Gen Z reports higher rates of anxiety and depression than any older generation at the same age. Growing up hasn’t been easy, with social media pressure, worries about the future, and the feeling that everyone else is doing better. But is Gen Z really struggling with mental health more than other generations?
The data doesn’t give us a simple yes or no. Generation Z reports high rates of anxiety, depression, and loneliness, but some surveys show these rates have held steady or declined since 2021. Gen Z is also more open about mental health, which can influence how often these struggles are reported.
Key Takeaways
✔️Gen Z reports high rates of anxiety, depression, and loneliness, but recent data show some mental health indicators have improved.
✔️ Social media pressure, loneliness, financial stress, and uncertainty about the future contribute to emotional distress among Gen Z.
✔️ Persistent anxiety, depression, and panic attack symptoms that interfere with daily life need a professional psychiatric evaluation
✔️ Psychotherapy, psychiatric medication management, and combined treatment provide options for teens and young adults based on their clinical needs.
Whether the rates are rising or holding steady, struggling is a valid reason to ask for help. If stress, anxiety, or feeling overwhelmed is affecting your daily life, Orange Coast Psychiatry can help. We offer telepsychiatry and psychotherapy for teens and young adults across California. Contact us to talk with a mental health provider about what you’re experiencing.
What Do Gen Z Mental Health Statistics Reveal?
Generation Z means people born from 1997 to 2012. That makes them ages 14 to 29 in 2026. Each survey measures a different slice of that range, so compare numbers only within the same survey.
Gen Z mental health statistics show high reported distress and a recent decline. In 2023, 39.7% of U.S. high school students reported persistent sadness or hopelessness. Between 2021 and 2025, most behavioral health indicators for ages 12 to 25 held steady or improved.
How Do Gen Z Mental Health Rates Compare With Older Generations?
The answer depends on the measure. On loneliness, Gen Z scores highest. Statistical data show that more than 10,000 U.S. adults used the UCLA Loneliness Scale. Share of each group who scored as lonely:
- Gen Z (ages 18 to 22): 79%
- Millennials: 71%
- Baby Boomers: 50%
On clinical measures, the picture is more modest. SAMHSA’s 2025 national survey found that 20.6% of U.S. adults had any mental illness in the past year. Young adults aged 18 to 25 showed lower rates of any mental illness than in 2021.
Gen Z Depression and Anxiety Rates
Generation Z depression and anxiety rates are high. But according to SAMHSA’s 2025 survey, they are moving in a better direction. 15.1% of adolescents aged 12 to 17 had a major depressive episode in the past year. Another 18.0% had moderate or severe anxiety symptoms in the past 2 weeks.
Only 57.7% of adolescents with a major depressive episode received treatment. That leaves 42.3% without care.
CDC’s 2023 Youth Risk Behavior Survey shows a similar trend. 39.7% of high school students reported persistent sadness, down from over 42% in 2021. The trend is improving. The treatment gap is not closed.
Why Is Gen Z Struggling With Their Mental Health?
Social media pressure, loneliness, financial stress, and worries about the future all affect Gen Z’s mental health. Surveys show links between these challenges and emotional distress, but they do not prove that these factors directly cause mental health problems.
- Social media and online comparison
Social media can affect mental health in different ways, depending on how people use it. Seeing edited photos, watching friends share experiences you weren’t part of, or scrolling late into the night can lead to self-doubt, feelings of missing out, and less sleep.
- Loneliness and social isolation
Being connected online doesn’t always mean feeling connected to others. You can have hundreds of followers and still feel lonely. Loneliness means feeling you lack meaningful connections, while social isolation means having limited contact with others. Both can occur alongside anxiety and other emotional struggles.
- Money, school, and uncertainty about the future
Worrying about tuition, rent, finding a job, or building a career can add to everyday stress. Constant exposure to negative news and concerns about climate change can make the future feel even more uncertain. When these pressures build up, they can affect your sleep, concentration, and mood.
Which Mental Health Conditions Show Up Most in Gen Z?
Anxiety, depression, and panic attacks are the most commonly reported conditions in Gen Z. Each has recognizable signs. Symptoms that last more than 2 weeks or disrupt school, work, or relationships need a professional evaluation.
What Are the Signs of Anxiety in Generation Z?
Anxiety can make it difficult to stop worrying, even when there is no immediate reason to feel afraid. Common signs include:
- Constant worry that is difficult to control
- Feeling restless, tense, or on edge
- Muscle tension and irritability
- Trouble falling or staying asleep
- Difficulty concentrating
- Avoiding situations that trigger anxiety
What Are the Signs of Depression in Young Adults?
Depression can affect your mood, energy, interests, and ability to manage daily responsibilities. Symptoms may include:
- Persistent sadness, emptiness, or irritability
- Losing interest in activities you once enjoyed
- Sleeping too much or having trouble sleeping
- Changes in appetite or weight
- Low energy or ongoing fatigue
- Difficulty concentrating or making decisions
- Feelings of worthlessness, guilt, or hopelessness
What Are the Signs of a Panic Attack in Gen Z?
A panic attack involves a sudden wave of intense fear or discomfort that reaches its peak within minutes. Physical and emotional symptoms
can include:
- Racing or pounding heartbeat
- Shortness of breath or a feeling of suffocation
- Chest discomfort or tightness
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- Trembling or shaking
- Sweating or chills
- Fear of losing control or something terrible happening
What Treatment Options Are Available for Gen Z?
At Orange Coast Psychiatry, our mental health psychiatrist matches the treatment to your symptoms, history, and goals after a full evaluation. We create a personalized treatment plan that combines different approaches, including the following:
Psychotherapy
For teens and young adults, our talk therapy involves:
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT): It targets the thought patterns and behaviors that drive anxiety and low mood.
- Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT): This helps you build skills for emotion regulation, distress tolerance, mindfulness, and relationships.
- Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT): ACT teaches you to accept difficult thoughts and act on your values.
- Interpersonal therapy (IPT): IPT focuses on the relationships and life transitions that affect mood.
- Exposure Therapy: It gradually reduces fear of triggers, including the physical sensations of panic.
Medication Management
Psychiatric medication management is ongoing care from our licensed mental health provider. It includes evaluation, prescribing, dose adjustments, and side effect monitoring. Medication is one option within a personalized treatment plan. It is not a quick fix, and it is not right for everyone. Only prescribed when clinically needed.
Combined Treatment
Your provider combines therapy and medication if clinically needed and adjusts the plan as symptoms change.
What Daily Habits Support Mental Health Alongside Treatment?
Five daily habits support psychotherapy treatment for the mental health crisis of Generation Z: a steady sleep schedule, screen limits, sunlight and movement, journaling, and in-person connection. These habits provide health and wellness support. They do not replace psychiatric evaluation or treatment.
- Keep the same sleep and wake time every day.
- Stop screens 30 minutes before bed.
- Get 10 minutes of sunlight and a short walk.
- Write 3 lines in a journal each night.
- Meet one friend in person each week.
Get Psychiatric Care for Teens and Young Adults in California
If anxiety, depression, or ongoing stress is affecting your school, relationships, or daily life, talking to a mental health professional can help you understand what you’re experiencing and explore your treatment options.
At Orange Coast Psychiatry, we provide psychiatric evaluations, medication management, and telepsychiatry for teens and young adults across California. You can meet with a provider by secure, HIPAA-compliant video sessions from home or visit us in person. We also offer child and adolescent psychiatry for younger patients.
Ready to take the next step? Request an appointment online. We accept major insurance plans and new patients as well.
