"What stands out is the growing willingness among younger generations to talk about mental health concerns and seek support when they need it."
- Christine Husbands - RedArc
New data from RedArc has found that Gen Z, covering those born between 1997 and 2012, are seeking mental health support at almost double the rate of Millennials, or those born between 1981 and 1996.
Analysis of thousands of referrals from working-age people over a five-year timeframe from 2021 to 2025 found that 43% of Gen Z referrals were for mental health concerns, compared with just 22% of Millennials. Gen X, born 1965-1980, had the next highest proportion of mental health referrals at 14%, followed by Baby Boomers, born 1946-1964, at 9%.
RedArc says that although discussing and seeking support for mental health may be seen as less taboo among Gen Z, this generation is dealing with several challenges, including the pressures of social media, the long shadow of Covid and student debt.
At the same time, Millennials face challenges such as balancing careers with family life, while for Gen X, it is often managing the demands of caring for both children and ageing parents that can bear down heavily on their mental wellbeing. For Baby Boomers, concerns can centre more around retirement, health and long-term financial security.
On top of this, additional challenges can appear at any stage of life.
As a result of this, RedArc says that the data suggests a need for organisations, including providers and employers, to engage proactively with every generation, including those who may be less likely to actively seek support or talk openly about their mental health concerns, even when the need for support is just as great.
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In addition, RedArc notes that effective mental health support to help people through particularly difficult periods is about more than equipping them with self-management tools and coping techniques; it is also vital that the support is provided by a qualified human, an approach that RedArc believes is beneficial to every generation and can be tailored to individuals’ needs.
Similarly, while mental health referral rates may always differ between the generations, RedArc says that organisations should recognise that different groups may need different approaches to encourage them to access support.
"What stands out is the growing willingness among younger generations to talk about mental health concerns and seek support when they need it," Christine Husbands, commercial consultant at RedArc, said. "That does not mean other generations are less affected or less in need of help, rather that Gen Z may feel more comfortable accessing support and discussing mental wellbeing."
"Personalised support from a qualified human mental health practitioner should be at the core of mental health care for all generations to ensure it delivers appropriate and personalised support, tailored to the individual," Christine continued.
