Gen Z Faces Mounting Mental Health Challenges Amidst ‘Permacrisis‘
LONDON – A recent YouGov survey reveals a significant rise in mental health difficulties among young people, with nearly two-thirds of 16- to 25-year-olds reporting they have experienced, or are currently experiencing, mental health challenges. Approximately one-third anticipate needing mental health support within the next 12 months.
Experts suggest this surge is linked to a confluence of factors, including constant exposure to global crises – a phenomenon increasingly termed “permacrisis” – and the pervasive influence of social media. The digital landscape presents a relentless stream of often-disturbing content, as exemplified by recent events witnessed by many young people: news of the shooting of political activist Charlie Kirk, followed by graphic imagery circulating on platforms like Instagram, and subsequent online reactions on X, Bluesky, and Reddit. Even seeking respite on platforms like TikTok can expose users to perhaps harmful content, including depictions of violence alongside idealized portrayals of lifestyle and body image.
This generation has grown up immersed in this habitat, spending thier formative years connected to smartphones and social media. Data indicates low levels of physical activity – only one in ten teenagers achieve an hour of daily exercise – coupled with a reliance on dopamine-driven stimulation.
Furthermore, a shift in cultural messaging around mental health, emphasizing the importance of every feeling and potentially blurring the lines between trauma and everyday discomfort, may contribute to increased self-diagnosis and a focus on treatable conditions. the proliferation of online content from non-experts pathologizing normal adolescent behaviors has also been noted.
Analysts argue that the sheer volume of information and stimulation experienced by Gen Z surpasses anything previous generations faced, potentially overwhelming their cognitive capacity. This constant bombardment of conflicting content, they say, is detrimental to developing minds, and the current environment – characterized by digital immersion and limited real-world interaction – may leave young people feeling isolated and unsupported.