Gen Z and Mental Health: What This Generation Is Really Struggling With

In my work with Gen Z across India, I have personally noticed that emotional exhaustion has become almost normalised. Many young people are not struggling because they lack strength or discipline, but because they have been under constant pressure for years without enough emotional support.

A concern I frequently observe is academic and career anxiety. Students and young adults often feel torn between their own interests and their family’s expectations. The fear of disappointing parents, combined with comparison to peers and relatives, quietly fuels anxiety, perfectionism, and burnout. Even those who perform well often describe feeling inadequate.

Social media plays a significant role in shaping self-worth. I have noticed how easily online standards of success, appearance, and productivity influence confidence. Constant comparison can distort self-image and increase anxiety, especially during the identity-forming years.

Emotionally, many Gen Z individuals find it difficult to express themselves at home. In therapy sessions, I often hear that feelings are dismissed or misunderstood. In the Indian context, emotional expression is still frequently equated with weakness. Psychologically, suppressed emotions do not disappear; they surface later as irritability, numbness, sleep disturbances, or physical fatigue.

At the same time, I have personally noticed something encouraging. Gen Z is more open to therapy, self-reflection, and conversations about boundaries than previous generations. They are seeking understanding, not shortcuts.

From my professional experience, supporting Gen Z’s mental health is not about pushing resilience or productivity. It is about listening without judgement, reducing unrealistic expectations, and teaching emotional awareness and regulation early. When given the right support, this generation shows remarkable insight, empathy, and capacity to heal.

Ms. Joyce - Psychologist,Ushaar.com