A lot has been said about mental health in these past few months. It has not just reduced the stigma around mental health and seeking help but has also made it more accessible for many.
However, people online have been discussing why so many people from Gen-Z or those born in 1995 and onwards are seeking therapy.
Why are so many Gen Z kids (born 1995 onwards) in therapy? Almost every friend of my daughter (1995 born) has gone through/ going through therapy, counselling etc. Is it something we did wrong as parents, or is it social media, or what? Would really like to understand this.
— Sandipan Deb (@sandipanthedeb) January 18, 2021
There is a varied range of reasons that crossed the minds of many. For example, some pointed out how social media creates unnecessary pressure to excel in all aspects of our lives. Some also pointed out that the younger generation live more individualistic lives. Living in nuclear families, moving out from home at an early age, making lesser friends is what some suggested might be the root of all problems.
The stress on us, was a fraction of what the newer generation feels. There is too much validation needed.
The max we had to deal with was sharmaji’s beta or beti. They have to deal with the whole world 👀— Harini Calamur (#StayHome) (@calamur) January 19, 2021
Conversations are going down. Snapping is in. Oftentimes I remember being sat down by father to watch news together and we’d talk about it. Kids don’t do it anymore. Different watch, nothing to talk about
— saket साकेत ಸಾಕೇತ್ 🇮🇳 (@saket71) January 19, 2021
Earlier cousins used to be support system, with nuclear family culture no one to share problem with, otherwise spirituality patience had reduced now only way left is get counseling
Peer pressure and no mechanism to deal with it— Keep Smiling (@upma23) January 19, 2021
entitled childhoods, mediocrity rewarded,they have zero resilience as they have never had to face the consequences, parents grandparents maids drivers dancing to their tunes, then when they step into the real world, starting from mean high school they don’t know what hit them !
— saumya menon (@mya_saum) January 18, 2021
constant blaming us for everything instead of actually trying to help us deal with the new needs and demands of this new, ultra materialistic, technologically confusing world, didn't help it either. The generational gap is bigger than it has ever been.
— Mishel (@HiTweeties) January 19, 2021
There were also many who suggested that more people are going for therapy because it isn’t as much of a taboo anymore than it was until a few years back. The younger generations are more responsible when it comes to taking accountability for their own toxic traits and trying to break generational trauma.
and my world collapsed. what had i done that he needed therapy? till son sat me down and explained that it is no big deal. i just need to talk about few things that i know you & dad will go bonkers about. he made me look at therapy in a new & different way.
— Kanchana Banerjee (@justkanchana) January 18, 2021
1. These kids actually have acknowledged their issues and want help instead of repressing it like their previous gens (hint: Gen X)
2. They have awareness about mental health and relatively less shame.
3. They don't want to harm others with their repressed anger like Gen Xers do. https://t.co/Yin0rAPLLf— Disgruntled Pelican 🏳️🌈 (@ThisisLLN) January 19, 2021
maybe it's just decades of stigmatized attitude towards going to therapy finally being outed as toxic, and the parents of that specific generation are like "hey therapy can be preventative and good, like going to the dentist twice a year" and are encouraging to positivity 🤷♀️ https://t.co/iSNfPyQcan
— Katrina Dawn (@VolpinaVespa) January 19, 2021
They are in a way fortunate to understand that mental health is not an imaginary thing… And they have parents/friends/social media who trust/support them when they say "I need help" https://t.co/9mN3HRRR9i
— Avinash Ramachandran (@TheHatmanTweets) January 19, 2021
Because their parents & grandparents didn't go to therapy and still rubbish the existence of mental health issues. Our generation is capable of evolving into being more accepting and giving support when needed. Also more tools to understand, differentiate and treat disorders. https://t.co/kr1gUYPrCn
— Tu Kaun Hai Bey (@radzzzzster) January 19, 2021
Because we recognize that taking care of our mental health is as important as taking care of our physical health. Our parents' generation passed on their trauma and projected so many of their problems on to us, many of us don't wish to continue that cycle of hurt. https://t.co/irEmFMILDu
— Sherina (@Sherinapoyyail) January 19, 2021
Diff types of mental trauma today, eg
1)Higher anxiety, partly due to higher aspirations & greater competition.
2) Strained relationship btwn parents, more than in the past
3) SM pushes you towards wanting greater validation.More reasons too. https://t.co/kjJVEUMgcq
— Raja راجہ – awaaz do, hum ek hain (@Raja_Sw) January 19, 2021
Nothing wrong in seeking help, I sought out help as a teenager and an adult. A more likely explanation is that growing up few of us had the anyone to visit for help, I was damn lucky that my school got a counsellor when we were in Class X and I was dealing with my parents divorce https://t.co/R68IAReljP
— Kushan Mitra (@kushanmitra) January 19, 2021
Assuming this is true, it's something to celebrate. You did nothing wrong: you raised children who are willing to ask for help when they need it, & who do not attach the same stigma to therapy / counseling that previous generations did (& still do). https://t.co/iTl7rcf72M
— Ameya Ashok Naik (@Kianayema) January 19, 2021
There is no single answer to why more people are going for therapy these days. Reduced stigma but also social media pressure, validation, difficult relationship dynamics, financial strain, etc. all have a role to play.