Mental Health
Why is Mental Health Important?
Mental health is a BIG issue for our generation! Studies have shown that our mental health is significantly less healthy than that of other generations, with a big factor towards this being anxiety. There are many sources of this, such as issues in the news, lots of work, jobs and college, and more. According to the American Psychological Association (APA) more than 9/10ths of adults in our generation have reported symptoms of stress such as feeling depressed or sad, or lacking energy and motivation. In another survey done by MindShare Partners 75% of Gen Z adults reported that they have left their jobs for mental health reasons.
However, the situation is not as bleak as it seems. The same APA survey also states that 37% of members of Gen Z seek help for mental health issues, which is actually the highest percentage of any generation! Scientists say that there may also be a correlation between these factors and our generation’s greater acceptance of mental health issues and conversations around them.
One important thing for people suffering mental health issues is to strive towards goals in order to improve motivation and the self, and one big goal we all need to strive for is to help increase the conversation around mental health. We’re the generation that has shattered the stigma; let’s keep going!
1
2
3
4
How Can You Get Involved?
Mission Statement: “NAMI provides advocacy, education, support and public awareness so that all individuals and families affected by mental illness can build better lives.”
Mission Statement: “Project Semicolon is an organization dedicated to the prevention of suicide. Our work is based on the foundation and belief that suicide is preventable and everyone has a role to play in preventing suicide. Through raising public awareness, educating communities, and equipping every person with the right tools, we know we can save lives.”
Mission Statement: “Our work is driven by our commitment to promote mental health as a critical part of overall wellness, including prevention services for all; early identification and intervention for those at risk; integrated care, services, and supports for those who need it; with recovery as the goal.”
Sources:
​
1,3 APA Stress in America(TM) Survey: Generation Z Stressed About Issues in the News but Least Likely to Vote. (2018, October 30). PR Newswire. Retrieved from https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A560376749/AONE?u=mlin_s_wheaton&sid=AONE&xid=21db1099
​
2 Wasserman, T. (2019, October 15). Half of millennials and 75% of Gen Zers have left their job for mental health reasons. Retrieved from https://www.cnbc.com/2019/10/11/mental-health-issues-cause-record-numbers-of-gen-x-z-to-leave-jobs.html
4 Riskind, J. H., & Calvete, E. (2020). Anxiety and the dynamic self as defined by the prospection and mental simulation of looming future threats. Journal of Personality, 88(1), 31+. Retrieved from https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A610489728/AONE?u=mlin_s_wheaton&sid=AONE&xid=5c48e930
​
It's okay to not be okay, if you ever feel like you or someone else is in a crisis, contact one of the following numbers:
Suicide Hotline: 1-800-273-8255
Depression Hotline: 1-888-640-5174
Eating Disorder Hotline: 1-844-228-2962
LGBTQ+ Support Hotline: 1-800-246-7743
Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-4673
Self Harm Hotline: 1-877-455-0628
Grief Support Hotline: 1-650-321-5272