What’s Driving Gen Z’s Poor Mental Health? Psychologist Breaks it Down

No generation struggles with mental health more than Generation Z, those born between 1997 and 2012. 

Only 41% of Gen Z respondents said they’re “thriving” in a Gallup and Walton Family Foundation poll released earlier this year and reported by CNN, but 60% of millennials surveyed said they were thriving when asked at the same age.

When questioned about their mental health and well-being, only 20 in every 100 Gen Zers say it is excellent. 

Clinical psychologist Chloe Carmichael says Gen Zers’ mental health issues likely stem from multiple factors, such as “false social standards that social media creates [and] the stifling of free speech.”

About the latter, Carmichael says that “as a clinical psychologist, I believe freedom of expression and being able to verbalize your thoughts is really good for your mental health.” 

The psychologist also points to “a decline in religiosity” among the young generation as a reason for growing depression and anxiety, as well as the extended period of social distancing and isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Carmichael joins this episode of “The Daily Signal Podcast” to explain the factors that led to today’s mental health crisis and what can be done to address such underlying causes. 

And with Christmas around the corner, Carmichael also offers some tips and tricks for how we all can navigate family and challenging relational dynamics over the holidays.  

Listen to the podcast below: