The Silent Stress of Gen Z

Hyper-connected yet overwhelmed, Gen Z students are struggling with stress, anxiety and depression. Institutional reform, cultural change and collective empathy are now essential

- DERICK H LINDQUIST

Generation Z encompasses those born between 1997 and 2012. The first ‘digital natives’, Gen Z, has grown up with ubiquitous access to the internet and digital technology. While far more connected than any prior generation, many, nonetheless, report feeling isolated and disillusioned. Around the world, this generation is experiencing mental health challenges at alarming rates.

In 2024, the World Health Organisation (WHO) reported that one in seven adolescents between the ages of 10 and 19 experienced a mental health disorder. In the U.S., a 2022 U.S. Census Bureau survey of 18-24-year-olds—done amidst the Covid-19 pandemic—found persistent feelings of nervousness or anxiety in 44 per cent, while 33 per cent reported feeling depressed or hopeless. In India, meanwhile, 63 per cent of young adults (aged 18-27) believe prioritising mental health is crucial to a happy life, according to the 2025 Burson Group report.

Such numbers illustrate how widespread mental health issues (and awareness) are among Gen Z. The generation that has grown up surrounded by smartphones and social media—navigating global instability, economic uncertainty, and climate anxiety—now finds itself at a mental crossroad.

Higher Education Under Strain

Indian higher education has seen remarkable growth over the last few decades. Today, there are more than 1,100 universities and 45,000 colleges, supporting more than 40 million students. The pressure to succeed academically in this hyper-competitive system—where outcomes, not well-being, are what count—is taking a toll. Many students report chronic stress, anxiety, depression, and emotional exhaustion.