Generation Z - individuals born from the late 1990s to early 2010s - is facing an acute mental health crisis. Worldwide studies show that young adults today report worse emotional well-being than previous generations, with high anxiety, depression, and loneliness casting a long shadow. In fact, many Gen Zers between ages 18–29 are flourishing less than older cohorts, inverting the traditional happiness curve.

Compounding the crisis are higher rates of self-harm, suicide ideation, and emergency mental health care usage. In the U.S., suicide rates among youth ages 10–24 have spiked by over 50% in recent years, with girls experiencing an almost 167% increase.

The drivers are complex: omnipresent social media amplifies comparison and loneliness, while ecological and economic uncertainty fuels chronic stress. Gen Zers are also twice as likely as older generations to experience unmet social needs - food, housing, mental health support - and rely heavily on crisis text lines or social apps instead of professional care.

Despite greater openness around the topic, systemic barriers persist. Many cannot access timely therapy due to cost, stigma, or insufficient provider availability, especially among marginalized groups.