The members of Generation Z — the group of people born after 1996 and before 2013 — are growing up alongside an increase in violence, sexual harassment and assault reports, and climate change concerns.
The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted both their daily lives and long-term plans and Gen Zs are increasingly uncertain of their finances, their access to healthcare, and even their government.
However, Gen Zs also are more likely than previous generations to seek help for their depression, stress, and anxiety which can help them manage their shared and personal stressors.
This article looks at possible reasons for depression among Gen Z and discusses ways they can seek help.
According to a 2019 study published in the Journal of Abnormal Psychology, between 2009 and 2017 depression rates increased more than:
Gen Zs are aware of the struggle, too. A 2018 survey of teens 13–17 years old reports that 70% of respondents see anxiety and depression as a “major problem” among their peers.
Another
However, the authors note the study is limited due to occasional inaccuracies in death certificates (e.g., an intentional opioid overdose recorded as accidental).
While Gen Z children, teens, and adults encounter many of the same stressors as generations before them, it is possible they experience a more intense version, especially given the myriad of news and social media outlets.
For example, Gen Z has seen an abundance of violence in a relatively short time period.
The decades following the 9/11 attacks on New York City’s World Trade Center in 2001 brought several more large-scale terrorist attacks, including those in Boston, London, Paris, and Madrid. Unsurprisingly, public concern about terrorism has increased since the mid-1990s.
Additionally, active shooter incidents have increased since 2000. In America, the numbers climbed from 1 incident in 2000 to 30 incidents in 2017 and the majority of those shootings took place in vulnerable public places such as schools, commercial businesses, and open spaces. In 2018, the American Psychological Association’s (APA) annual Stress in America Survey reports 75% of Gen Z youth surveyed stated mass shootings are a significant source of stress.
Regarding major issues in the national news, the same survey states that overall, more Gen Zs than adults are stressed about the:
Gen Z, also called zoomers, might have more anxiety over climate change than past generations. A 2019 survey shows Gen Z adults are more involved with climate change concerns than Gen X, Boomers, and in most cases, Millennials.
While social media use is not unique to Generation Z, it does present some challenges unique to Zoomers, especially those on the younger end of the timeline. For example, during a 2021 study of Gen Z adolescents aged 10–17, researchers found a relationship between problematic social media use (PSMU) and:
Unsurprisingly, the COVID-19 pandemic has taken a toll on Generation Z’s mental health. According to the the APA’s 2021 Stress in America Survey:
Learn more about COVID-19 decision fatigue here.
Additionally, the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as quarantining, has disrupted everyday issues that were already possible contributors to Generation Z depression and stress, including:
It is possible government institutions and political climates, including their perceived handling of race issues, play significant roles in Generation Z’s mental health as well.
For example, over a 3-month period in 2020 Morning Consult surveyed a small sample of Gen Zs (1,000 people) regarding their trust in major U.S. government institutions. Each month, participants reported trusting their elders more than the police, the criminal justice system, and any level of government.
According to the APA, Gen Zs are significantly more likely than previous generations to seek help for mental health conditions, such as depression and anxiety. It could therefore be assumed that perhaps Gen Z deal with less stigma related issues around mental health compared to previous generations.
That said, some Gen Zs do still deal with stigma related to both mental health and their communities.
For example, a 2021 survey of nearly 35,000 LGBTQ adolescents and young adults aged 13–24 found that:
Likewise, a
Learn more about racism and mental health here.
Gen Zs looking for help in managing depression, anxiety, and stress might consider:
Additionally, recent
Learn more about teen anxiety and depression, including tips on how to cope, here.
Gen Zs are growing up and coming of age in a time of heightened stress and anxiety. From violence and terrorism to a global pandemic, Zoomers have dealt with significant issues in a relatively short period of time.
Members of Generation Z report higher rates of depression and a number of other mental health conditions than do generations before them.
At the same time, they are more likely than previous generations to report these problems, positioning those who seek help in a place to receive it.
If people are concerned, they should seek advice from mental health providers, who will be able to direct toward treatment options for depression, that may include talk therapy or medications.
Last medically reviewed on March 24, 2022
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