Generation Z, commonly called Gen Z, encompasses all those born between 1997 and 2012. Their view on mental health has broken down stigmas and shifted the perception of therapy. Gen Zers are aware of mental illnesses and disorders and are seeking treatment to help cope with or treat their condition.
Many Gen Zers are aware that mental health can impact one’s career and relationships with friends or loved ones. As a result, Gen Z is boosting the mental health industry with the demand for professionals in an already existing staffing shortage. Pacific Oaks College’s Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT) program is designed to prepare future therapists to tackle the Gen Z mental health crisis.
The MFT program teaches students how to treat mental, emotional, and relational disorders while emphasizing a holistic approach. The marriage and family therapy degree program blends theory with hands-on experiences through required fieldwork in diverse communities. Our graduate will consider the patient’s life experiences, culture, and social content.
Gen Z’s Mental Health Crisis
The mental health crisis is the overwhelming number of people who are affected by mental illness. According to the Child and Family Solutions Center, there is a generational gap in those willing to go to therapy. Not everyone seeks help, but even those who do experience the effects of the mental health staffing shortage. There are not enough mental health professionals to adequately staff every community and provide the needed services.
The American Psychiatric Association (APA) reveals the percentage of those who have received treatment or went to therapy compared to other generations:
- 37% of Gen Z
- 35% of Millennials
- 26% of Gen X
- 22% of Baby Boomers
- 15% of the Silent Generation
There has been a negative stigma around therapy and receiving mental health help. It is only now being challenged by Gen Z. This very generation is working to reshape the war on mental health but is fighting their own to overcome cognitive, emotional, and relational issues.
Gen Z mental health statistics:
- According to Harmony Healthcare IT’s report, two out of five Gen Zers go to therapy, and 53% have received professional mental health services at some point in their lives.
- The Harmon Healthcare’s study also shows that anxiety levels in Gen Z are at a concerning 61% receiving a medical diagnosis for anxiety.
What Percentage of Gen Z Is Depressed?
Research by the Walton Family Foundation states that 42% of Gen Z struggle with depression and feelings of hopelessness, which is nearly twice the rate of people over the age of 25, at 23%. Depression is a leading cause of disability in the world, and for children under 18 years old, it is the most common cause of hospitalization.
Why is Gen Z Stressed?
The Harmony Healthcare report highlights common types of anxiety in Gen Z; this includes anxiety about the future, finances, work, social activities, as well as relationships. Much can be attributed to the country’s economic status, comparing average salaries and cost of living to the older generations. Many Gen Zers feel they are falling behind due to these external factors, increasing their feelings of stress, anxiety, and even depression.
Another trigger point for Gen Z, according to the American Psychiatric Association, is the national news topics that the news channels choose to share. The APA shows that Gen Z is more likely to be stressed by national news discussing mass shootings, suicide rates, climate change, sexual harassment and assault, and immigration separation and deportation than adults overall. These sensitive topics have grown in awareness to combat the commonalities of these incidents. However, it can trigger negative feelings based on personal experiences. For example, more than 383,000 students have experienced gun violence since Columbine in 1999, heavily impacting and reshaping Gen Z’s mental health.
The Demand for Mental Health Professionals
Due to Gen Z’s mental health crisis with a significant increase in depression and anxiety, the demand for qualified mental health professionals also increased. Active and future therapists must understand Gen Z’s unique challenges and use empathy and innovation in their approach.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the demand for marriage and family therapists is rising, with a projected growth of 16% from 2023 to 2033—an average of 7,500 job openings annually.
Although MFTs explore the context of their patient’s relationships and psychologists focus more on the individual, there is also a growing need for psychologists. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 7% increase in job openings for psychologists, about 13,00 annually from 2023 to 2033.
Become a MFT and Help the Mental Health Crisis
Gen Z’s increasing awareness of mental health issues, actively breaking negative stigmas, and seeking therapy culminates in a growing demand for mental health professionals. Pacific Oaks College’s Marriage and Family Therapy program meets this need by training future therapists using a holistic, culturally aware approach.
Our MFT program combines evidence-based theories with hands-on practical experience to best prepare our graduates for making an impact on Gen Z’s mental health crisis. We emphasize compassion, empathy, and up-to-date research to create effective therapy to address Gen Z’s unique challenges.
