Gen Z (those born between 1997 and 2012) seeks mental health support at almost double the rate of Millennials (born 1981 – 1996), according to data from the nurse-led support organisation, RedArc.
Analysis of thousands of referrals from working-age people over a five-year timeframe (2021 to 2025) found that 43% of Gen Z referrals were for mental health concerns, compared with just 22% of Millennials. Gen X (born 1965 – 1980) had the next highest proportion of mental health referrals at 14%, followed by Baby Boomers (born 1946 – 1964) at 9%.
Christine Husbands, commercial consultant, RedArc, said:
“What stands out is the growing willingness among younger generations to talk about mental health concerns and seek support when they need it. That does not mean other generations are less affected or less in need of help, rather that Gen Z may feel more comfortable accessing support and discussing mental wellbeing.”
Each generation faces its own pressures
RedArc sees first-hand how all generations can face different struggles at any time, and they also see how each generation can often experience particular pressures according to their life stage.
For Gen Z, while mental health may be seen as less taboo, this group deals with the pressures of social media, the long shadow of Covid and student debt.
Millennials face challenges such as balancing careers with family life, while for Gen X, it is often managing the demands of caring for both children and ageing parents that can bear down heavily on their mental wellbeing. For Baby Boomers, concerns can centre more around retirement, health and long-term financial security.
Of course, life can also throw curveballs at any stage which can prove challenging at any time.
With this in mind, organisations that provide mental health support should ensure that people of all generations are offered support and know how to access it when they need it. The data suggests a need for organisations – including providers and employers – to engage proactively with every generation, including those who may be less likely to actively seek support or talk openly about their mental health concerns, even when the need for support is just as great.
Building resilience
Effective mental health support to help people through particularly difficult periods, is not only about equipping them with self-management tools and coping techniques, it is also vital that the support is provided by a qualified human.
RedArc believes this approach is beneficial to every generation, and those that are clinically trained, and specialists in mental health can tailor this to be most effective to each person they deal with.
And just as the support needs to be tailored, so too does how it is communicated. While mental health referral rates may always differ between the generations, organisations should recognise that different groups may need different approaches to encourage them to access support. When people know they can talk to a professional in confidence it can make all the difference.
Christine Husbands concluded:
“Personalised support from a qualified human mental health practitioner should be at the core of mental health care for all generations to ensure it delivers appropriate and personalised support, tailored to the individual.”
