Who Are Gen Z?
Generation Z refers to the generation born roughly between 1997 and 2012.
This raises the question: How is Gen Z handling their mental health compared to previous generations?
Verywell / Madelyn Goodnight
Why Is Gen Z Using Therapy More Than Previous Generations?
Ultimately, stress can contribute to psychological concerns such asanxietyanddepression.
Below are some of the stressors that may be contributing to increased psychological issues among Gen Z.
Of these, only half reported that they were doing enough to manage their stress.
What is the reason for Gen Z being more open about their mental health?
There are likely multiple reasons.
This generation doesnt want to be held back by mental health concerns.
This begs the question: why is there less stigma for this generation?
Why has the stigma lessened in the era of Gen Z?
They dont know any different so they don’t attach any bad feelings to speaking about it.
Gen Z has a feeling ofsocial supportthrough their connections online that previous generations did not have.
Baby Boomers didnt see the Internet emerge in many cases until their 40s and 50s.
Gen X wasnt regularly on the Internet until their late 20s.
Some Millenials grew up with the Internet, but others did not.
Below are some takeaways for anyone in an older generation than Gen Z.
However, this perspective doesnt take into account the benefits of being connected to others on a global scale.
Other generations could learn from this in terms of broadening their perspective of what constitutes friendship or connection.
Did you have a pen pal growing up?
In the digital era, pen pals have moved online.
Dont discount the importance of online connections in an increasingly digital world.
Other generations could learn that treating mental health isnt showing your weakness; rather, its building yourstrength.
Keeping mental health in the shadows helps no one.
Rather than avoiding the problem, facing it and finding help is the best strategy for managing mental health.
Takeaway
Each generations perspective is rooted in the environment in which they were raised.
Change is necessary to evolve to a better way of living, and this change is inevitable.
What might feel wrong to you today, could be the norm tomorrow.
As they say, the only thing constant is that there will be change.
Brantley B.The Data Briefing: The Arrival of Generation Z into the Federal Government.
American Psychological Association.Stress in America: Generation Z.
Media Kix.The 11 Generation Z Statistics Advertisers Must Know.
Independent.Generation Z teenagers have more mental health problems despite drops in smoking, drugs and antisocial behavior.
