Mental health and wellness is an ever-present topic in today’s society. It’s also both a delicate and complicated subject, and one that is judged differently depending on the individual. The consensus about the overall mental health of Generation Z, however, is that it is generally mediocre, if that. The American Psychological Association (APA) reports that Gen Z is “significantly more likely,” when compared with other generations, “to report their mental health as fair or poor.” The question we must ask ourselves, then, is why? What factors have caused such a noticeable decline in the mental health of today’s teenagers and young adults?
Historically speaking, the range and depth of Gen Z’s mental health issues is unprecedented. According to an article by the Pew Research Center, around 70% of teenagers stated that “anxiety and depression are significant problems” for them and their peers, a statistic that is as saddening as it is startling. Once we take a closer look at the reasons behind this data, however, it becomes clear why we are struggling so significantly.
In reality, our society has changed extensively in these most recent years, and many of these changes have had a negative impact on teenagers and their mental health. Mass shootings, for example–and particularly those in schools–have increased over the past several years, which can contribute immensely to daily anxiety and fear. Around 75% of Generation Z has classified “mass shootings” as “a significant source of stress,” according to the APA.
The APA revealed that modern-day teenagers are “more stressed than adults overall” about “issues in the news,” like war, politics, and general catastrophes or conflicts. These issues are frequently confusing and overwhelming for most adults, which could contribute to feelings of panic and helplessness in teens. The New York Post also hypothesized that climate change may be “dampening the hopes of the younger generations,” as the current state of the world is a source of depression – or at least concern – for most.
It will likely come as no surprise that another reason Gen Z is struggling so significantly is because of our devices. Gen Z has been described as “chronically online,” and nicknames such as “screenagers” have been used in reference to modern-day teens and their apparent addiction to technology. Not only does technology “fuel a steady drumbeat of negative news stories,” according to the Annie E. Casey foundation, but it also creates a “fear of missing out” and intense pressure to live up to the impossibly high standards of social media.
Social media alone is responsible for much of the failing mental health of Generation Z. Instagram has been “credited with worsening body image issues” in over 30% of teenaged girls, and according to The Guardian, the teenage population as a whole has extremely high amounts of “passive social media use.” Passive use of social media involves practices such as scrolling, which has been “linked with declines in wellbeing over time.” Repeated scrolling also tends to create a feeling of paralysis, as the constant refresh of the feed is almost hypnotizing and incredibly difficult to break away from.
Of course, Gen Z has other problems, too. The New York Post cites “overall lack of physical activity, poor sleep, and the changing nature of work” as primary causes of the teenage mental health crisis, and I am inclined to agree. Many teenagers do struggle with the transition to high school and then to higher education, creating copious amounts of academic anxiety on top of general stress.
The APA reports that “only half of all Gen Zs feel like they do enough to manage” this stress, clearly indicating the increasing magnitude of this struggle. As a large percentage of the Gen Z population is comprised of teenagers, it comes as no surprise that high school students like ourselves generally experience high levels of stress we may be unsure how to handle. Fortunately for us, however, our own San Dieguito Academy (and our school district as a whole) offers a range of mental health aids and services in order to support its students, knowing that stress management poses a huge challenge for teens today.
“One of the main focuses of SDHUSD over the last several years has been to increase counseling support,” explained Cara Dolnik, our SDA principal. “This is why we now have six counselors, a full-time social worker, and even support for families outside of school – so we can continue to focus on the mental health and wellbeing…of our students.”
Not only do we have exceptional counselors, but we also have Peer Assistance Listeners (or PALs). PALs are junior and senior SDA students who are trained in counseling and listening. They are always there to lend an ear or offer a safe space to breathe and unwind.
Though the statistics may appear relatively bleak for people our age, they aren’t all grim: according to the Annie E. Casey foundation, while Gen Z has been referred to as “the most depressed generation,” we are also the current generation most likely to seek professional help or services for mental health issues. There is a chance here for positive change, and more positive outlooks. Help is readily available for those who are struggling – not just out in the world, but here at SDA as well.