Nearly 42 Percent of Gen Zers Suffer from Mental Illness, Study Shows
-
Updated
Nov 15, 2022
![]()
A new study found that nearly 70 percent of Generation Z say their mental health was challenged by the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to The Christian Post, the study from data management firm Harmony Healthcare IT found that 42 percent of adult members of Generation Z report they have been diagnosed with a mental health condition and are worried about the future.
Generation Z is made up of people born between 1997 and 2012.
“Gen Z is worried about the future. Nearly 90 percent of Gen Z does not feel like their generation has been set up for success, and 7 percent feel they have a disadvantage compared to other generations,” the report said.
The study evaluated responses from more than 1,000 Gen Z members between the ages of 18 and 24.
The study also found that 57 percent of Gen Z adults who struggle with their mental health are actively taking medication for their condition, and on average, they pay about $44 monthly for medication costs.
Meanwhile, one in five reported seeking therapy for their mental health and spending about $149 monthly for services. About 87 percent said they found therapy helpful.
Anxiety (90 percent) and depression (78 percent) were the top conditions reported by Gen Z adults. Other conditions included ADHD, PTSD, OCD, eating disorders, and insomnia. Less than 10 percent reported diagnoses for bipolar disorder, borderline personality disorder, and addiction and substance abuse.
“Nearly a third (31 percent) of Gen Zers said they would rate their overall mental health in 2022 as bad. When asked to describe their mental health over the period of one month, one out of four reported having more bad days than good,” researchers said in the report. “On average, Gen Z reported about 10 tough mental health days in the span of one month.”
The report also found the following:
- Eighty-seven percent of Gen Z adults feel comfortable talking about their mental health.
- Fifty-two percent said they do not feel comfortable discussing mental health with their boss.
- About 62 percent reported taking at least one mental health day off school or work.
- Gen Zers spends a daily average of four hours on social media
Photo courtesy: Amir Hosseini/Unsplash
Amanda Casanova is a writer living in Dallas, Texas. She has covered news for ChristianHeadlines.com since 2014. She has also contributed to The Houston Chronicle, U.S. News and World Report and IBelieve.com. She blogs at The Migraine Runner.
