Gen Z Takes on Mental Health

In an article published just before COVID, the Economist reported that most of the research about Gen Z (born between the late '90s and early 2010s) suggests that the kids of this generation are less hedonistic and better behaved but lonelier than their counterparts who came before. In 2019 — just before the COVID pandemic — the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) 2019 Youth Risk Behavior Survey reported statistically significant increases in adolescent suicide, and the percentage of teens experiencing persistent sadness or hopelessness (from 26% in 2009 to 37% in 2019). Then the pandemic hit. The most vulnerable of these kids, those at the tail end of Gen Z, are now in high school after having survived (but also having their world transformed by) the pandemic.

High school can be an emotional roller coaster for teens, even under normal conditions. As such, mental health clinicians working with teens — like my colleagues and I — have wondered for a few years now how the post-pandemic high school years would unfold for the teens of Gen Z: a generation, I've argued, that resembles a Tesla, with its penchant for technological sophistication but also a sensitivity to the bumps on the road of life.

Alyssa Soldinger, a 14-year-old freshman at a suburban NY high school, recently won an essay contest describing the mental health challenges of today's Gen Z teens. Alyssa accepted my request for an interview to discuss these mental health challenges.

Source: Mind Cube 3D

John G. Cottone: Alyssa, in your paper you cited the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) 2019 Youth Risk Behavior Survey, reporting that 37% of students your age feel persistently sad or hopeless (Ivey-Stephenson et al., 2019). Why do you think that's the case?

Alyssa: Many teens are afraid to speak up or are unsure where to find a safe space. Some would like to seek therapy but only about 12% of kids actually do (according to the CDC). Many teens fight this inner battle alone because the world tells them that their problems are "insignificant," that "it's all in your head," and that "there are people in this world with bigger issues."

JGC: Well said, Alyssa. In a previous post, I advised parents, as well as friends and family members of those who are struggling with mental health issues that they would be better served by just sitting and listening to the person in their life that's struggling, rather than risk invalidating them by giving them advice or perspective. What does it feel like as a teen when a parent, teacher or other adult says one of the things you mentioned above, like "there are people in the world with bigger issues"?

A: It only makes us feel smaller than we already do. Telling an adult that you're struggling emotionally suddenly makes the problem real, and when they respond in an invalidating way like I said before, it makes you feel like something is truly wrong with you, like you're a sad monster that no one wants to be around. Then hiding becomes teens' only option because why would they want to face this feeling?

JGC: In your opinion, why do you think teens respond in this way when the adults in their lives are just trying to help?

A: Teens are extremely self-conscious and typically rely on peers for validation. When we're being bullied, adults tell us not to care about what others think, but it's not that simple. Adults are less self-conscious because they can choose who they are surrounding themselves with.

I think adults forget that they themselves are not forced to stay in toxic situations like teens are. If adults are uncomfortable with a co-worker, they can leave that job or avoid that person. If someone despises them, they can get in their car and drive away. Kids don't have this option. Kids do not have these freedoms. Adults are financially independent. But kids and teens always have to go through a parent or guardian for everything they want. And even if they can run away, they won't get far.

JGC: From your perspective, what's depression like for today's teens?

A: Mental health issues (like loneliness) and social problems (like being bullied), can each lead to depression. And depression can be experienced as emotional or emotionless. The feelings that are felt aren't joyful emotions; they have a weight that is incomprehensible to those that haven't experienced them. Most days with depression are filled with emptiness, with a side of anger and sadness.

Depression feels like you can't escape; that's why it's so common among teenagers. There's constant pressure to be stronger, faster, prettier, smarter. Your peers all seem perfect.

Teenagers can't escape. They're stuck in school. They always have to answer to authority. They always need to justify themselves.

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JGC: Why do you think some teens feel helpless at times, even suicidal?

A: When we're struggling in school we're told that going to school is a privilege, but when you're a teenager, it doesn't feel like that. You think about the big picture and the fact that in 100 years you'll be dead, and no one is going to remember you anyway, and it makes you feel like life is meaningless: So why even try?

This is what's going on in a teenager's head when she feels unimportant, or suicidal.

JGC: Do you have any advice for teens who may be feeling hopeless or suicidal?

Source: Alyssa Soldinger / Used with permission

A: In our healthy moments, we know that suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem, but when you're very emotional about something, feeling unimportant, invalidated, and hopeless, your mind can trick you into thinking that depression is permanent and will never get better, and suicide can seem like the only option. Try to remember that when your mind is playing tricks on you it will seem like suicide is the only way out, but it's not true.

It's important for teens to see that there are always ways to overcome obstacles — big or small. Whether it's getting tutoring, individual counseling, family therapy, joining a club to get more socialization, or immersing yourself in a new interest, there's always a solution, there's always a way to get around the roadblocks that are currently in your way. You are the only thing preventing yourself from improving and becoming better.

If you or someone you love is contemplating suicide, seek help immediately. For help 24/7 dial 988 for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, or reach out to the Crisis Text Line by texting TALK to 741741. To find a therapist near you, visit the Psychology Today Therapy Directory.