Six in ten Gen Z (those born between 1997 and 2010) report feeling overwhelmed and lacking in adequate mental health support, according to a 2025 study by the Global Coalition for Youth Mental Health, an initiative between UNICEF and private sector partners.

Due to geopolitical concerns, economic uncertainty and ecological crisis, this generation feels more “disempowered” than ever, said the survey of 5,600 Gen Z aged 15–24.
Other issues include the stigma surrounding mental illness, as well as a lack of knowledge or access to sufficient resources from mental health services.

However, the study also discovered evidence of young people displaying resilient and inspiring attitudes, despite their mental health struggles. This same demographic remains hopeful and willing to contribute to a better and brighter future of their shaping. This shows mental resilience in the face of global crises, a very valuable learned trait.

Within this article, I aim to explore possible causes for the high level of mental stress experienced by Gen Z in today’s modern technological age.

Digital overload

Another 2025 study, published by the International Journal of Social Psychiatry, says many mental health issues are rooted in social media – or more specifically, the “hyperconnectivity” teens and young adults experience with the digital world. The report says that technology may pose as many risks as it does benefits, including anxiety, depression and social comparison.

Researchers from Indonesia and South Korea also reported on Gen Z mental health in 2025. They noted four common themes across mental health issues: digital overload; academic and career pressure; isolation and loneliness; and global uncertainly.

Social media works as a negative feedback loop because it makes individuals addicted to receiving continuous affirmation. Digital overload also contributes to emotional exhaustion and affects a person’s ability to manage stress and their quality of sleep.

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Materialism

Factors that influence Gen Z’s mental health and behaviour include high financial ambitions, the trend of comparing oneself to others on social media, and external pressure.

Recent studies into Gen Z in the United States report that 94% of youth struggle with their mental health on a monthly basis. This is especially true among the LGBTQ+ community, youth of colour and girls.

Almost 20 years ago, Oliver James, author of The Selfish Capitalist, remarked that materialism is the primary marker of mental illness in English-speaking countries and that it “increases risk of depression, anxiety, substance abuse, narcissism and the feeling that your life is joyless”. Others argue that Western systems of neoliberal capitalism cause mental distress at all levels of society.

Perfectionism

Gen Z are also handicapping themselves by pushing themselves to external standards. The practice of ‘maxxing’ – a slang term for extracting the highest possible value from every action – is a major trend that is normalised and internalised at a personal level.

South Korean-German philosopher Byung-Chul Han describes this perfectly in his book, The Burnout Society (2010).

British cultural theorist Mark Fisher notes in his work Capital Realism (2009) that the idea of mental illnesses being rooted solely in chemico-biological issues is both untrue and a tool of capitalistic societies for its own benefit. In a “hustle culture” composed of hard workers and perfectionists, many are driven by the incentive to exploit one another, but they also might as well be their own exploiters.

Furthermore, as a society we chose to deny the possibility of a connection between mental illness in youth and deeper problems within society.

Need for human connection

Humans are social creatures, so our personal sense of identity can be muddled due to our need to blend into the communities around us, so much so that our brains have even developed a “warning signal” when these community-related needs are not meant. This is especially true for young people who are still learning to navigate their way in the world.

This is why human connection is so relevant in understanding – and dealing with – the causes and effects of mental illness. Therapy and medication have become the only known solutions to mental instability, but there are other methods.

Being more physically active may help with stress and sleep quality, but many people are uninterested in doing such activity. Scientists also recommend digital detox practices, as well as seeking support from one’s peers.

Gen Z is generally more prone to tackle mental health issues through therapy, without the stigma that can hinder older generations. Despite a lack of a statistical figure for mental health support, Gen Z is more open to talking about psychological problems and is progressive about fixing their mental health. It is this progressive attitude that brings forth greater resilience.

In order for our generation to reclaim a vital sense of agency, as well as close the gaps in both mental health and wellbeing, external support is needed from several sources including governments, schools, employers and businesses.