay

This essay demonstrates good control of language but lacks some of the sophistication of the higher band essay:

1. Task Response: The essay addresses the task, covering causes and solutions, but the ideas are less fully developed compared to the Band 8-9 essay.

2. Coherence and Cohesion: There is a clear overall progression, but cohesive devices are less sophisticated (e.g., frequent use of “also” and “another”).

3. Lexical Resource: The vocabulary is adequate for the task, but lacks the range and precision of higher band scores. There are some good phrases like “perfect-looking lives” but also some repetition.

4. Grammatical Range and Accuracy: A mix of simple and complex sentence structures is used with generally good control, but lacking the variety and sophistication of the Band 8-9 essay.

Key Vocabulary to Remember

1. Mental health literacy (noun) – /ˈmen.təl helθ ˈlɪt.ər.ə.si/: Knowledge and beliefs about mental disorders which aid their recognition, management or prevention.

2. Destigmatize (verb) – /diːˈstɪɡ.mə.taɪz/: To remove the negative associations surrounding a particular circumstance or condition.

3. Multi-faceted (adjective) – /ˌmʌl.tiˈfæs.ɪ.tɪd/: Having many different aspects or features.

4. Pervasive (adjective) – /pəˈveɪ.sɪv/: Existing in or spreading through every part of something.

5. Mitigate (verb) – /ˈmɪt.ɪ.ɡeɪt/: To make something less harmful, unpleasant, or bad.

6. Cohesion (noun) – /kəʊˈhiː.ʒən/: The act or state of sticking together tightly.

7. Inundate (verb) – /ˈɪn.ʌn.deɪt/: To overwhelm with things or people to be dealt with.

8. Viable (adjective) – /ˈvaɪ.ə.bəl/: Capable of working successfully; feasible.

9. Nurturing (adjective) – /ˈnɜː.tʃər.ɪŋ/: Providing care and encouragement for the development of someone or something.

10. Imperative (adjective) – /ɪmˈper.ə.tɪv/: Extremely important or urgent.

Conclusion

Addressing the rising issue of mental health in youth is a critical topic that is likely to appear in future IELTS Writing Task 2 essays. By understanding the structure of problem-solution essays and practicing with sample questions, you can improve your ability to tackle this important subject. Remember to analyze the question carefully, provide relevant causes and solutions, and use a range of vocabulary and grammatical structures appropriate to your target band score.

For further practice, consider writing essays on related topics such as:

• The role of technology in youth mental health
• The impact of academic pressure on student well-being
• The importance of work-life balance for mental health

We encourage you to practice writing your own essay on this topic and share it in the comments section below. This active practice is an excellent way to improve your writing skills and prepare for the IELTS exam.

To further enhance your understanding of mental health issues and their impact, you might find it helpful to read about how climate change affects mental health or explore the importance of mental health programs in high schools. These resources can provide additional context and vocabulary to enrich your essays on this crucial topic.