Gen Z More Likely Than Boomers to Say People in Therapy Are 'Mentally Weak'
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
Despite often being seen as more progressive, Gen Z is surprisingly more anti-therapy than many of their elders.
A new report from BetterHelp reveals a generational divide exists when it comes to the stigma of therapy, and perhaps not in the way you'd expect.
Why It Matters
Demand for mental health therapy has been skyrocketing in recent years. The number of U.S. adults who received psychotherapy went up from 6.5 percent in 2018 to 8.5 percent in 2021, according to a study published in the American Journal of Psychiatry this year.
And while overall acceptance of therapy has been increasing in many social circles, Gen Z's view of the practice as "weak" may indicate the younger generation is becoming more skeptical when it comes to therapy.
What To Know
While national rates of therapy are increasing, Gen Z may be more critical of seeking help for mental health than previously believed.
The age cohort, which consists of those born between 1997 and 2012, had a higher percentage, 37 percent, who said seeking counseling was "mentally weak" than the 27 percent of millennials, Gen Xers and baby boomers combined.
This is despite the fact that globally and in the United States, Gen Zers are more than twice as likely as boomers to experience mild to moderate anxiety and almost four times as likely to experience severe anxiety, according to BetterHelp.
Even among the Gen Zers who do go to therapy, not all are satisfied.
Roughly 37 percent said their therapist doesn't understand them, and 33 percent said they fully don't trust their therapist.
For those who do not go to therapy, 40 percent said cost is the main reason, and 29 percent said they do not think it will help or don't have the time.
Students taking notes for a Fluence Psilocybin-Assisted Therapy certificate training program in Portland, Oregon, on May 9, 2023.
Students taking notes for a Fluence Psilocybin-Assisted Therapy certificate training program in Portland, Oregon, on May 9, 2023.
ROBYN BECK/AFP via Getty Images
What People Are Saying
HR consultant Bryan Driscoll, who specializes in generational dynamics, told Newsweek: "I don't want to pigeonhole or get too political, but I do think this stat tracks with broader themes. Gen Z is more progressive, broadly speaking, than their parents, sure, but not more than closer generations. A big chunk of Gen Z has been pulled into the conservative ideology running rampant online and in certain podcasts. It's no secret that conservatives have always treated mental health like a personal failure, not a legitimate issue.
"When you combine that with toxic masculinity, bootstrap nonsense, and anti-science rhetoric, it's no wonder a growing number of young people now see therapy as weak."
Jaime Bronstein, a licensed clinical social worker, licensed relationship therapist and author of MAN*ifesting, told Newsweek: "Gen Z has grown up with social media as their 'therapist,' so they feel they can get help from the digital world and 'therapize' themselves. They view therapy as a long, uncomfortable process, so they would rather learn from a YouTube video or one of their favorite influencers. In addition, some Gen Zers look at the cost of therapy and would rather spend their money elsewhere if they feel they can get help from less expensive sources."
Alexandra Cromer, a licensed professional counselor with Thriveworks, told Newsweek: "Gen Z is the first generation to have grown up with the internet and access to many different opinions from around the world. While this is not inherently bad, the more opinions you are exposed to, your brain tends to categorize and lump into one, so if you're exposing yourself over and over again to one point of view, or one point of view seems to be relevant in your social media feeds and for you pages, this can influence mindsets. So if a lot of Gen Zers are getting the message 'seeking therapy makes you mentally weak,' their [For You Page] might start feeding them more of that content."
What Happens Next
Driscoll said that Gen Z grew up "watching society collapse," and instead of help, they were inundated with grind culture, gig work and influencers telling them to toughen up.
"So now we've got a generation that desperately needs mental health care being told it's weak, unmanly, or fake. If this trend keeps up, we'll see more burnout, more isolation, and a workforce too ashamed to ask for help until it's too late. And businesses will pay the price in turnover, absenteeism, and disengagement," Driscoll said.
Bronstein said there are long-term consequences to not going to therapy.
"Suppose you don't process your emotions, and you're feeling depressed or anxious. In that case, you might retreat and become disconnected from society, which could lead to isolation, which is highly detrimental to one's mental health. Gen Z might feel like social media is helping. However, it usually acts as a band-aid, but doesn't uncover the deeper issues that need healing," Bronstein said.
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