Gen X is facing an unprecedented mental health conundrum – here's why
Don't miss out on the headlines from Lifestyle. Followed categories will be added to My News.
While of course every generation is faced with different sources of stress and hardship, the report reveals Aussies classed as Generation X – born between 1965 and 1980 – are facing an unprecedented challenge.
According to a new report conducted by Medibank and News Australia's The Growth Distillery, an overwhelming majority of Gen X Aussies are tasked with caring for both their aging parents and aging children.
Despite experiencing considerably more financial security, home ownership and career establishment than younger generations, the increasing financial, emotional and physical pressure to act as caretakers for the generations preceding and succeeding them is negatively impacting the mental health of Gen X Aussies.
Gen X: The Caretaker Generation
Thanks to advancements in technology, research and healthcare innovation, as well as decades of healthy habits, people are now living well into their 80s and 90s, with some even hitting triple digits.
But as more elderly Aussies reach a milestone age, we're presented with a unique set of challenges. With Australia's healthcare and aged care systems somewhat overwhelmed by the increasing number of elderly Australians, the onus to provide care and support often falls on members of Gen X.
On the flipside, the rising cost of living and unwavering housing crisis are forcing many younger Australians to depend more heavily on their parents (again, Gen X) for financial support.
As a result, a large proportion of Gen X Aussies have been forced to take on the role of caretaker for both their children and their parents, a sandwich of responsibility no other generation has yet to experience in the same way.
Gen X find it particularly difficult to open up to their children about their mental health. Image: iStock
Pressure to support those around them
Despite bordering on the age of retirement, many Gen X Aussies are working later in life due to the sustained cost of living and dependency of other generations. As a result, Gen X reports their main source of stress is financial responsibilities such as mortgages and retirement planning.
The State of Mind: Australia's Mental Health Conversation report also reveals that managing the health issues that come with aging, such as menopause, is another factor significantly impacting Gen X's mental health.
With the responsibility of supporting their children and parents – financially, physically and emotionally – often falling solely on them, Gen X reports feeling a reluctance to burden others with their problems, especially when it comes to speaking about their mental health.
There is a serious need for improved mental health literacy and communication across all relationships. Image: iStock
Overcoming a reluctance to open up
While a reluctance to burden others is a universal barrier, Gen X find it particularly difficult to open up to their children about their mental health and any struggles they may be experiencing, despite their children being adults themselves.
According to the report, 28 per cent of parents of 16 to 30-year-olds reveal they've never had a conversation about their own mental health with their adult children.
Hesitancy aside, the report reveals a strong desire among younger Australians to have more frequent and open discussions about mental health with their Gen X parents, but also that 8 in 10 Australians expect parents to initiate conversations with their children.
According to the statistics, there is a serious need for improved mental health literacy and communication across all relationships, especially between those stemming from different generations.
With Gen X feeling overly burdened by the financial and emotional needs of those around them, as well as a pressure to support and provide for them, it's imperative that we find methods of enhancing communication to strengthen family support systems across the board.
According to the report, despite 4 in 10 Aussies finding it difficult to relate to the challenges and struggles of different generations, 70 per cent of people believe that hearing their parents share their personal struggles would make them more comfortable discussing their own.
Originally published as Gen X is facing an unprecedented mental health conundrum – here's why
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Sky News AU
3 hours ago
- Sky News AU
Medical specialist consultations drop by ten per cent as costs rise
Medicare data shows the number of Australians visiting medical specialists has fallen ten per cent since 2019. This is partly due to the costs for initial appointments being upwards of $900. In response, the government has committed to putting thousands of specialist doctors' fees online so Australians can shop around.
Perth Now
3 hours ago
- Perth Now
Why Roger Cook is throwing support behind diabetes research
Premier Roger Cook and senior minister Paul Papalia rallied with families affected by type 1 diabetes on the steps of Parliament House last Thursday morning. Both Mr Cook and Mr Papalia have children who live with the condition, which affects more than 135,000 people nationwide. Type 1 diabetes prevents the body from producing insulin, which is needed to remove glucose from the bloodstream. If left untreated it can be fatal and cause long-term health complications such as kidney, heart, nerve and eye damage, and gum and tooth disease. Your local paper, whenever you want it. It is estimated that about 25,000 Australians are in the early stages of T1 diabetes but are yet to be diagnosed. The gathering at Parliament House was part of a broader awareness campaign led by advocacy group Breakthrough T1D ahead of its Blue Tie Gala this month, which hopes to raise more than $1 million for vital research. Both Mr Cook and Mr Papalia are scheduled to attend the gala. 'Type 1 diabetes doesn't discriminate — it touches families in every corner of our community,' Mr Cook said. 'Today, we stand not only as leaders but as parents united in the mission to raise awareness, drive research and ultimately find a cure.' Mr Papalia said the event would help fund 'life-changing' breakthroughs in T1D research. 'Living with type 1 diabetes is a relentless challenge, but it's one made easier through community, advocacy and support,' he said. 'Events like the Blue Tie Gala are critical in shining a light on the realities of T1D and helping fund the breakthroughs that can change lives.' Mt Lawley entrepreneur Ljupco Taneski, who donates 50 per cent of his company's profits to Breakthrough T1D, was also at Parliament House with his family and daughter Caterina, who lives with the condition. Caterina Taneska (9) with her father Ljupco Taneski. Riley Churchman Credit: Riley Churchman / The West Australian Breakthrough T1D CEO Sydney Yovic said the event, along with the support from the Government and 'generous donors', was incredibly important in the drive towards a cure for T1D. 'The families meeting Premier Cook and Minister Papalia know all too well the burden of living with T1D, and how important it is that we achieve our goal of creating a world without the condition,' she said. The Blue Tie Gala will be held at the Perth Convention and Exhibition centre on June 7. Tickets are available at
Perth Now
14 hours ago
- Perth Now
Aussie state hits 71 malaria cases
An outbreak of a potentially fatal disease continues in the Sunshine State as authorities race to investigate two more locally acquired cases, bringing the total number of infections this year to 71. Queensland Health confirmed a second locally acquired infection was recently identified in the Torres Strait Islands local government area. Ninety-seven per cent of the cases this year to date have come from overseas, predominantly Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands. There are now 71 cases of the potentially deadly disease recorded in the Sunshine State to date this year. WHO Credit: Supplied It is a major increase in numbers, with 69 infections recorded in the same period in 2024, 50 in 2023, 20 in 2022 and only four in 2021. The presence of floodwaters is believed to be a key reason for the spike. Malaria is preventable and curable, and is not able to be passed from person to person, but rather spread through the bites of some infected Anopheles mosquitoes. 'We don't have mosquitoes capable of passing malaria on all throughout the country, but certainly in the more tropical parts of our country, the Northern Territory and northern parts of Queensland,' Mater Health infectious diseases director Paul Griffin said. 'That's why in those areas we need to give people that advice to make sure we reduce the chance of local transmission. Mater Health infectious diseases director Paul Griffin said it was important to advise Australians on how to avoid being bitten. NCA NewsWire / Brenton Edwards Credit: News Corp Australia 'With more significant types of malaria, the severe consequences can be involvement of the brain, so cerebral malaria and even death,' he told ABC News. 'It is something that we do need to take seriously and make sure we take steps to limit how much it is able to be passed on in our country.' According to the World Health Organisation, the most common early symptoms of malaria are fever, headache and chills. They typically start within 10 to 15 days of getting bitten by an infected mosquito.
