Core Takeaways
- 42% of Generation Z in America are dealing with a mental health condition.
- About 32% of Gen Z in the USA reported having been diagnosed with a behavioral health condition.
- Gen Z has high rates of mental health issues, such as anxiety, depression, stress, and loneliness, compared to other generations.
- Gen Z’s mental health experiences vary by region, with North America having the highest rates of mental health issues
Introduction
Gen Z is a term used to describe the demographic cohort that was born between the mid-to-late 1990s and the early 2010s. They are also known as Zoomers, iGeneration, centennials, or post-millennials. They are the children of Generation X and the successors of Millennials. Gen Z is the first generation to grow up with access to the internet and portable digital technology from a young age, which makes them digital natives.
As the first generation to grow up with access to the internet and digital technology from a young age, Gen Z is more connected, diverse, educated, and socially conscious than previous generations. However, they are also more exposed to stress, anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues that affect their well-being and future prospects. Gen Z has high rates of mental health problems both in the USA and globally.
2023 Gen Z Mental Health Statistics in the USA
Gen Z Mental Health Status and Issues Statistics in the USA
- 42% of Generation Z in America are dealing with a mental health condition, with anxiety, depression, ADHD, and PTSD being the most commonly diagnosed issues.
- Only 45% of Gen Z described their mental health as “excellent” or “very good”, compared to 70% of baby boomers.
- Gen Z also reported more stress and emotional distress than other generations due to issues such as mass shootings, immigration, sexual harassment, and COVID-19.
- Gen Z is more likely than other generations to report they have received treatment or therapy from a mental health professional (37%), and to have thought about, planned, or attempted suicide in the past year (18%).
- Gen Z also reported more unmet social needs, such as income, employment, education, food, housing, transportation, social support, and safety, which are associated with higher rates of mental health problems.
- The COVID-19 pandemic has worsened mental health for many Gen Zers, with 46% reporting that their mental health deteriorated during the pandemic.
Top Diagnosed Mental Health Conditions Among Gen Z
| Mental Health Conditions | Proportion of Gen Z |
| Anxiety | 90% |
| Depression | 78% |
| ADHD | 27% |
| PTSD | 20% |
| OCD | 17% |
| Eating Disorder | 14% |
| Insomnia | 12% |
| Bipolar Disorder | 8% |
| Borderline Personality Disorder | 7% |
| Addiction and Substance Abuse | 6% |
Gen Z Mental Health Statistics in the USA Based on Gender
- Women (47%), nonbinary (54%), and transgender (67%) respondents were more likely to report having a mental health condition than men (37%).
- Anxiety was the most common condition across all genders and sexual orientations, followed by depression.
Gen Z Mental Health Statistics in the USA Based on Age
- Younger Gen Zers (ages 18 to 21) were more likely to report their mental health as fair or poor (29%) than older Gen Zers (ages 22 to 25) (23%).
- Younger Gen Zers were also more likely to report having been diagnosed with a behavioral-health condition (28%) than older Gen Zers (24%).
Gen Z Mental Health Statistics in the USA Based on Race
- Black (29%) and Hispanic (26%) Gen Zers were more likely to report feeling more emotionally distressed than white (22%) and Asian American (19%) Gen Zers.
- Black (32%) and Hispanic (31%) Gen Zers were also more likely to report having been diagnosed with a behavioral-health condition than white (24%) and Asian American (18%) Gen Zers.
Comparison of Gen Z Mental Health Statistics With Those of Other Generations in the USA
- Gen Z is more likely than other generations to report their mental health as fair or poor. 27% of Gen Z reported their mental health as fair or poor, compared to 15% of millennials, 13% of Gen Xers, 7% of baby boomers, and 5% of older adults.
- Gen Z is also more likely than other generations to report having been diagnosed with a behavioral-health condition, such as a mental or substance use disorder. About 32% of Gen Z reported having been diagnosed with a behavioral-health condition, compared to 25% of millennials, 21% of Gen Xers, 16% of baby boomers, and 9% of older adults.
- Gen Z is also more likely than other generations to report feeling more emotionally distressed due to current events and personal issues. 25% of Gen Z reported feeling more emotionally distressed than other generations (13% for millennials and Gen Xers, and 8% for baby boomers).
- Gen Z also reported more stress than other generations due to issues such as mass shootings (75%), immigration (57%), sexual harassment (53%), climate change (58%), and COVID-19 (81%).
- However, Gen Z is also more likely than other generations to seek treatment or therapy from a mental health professional. 37% of Gen Z reported receiving treatment or therapy from a mental health professional, compared to 35% of millennials, 26% of Gen Xers, 22% of baby boomers, and 15% of older adults.
Factors That Contribute To Mental Health Challenges Of Gen Z in the USA
- Current events and personal issues: Gen Z is more exposed to stress and emotional distress due to issues such as mass shootings, immigration, sexual harassment, climate change, and COVID-19. These issues may feel beyond their control and affect their sense of safety, security, and belonging.
- Personal issues: Gen Z is also more likely to face personal challenges such as income, employment, education, food, housing, transportation, social support, and safety, which are associated with higher rates of mental health problems.
