Talking About Mental Health BY SANONNA AL TAWEEL
I t’s no secret that we have a men- tal health crisis on our hands. The evidence of anxiety and depression— particularly among Gen Z—is everywhere: higher rates of self-reported loneliness, surges in emergency room visits related to self-harm and suicidal ideation, and the increased use of social media as an escape from everyday life. A 2023 Harvard survey found that two in five Gen Z young adults ages 18–25 “feel like they don’t matter to others.” That means that 44 percent of that age group is experiencing a deep sense of disconnection. And they’re not the only ones. Based on U.S. data from 2022–2023, the Centers for Disease Control and Preven- tion reports that 11 percent of children ages 3–17 had current, diagnosed anxiety, and 40 percent of high school students expe- rienced persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness. The survey also reported that 20 percent of high school students serious- ly considered attempting suicide, and 16 percent had made a plan. THE ROOTS OF THE CRISIS If you’re like me, you read those numbers and your heart sank. How do we have this many young people hurting so badly that they feel they have no other options? The truth is, it’s not just one thing. Today’s generation is facing a myriad of problems. Take social media, for example. While it is a great way to connect with others and have
fun, there are many dark sides to it, including: • The pressure to live a “perfect” life. Constant exposure to others’ (often edited) lives can make people feel like they’re falling short. • Cyberbullying. Online harassment often looks like someone “joking” nowadays. People comment thought- lessly and hurt others’ feelings just to get some likes. • Doomscrolling and access to too much information. I miss the days when my Instagram feed was just people I followed. Now, thanks to AI algorithms, it’s a constant stream of in- fluencers I’ve never heard of, political news, trends you “have” to hop on, and scare-tactic reporting. Another factor contributing to the stag- gering rates of mental health issues is the long-lasting effects that the pandemic had on our lives. Sure, we’re not stuck inside for months on end anymore, but the disrup- tions it caused are still being felt. Many young people experienced prolonged social isolation, missing out on crucial milestones like graduations, sports seasons, and time with friends. These losses have left lasting feelings of loneliness and disconnection. At the same time, remote learning created academic gaps and increased stress, with some students struggling to catch up or
stay motivated. The uncertainty and fear that marked those years also heightened anxiety about the future, worries that con- tinue to linger as kids and teens navigate a world that suddenly feels less predictable and safe. IT’S NOT AS SIMPLE AS JUST GETTING HELP Despite the growing need, many young people face serious barriers to access- ing mental health care. Wait times for therapists and counselors can stretch for months, and insurance coverage is often limited or confusing. For families in rural or underserved areas, finding specialized care for children and teens is even harder. According to Mental Health America, 65 percent of rural counties in the U.S. have no practicing psychiatrist, and nearly half lack any mental health professionals at all. This shortage means that young people in these areas face longer travel distances to seek care, fewer treatment options, and often, greater stigma within tight-knit communities. Suburban communities, while often bet- ter equipped with mental health providers than rural areas, face their own challenges. Suburban areas can experience a shortage of specialized mental health professionals trained to work with children and teens, and families may struggle with affordabili- ty, as insurance coverage gaps and high out- of-pocket costs make therapy inaccessible
26 SEPTEMBER 2025 | BRPARENTS.COM
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