7 in 10 Gen Z Adults Report Symptoms of Depression During the Pandemic

Jan 1

Happy smiling woman with curly hair lounging on couch.

Did you know that depression is a leading cause of disability around the world?

From increased financial stress and health anxiety to rising levels of loneliness, the pandemic's mental health consequences are sweeping. A recent study from the American Psychological Association (APA) points to Gen-Z as the hardest-hit generation.

You guessed it - Gen-Z adults reported the highest levels of stress compared to any other generation and were the most likely age group to report symptoms of depression, according to the APA's 2020 Stress in America survey.

More than 7 in 10 Gen-Z adults studied reported experiencing symptoms of depression in the prior two weeks, including:

Feeling so tired they couldn't accomplish tasks
Having trouble thinking and concentrating
Feeling very restless, lonely, miserable, or unhappy

More than half of Gen-Z teens surveyed, ages 13 - 17, said that the pandemic made it impossible to plan for the future. 2/3rds of Gen-Z adults in college shared the sentiment.

So, why has Gen-Z been hit so hard? According to this study, they are "experiencing adulthood at a time when the future looks uncertain."

Thankfully, there are a few relevant strategies that the APA supports to decrease anxiety and build emotional resilience. For one, giving members of Gen-Z outlets to talk about issues that are troubling them is critical. Another outlet is practicing the rule of "3 good things," in which you reflect on 3 good things that happened at the end of the day, which may help reduce stress levels over time.

It's also worth remembering that we are amid a global pandemic, and we all may need more flexibility, space, or support than usual - and you can cite the APA on that one, too.

Further Resources:

You're not alone. If you need immediate mental health support, you can find someone to listen and support you at any of the numbers below.

LGBT National Help Center's Hotline provides text and email support at 888-843-4564.
Call The Trevor Lifeline at 866-488-7386 or text START to 678-678, or use TrevorChat.
Reach the LGBTQ+ National Help Center's National Youth Talk Line at 800-246-7743.
Call the Trans Lifeline Hotline at 877-565-8860 (US) or 877-330-6366 (Canada).
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration Helpline is available at 800-662-4357.
If you are a young person of color, text STEVE to 741741.