Summary of Gen Z Mental Health Study
A freshly-led study has delved into the profound mental health crisis that is plaguing today’s youngest adult generation, namely Generation Z. The study involved 40 interviews with Gen Z participants and focused on understanding the relationship between key risk factors and their consequential impact on young people’s mental well-being.
Some of these key risk factors that the study delves into are worldwide mass shootings, the influence of social media, and the impending climate crisis. Interestingly, it was noted that despite living in a relatively safe and developed era, Gen Z perceives the world in extreme terms of safety or danger, lacking the understanding that risk is, in fact, a spectrum.
This adverse and incorrect understanding of risk is driving up the numbers of anxiety, depression, and suicidal tendencies, especially among young girls and women.
Key Findings of the Study
- Generation Z perceives risks in binary terms, a perception significantly influenced by factors like prevalent social media usage and ongoing global crises conditions.
- The resulting consequence of such a perception disparity is leading to a serious mental health crisis, with surging numbers of anxiety and depression incidences among young people.
- The study underscores the need for targeted messaging that underscores the varying degrees in risk assessment to help alleviate this growing mental health crisis.
About the Study and Gen Z Perspective on Risk
This study and the data it brings to attention were presented at the 2023 Society for Risk Analysis Annual Conference by Gabriel Rubin from Montclair State University. Rubin shed light on the unique challenges this young generation faces that are leading to an alarming rise in mental health issues. This study specifically dissected the risk factors like mass shootings, school lockdown drills, parental pressure, social media, and the climate crisis.
Despite living in one of the safest periods in human history, Gen Z perceives the world through a lens tinged with constant risk. As Rubin reveals from the interviews conducted, Gen Z is continually bombarded with news alerts that amplify their perception of risk. They view risk in stark terms: black and white or safe and dangerous.
The unfortunate outcome of this perception is a surge in anxiety, depression, and even suicidal tendencies, more so among girls and women. The research suggests that a root cause of this crisis is young peoples’ inability to understand risk in its many shades, and this needs to be addressed urgently.
Author and Source
Author: Natalie Judd
Source: Society for Risk Assessment
As a psychiatrist, I find this study important and eye-opening. It highlights the crucial need for nuanced messaging and risk education for Gen Z to help them understand the world more realistically and combat the mental health crisis. There is an urgent requirement for targeted interventions to address this alarming issue.
Dr Robert James Smith, MD, Cure of Mind