If you are experiencing a mental health crisis or feel at risk of suicide:
Call 988 to speak with someone now
Go to your nearest emergency room
Get a list of mental heaelth and suicide prevention resources HERE
For any other emergenncy, please dial 911
Go to your nearest emergency room
Get a list of mental heaelth and suicide prevention resources HERE
For any other emergenncy, please dial 911
Generation Z tend to prioritize their mental health and wellbeing because they have a big-picture point of view on their life. They value their personal lives and work to keep a balance between personal wellbeing and their degrees and careers. This, however, doesn’t mean they’re not hard workers or don’t value work ethic. It’s a reprioritization of values based on the way they experience the world.
Further, students have matured in a time when there has been a general increased awareness and de-stigmatization of mental health issues, which leads to increased visibility and sensitivity to the importance of mental health. They are also the first generation that has grown up with the internet as a part of their daily lives, which informs so much of their worldview and access to information.
Social media exposes young people to current events in a way older generations did not experience, giving them a different perspective on the world. For example, they have access to first-person accounts of war, poverty, and racism that provide them an unfiltered look at the ‘real world’. This has been one factor leading to what has been called ‘collective generational trauma’.
With regard to mental health, students are typically looking for balance in school and life as well as a school culture that supports and proactively addresses mental health by promoting well-being, social connectedness, and accessible resources.
Educators can support student mental health in several ways. Fundamentally, it’s important to talk about mental health so students feel that they can also discuss any difficulties they are having. Making students aware of all the resources available on campus (perhaps consider putting them into your syllabus) will also give students an idea of what to do if they are feeling overwhelmed or stressed. These simple actions help students feel that their college cares about them as people.
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