According to the Walton Family Foundation, 42% of Gen Zers struggle with depression, nearly double the rate of Americans over age 25. Another report by Harmony Healthcare IT revealed that 61% of Gen Zers have been medically diagnosed with anxiety.
For the generation before the rise of ‘social media addicts’ the topic about mental health was just ‘another thing to seek attention for’ . Going to a therapist was a waste of money, talking about what would benefit you cognitively? Forget about it. According to them the solution lies within ‘stop overthinking’. The whole thing about psychological health was attached with taboo and misconceptions for the older generation. American Psychological Association report found that Gen-Z is more likely to report mental health concerns than any other demographic group. Part of the reason is that the topic about ‘mental health’ was never taken seriously before.However, the latest generation found a way to overcome the stigmas. The awareness soon went from ‘non-existent alien issue’ to the point where the month ‘may’ is fully dedicated to ‘mental health awareness month’, promoting flyers and substances associated with well being.
In an era where social media are accessible to literally everyone, promoting mental wellness is prevalent. It’s undeniable to admit that Genz is the first generation to take a strong stance on such newly formed issues and promote psychological health by several means . For example the ‘usc mind ice bucket challenge’ which goes on to nominate friends and family to spill cold water on head; as a result fostering mind refreshment. As much as it sounds like a small step, it can result in a big impact. Teenagers in this generation are more willing to discuss and seek help for their struggles.
From going through the major pandemic and 9-11 to frequent school shootings all around the US, we had more or less exposure to significant global issues worldwide. This is the first generation to be raised on an online platform. It is indisputable that we have unlimited access to information regarding several topics.