- Developmental stage: Gen Z is at a critical stage of development where they are transitioning from childhood to adulthood and forming their identity, values, and goals. They may experience more uncertainty, confusion, pressure, and expectations from themselves and others. They may also struggle with self-esteem, body image, peer relationships, sexuality, and academic or career choices.
- Digital technology and social media: Gen Z is the first generation to grow up with access to the internet and digital technology from a young age. They are more connected, informed, and engaged than previous generations. However, they are also more vulnerable to the negative effects of digital technology and social media, such as cyberbullying, online harassment, misinformation, comparison, isolation, and addiction. Digital technology and social media may also interfere with their sleep quality, physical activity, and face-to-face interactions.
- Stigma and barriers to care: Gen Z is more aware of and accepting of mental health issues than previous generations. They are also more likely to seek treatment or therapy from a mental health professional. However, they may still face stigma and barriers to care from their families, communities, or society at large. Some of these barriers include lack of access, affordability, availability, quality, or cultural competence of mental health services.
Symptoms Experienced By Gen Z Due To Stress
| Symptoms | Proportion of Gen Z |
| feeling depressed or sad | 58% |
| lack of interest, motivation, or energy | 55% |
| feeling nervous or anxious | 54% |
| lying awake at night due to stress | 68% |
| eating too much or eating unhealthy food | 58% |
Gen Z Mental Health Statistics Globally
Gen Z Mental Health Statistics in North America
- Gen Z has high rates of mental health issues, with 61% reporting feeling nervous, anxious, or on edge, and 42% feeling down, hopeless, or depressed over the past two weeks.
- Only 45% of Gen Z describe their mental health as “excellent” or “very good”.
- Gen Z is the least likely generation to report positive overall mental health.
- 18% of Gen Z report having an anxiety disorder and 23% report being diagnosed with depression, higher rates than other generations.
- More than two in five Gen Zers have a clinically-diagnosed mental health condition. Stress is a significant factor in Gen Z’s mental health struggles, with 91% reporting experiencing at least one physical or emotional symptom of stress.
- Gen Zers are also more likely to feel alone.
- The COVID-19 pandemic has worsened mental health for many Gen Zers, with 46% reporting that their mental health worsened during the pandemic.
Gen Z Mental Health Statistics in Europe
- Gen Z has moderate rates of mental health issues, with 49% reporting feeling nervous, anxious, or on edge, and 34% feeling down, hopeless, or depressed.
- 54% of Gen Z describe their mental health as “excellent” or “very good”.
- Gen Z is more likely than other generations to report positive overall mental health.
- 14% of Gen Z report having an anxiety disorder and 16% report being diagnosed with depression, lower rates than other generations.
- About one in four Gen Zers have a clinically-diagnosed mental health condition.
- Stress is a moderate factor in Gen Z’s mental health struggles, with 79% reporting experiencing at least one physical or emotional symptom of stress.
- Gen Zers in Europe are less likely to feel alone than other regions.
- The COVID-19 pandemic has moderately affected mental health for many Gen Zers, with 36% reporting that their mental health worsened during the pandemic.
Gen Z Mental Health Statistics in Asia
- Gen Z has low rates of mental health issues, with 38% reporting feeling nervous, anxious, or on edge, and 25% feeling down, hopeless, or depressed.
- 64% of Gen Z describe their mental health as “excellent” or “very good”.
- Gen Z is the most likely generation to report positive overall mental health.
- 10% of Gen Z report having an anxiety disorder and 11% report being diagnosed with depression, the lowest rates among all regions.
- About one in five Gen Zers have a clinically-diagnosed mental health condition.
- Stress is a low factor in Gen Z’s mental health struggles, with 67% reporting experiencing at least one physical or emotional symptom of stress.
- Gen Zers in Asia are more likely to feel connected than other regions.
- The COVID-19 pandemic has mildly affected mental health for many Gen Zers, with 28% reporting that their mental health worsened during the pandemic.
Gen Z Mental Health Statistics in Africa
- Data on Gen Z’s mental health in Africa is scarce and inconsistent.
- However, some sources suggest that Gen Z has high rates of mental health issues, especially in countries affected by conflict, poverty, violence, and disease.
- For example, in Nigeria 51% of adolescents reported symptoms of depression and anxiety during the COVID-19 lockdown.
- In South Africa, 27% of adolescents reported symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder after exposure to community violence.
Gen Z Mental Health Statistics in Latin America
- Data on Gen Z’s mental health in Latin America is limited and variable.
- However, some sources suggest that Gen Z has moderate to high rates of mental health issues, especially in countries affected by social unrest, economic instability, and environmental disasters.
- For example, in Chile 56% of adolescents reported symptoms of depression and anxiety during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- In Brazil, 23% of adolescents reported symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder after exposure to urban violence.
Conclusion
In the USA and globally, Gen Z has high rates of mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, stress, and loneliness, compared to other generations. Gen Z is also more likely to have a clinically-diagnosed mental health condition and to seek treatment or therapy from a mental health professional. However, they may still face stigma and barriers to care from their families, communities, or society at large.
Gen Z’s mental health challenges are influenced by various factors, such as current events and personal issues, developmental stage, digital technology and social media, and stigma and barriers to care. Their mental health experiences also vary by region, with North America having the highest rates of mental health issues, followed by Europe, Asia, Africa, and Latin America.