SILENT STRUGGLE

Gen Z is the generation born between the mid-1990s and the early 2010s. They are simply referred to as the most progressive, tech-oriented, and socially conscious generation so far. But behind the beautiful pictures on Instagram and trendy dance steps on TikTok, there lies a hidden problem anxiety, depression, and extreme stress. Unlike generations before them, Gen Z grew up in a world where the internet is a part of everyday life. Worth is measured by likes over there, and pressure to perform is intensified by constant comparison with others. Their mental health problems are complicated, rooted deep in the society of today, and are not easily comprehensible to older generations that grew up without smartphones.

One of the largest issues is the enormous increase in depression and anxiety in teenagers. Gen Z has higher rates of mental illness than any generation their age, says the American Psychological Association. A study by the Journal of Abnormal Psychology published in 2019 reported that between 2009 and 2017, the rate of depression in teenagers increased more than 60%, and girls were disproportionately affected. There are plenty of explanations stress in school, financial issues, bad social media, and a world that is more unpredictable. Gen Z kids were born into the internet, unlike Millennials, who came of age as the internet began its rise to prominence. As such, the world online is simply part of their reality. Constantly seeing idealized versions of other people's lives distorts reality, one where everyone else is happier, more successful, and more put together.

Social media brings people together but is also troublesome. Social media platforms such as Instagram and TikTok make us compare ourselves with others, something psychologists refer to as "social comparison theory." This means that we measure our self-worth against how well we belong among the people surrounding us. A 2020 report by the Royal Society for Public Health states that the use of social media is related to higher levels of anxiety, depression, and sleep, and that Instagram is the most negative for mental health. Young people compare themselves with the endless flow of holiday snaps, relationships, and successes, feeling they are not doing as well. It is exhausting to keep up an online image; every post, story, or tweet is monitored very carefully, leading to a condition referred to as "digital fatigue," where the need to stay popular conflicts with the need to be real.

But it's not only social media economic insecurity is a gargantuan issue for the mental health of Gen Z. Many grew up during the COVID-19 pandemic, which was an era of global uncertainty, unemployment, and interrupted education. They even had to deal with a job market characterized by gig work, low pay, and out-of-control housing costs before the pandemic. A 2021 Deloitte survey reported that nearly half of Gen Zers report they worry about their financial futures, with many unsure if they'll ever be able to retire or own a home. Student loan debt isn't helping; 45 million borrowers in the United States alone owe more than $1.7 trillion, holding many young adults in limbo before their careers even begin. The old playbook of "go to college, find a job, buy a house" feels outdated, replaced by a world where financial security is unattainable.

Academic pressure is a top cause of mental illness. Pressure to excel in school, to get scholarships, and to secure high-paying jobs begins early, fueled by parents and teachers who believe success is all about good grades and elite college degrees. A National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (2019) report concluded that excessive academic pressure is linked to increased anxiety and depression in adolescents. The encouragement of standardized testing, hyper-competitive college admissions, and cultural idealization of overwork (the "hustle culture") leaves no room for error. Burnout, once a term used for office professionals, is now prevalent among teenagers taking AP courses, playing sports or clubs, and working part-time all while attempting to maintain a social life. Loneliness is one of the hallmarks of Gen Z's mental health crisis. Despite being the most digital generation of all time, they feel appallingly alone. A 2021 study by Harvard discovered that 61% of young adults between 18-25 experience "serious loneliness," which is more than any other demographic. Online communication can never be substituted for the depth of emotional connection in face-to-face relationships, and the pandemic cast this chasm wider. Friendships are sustained through text and memes rather than shared experiences, so individuals feel like they're drifting on an ocean of superficial connections. The irony sears: a generation that can connect with anyone in the world with a flick of a screen often can't seem to make actual, meaningful connections.

Climate anxiety is a new kind of stress that Gen Z faces. Though other generations have had the threat of environmental disasters looming over their heads, they have had scientists warning them of the threat of climate change, which may not be reversible. A 2021 international survey published in and carried out by The Lancet reported that 60% of youth are "very worried" or "extremely worried" about climate change. Youth feel betrayed by their governments and by previous generations. They are right to be worried about their future; they are inheriting a crisis world. Though activism makes them feel empowered, the scale of the problem may make their single effort small, which induces hopelessness.

More people undergo mental health education and therapy these days, yet the assistance is still out of reach for many. Gen Z speaks more openly about mental health than previous generations, yet they are also stigmatized, particularly in impoverished or conservative communities. Even when individuals receive assistance, they have to wait long periods, pay huge costs, and have limited access to mental health clinicians, and many are unable to receive treatment. Teletherapy apps are a recent alternative, but they are not without faults; in some research, electronic therapy is reported to lack the human aspect of in-office therapy and therefore less effective in severe instances. So where does that leave Gen Z? They are a generation between big opportunity and a lot of pressure, between virtual connection and loneliness in the real world, between hope for change and despair at the way things are. Their mental health problems are symptomatic of bigger problems in society a world that expects them to be perfect and gives them little help. The answers are complex, but they begin with seeing the problem: Gen Z is not "too sensitive" or "addicted to their phones." They are dealing with a reality that no other generation has had to deal with, and their problems are worth hearing, not dismissing. Maybe the first step is to set the phone aside, have real conversations, and remember behind every screen is a person just trying to get through another day.