Generation Z and Mental Health: New Challenges and Perspectives in the 21st Century
Generation Z might avoid the traditional midlife crisis, but at the same time faces new mental health challenges that originate early in youth.
The well-known phenomenon of midlife crisis, which has been documented globally for decades, may become a thing of the past, as recent studies indicate: mental health issues are increasingly prevalent among young people and are taking on systemic dimensions.
An analysis conducted by researchers from Dartmouth College, University College London, and the Fiscal Research Institute revealed that the traditional ‘U-shaped’ happiness curve—characterized by a dip in well-being during midlife followed by a recovery in old age—no longer applies.
Instead, a trend has emerged: rising anxiety, stress, and depression predominantly affect young individuals before decreasing with age.
This phenomenon is supported by a global study analyzing over 10 million adults across the US and UK, which shows that peaks of mental health disorders now occur among the 18-24 age group, whereas earlier, the highest levels were observed in the 40-50-year-olds.
Women in all age groups report higher levels of despair compared to men.
This widespread pattern is also confirmed by data from almost 44 countries involved in the Global Minds project (2020–2025).
The research indicates that the ‘hump of unhappiness,’ historically associated with middle age, is disappearing globally—a sign of profound shifts in psychological dynamics among modern youth.
While the precise causes are still under investigation, preliminary hypotheses include long-term economic consequences of the Great Recession, underfunding of mental health services, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the growing influence of social media and online environments.
Experts warn that this change compels urgent measures to support young people’s mental well-being.
At the same time, the rise of AI chatbots designed for psychological assistance raises concerns about potential risks: emotional dependence, misdiagnosis, heightened anxiety, and suicidal thoughts.
Professionals emphasize the necessity of regulation and safety standards for AI tools, noting they cannot substitute professional psychotherapy but can complement it if used responsibly.