‘Crashing Out': Why Experts Worry About The Disturbing Gen Z Trend
Work anxiety is on the rise, and emotions are running high in the office. In case you haven't heard, Gen Zers are 'crashing out," slang circling TikTok that means having a sudden outburst, emotional breakdown or freaking out. 'Crashing out' is similar to other stress-related slang 'hey-hanging,' that made the rounds in 2024, indicating work anxiety and emotional overwhelm. crashing out.
Early Indicators Of 'Crashing Out'
I was surprised last year when some news outlets took a humorous approach to the stories on 'hey-hanging," failing to grasp the seriousness of how this type of asynchronous communication can negatively affect employee mental health and add to an already stressful, chaotic and confusing workplace.
On the surface, slang terms like 'crashing out' seem innocent enough, but mental health experts view the 'crashing out' trend as a disturbing emotional response among a generation unable to manage stress or self-regulate their emotions. As the mental health crisis escalates in 2025, it's important for employers and employees to refrain from writing it off as just silly Internet slang.
New research on Gen Z mental health and workplace impact reports that almost half (46%) of Gen Z has been diagnosed with a mental health condition. In many cases, 'crashing out' is a serious cry for help, that someone is at the end of their rope, burnt out or in need of mental health attention. Sometimes referred to as the silent epidemic, burnout often goes unnoticed, but it is both a career and people killer.
The signs of 'crashing out' are essentially the same as burnout. The World Health Organization (WHO) officially classifies burnout as a medical diagnosis, resulting from chronic, unmanaged workplace stress, diagnosed by three symptoms:
I spoke by email with Frank Weishaupt, CEO Of Owl Labs. He states that the Owl Labs' State of Hybrid Work report shows 26% of workers report feeling burnt out, and 43% have experienced increased stress levels, compared to the previous year. He asserts that it's crucial for employees and employers to recognize personal stress signals before reaching a breaking point, and lists these signs to watch for:
1. Irritability with colleagues
2. Decreased motivation
3. Feeling overwhelmed by routine tasks
4. Exhaustion and self-isolation
'When you notice these early indicators, take proactive steps like requesting time off, adjusting your workload or speaking with your manager about redistributing responsibilities,' Weishaupt advises. 'On the management side, be on the look out for direct reports sharing feelings of being overwhelmed, tired or lacking support.'
Employer Solutions To The 'Crashing Out' Trend
Weishaupt suggests that employers work with stressed-out employees to find solutions to manage stress, lower workloads and encourage team members to find balance in the workday.
Employee Solutions To The 'Crashing Out' Trend
The key symptom of 'crashing out' is exhaustion in the form of a deep fatigue that isn't curable by rest or time off. You're already out of gas. Your best recourse is taking preemptive action before you hit the wall with these eight self-care practices:
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