Gen Z, Millennials, Gen X & Boomers Have Very Different Ideas Of What Counts As Mental Illness
Dragon Images / Shutterstock It wasn't long ago that mental illness was something no one talked about, or if they did, it was in hushed tones and only regarding extreme cases. Mental health wasn't treated as a discipline until 1946, right as the first baby boomers were being born, so it makes sense that our understanding of this topic is still taking shape.
While baby boomers were growing up at a time when mental illness was used to classify only debilitating and fairly obvious conditions, our understanding of how the brain works has greatly increased, so we now know there is a wide spectrum of what fits in that larger category.
Gen Z, millennials, Gen X, and baby boomers all have different ideas of what counts as mental illness.
Baby boomers tend to think a mental illness refers to a seriously debilitating condition, and it is often associated with shame and stigma.
Boomers usually grew up in households where mental health wasn't discussed openly. If someone felt anxious or sad, they were expected to keep going rather than pause and figure out why they felt that way. Because of this, they learned to view emotional struggles as a typical part of life.
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They still experience mental health challenges, but they may use their own language to talk about it. Instead of saying they're dealing with depression or anxiety, they say they're just stressed or going through a rough patch. This generation might also be more likely to believe that staying busy can help someone get through difficult times.
When younger people bring up things like therapy and setting boundaries to protect their mental health, some boomers aren't so understanding. For them, the idea of labeling certain feelings as mental health issues can feel unnecessary, especially when they were taught to lock those feelings away.
Gen X judges mental illness by its impact on everyday life.
Gen X tends to fall somewhere between the old-school attitudes of their parents and the more open approach of younger generations. Many were raised being told to figure things out themselves and avoid making a big deal out of personal problems. They had to be independent early on, which can make them more inclined to view emotional difficulties as something to work through alone.
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At the same time, they have lived through some major changes in how society understands mental health. They can acknowledge that conditions like depression and anxiety deserve attention, but still feel uncomfortable with how casually others mention their struggles in the modern day. They strongly believe there is a difference between going through a difficult period and thinking every emotion needs a diagnosis.
For millennials, mental health isn't limited to diagnosed conditions or severe emotional distress.
Millennials watched society slowly move away from treating emotional struggles and illnesses as something to hide, making it easier to recognize that mental health deserves the same attention as physical well-being. They're far more comfortable with talking about how these issues affect their daily lives.
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Rather than automatically accepting stress as part of adulthood, they're more inclined to question whether their habits, environments, or expectations are taking too much of a toll. When they're constantly feeling overwhelmed or struggling to maintain relationships, it can signal that something needs to change.
Gen Z places a strong emphasis on mental health awareness.
Gen Zers are used to their mental health being a normal part of everyday conversations. Their concerns might include more than what previous generations consider serious problems. Experiencing social anxiety or struggling with constant pressure can be reasons to take a closer look at their mental well-being.
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Being able to discuss mental health doesn't mean every young person has the same understanding of it. Some may recognize genuine warning signs early, while others might have more difficulty distinguishing between normal emotional ups and downs and symptoms that need professional help.
Still, Gen Z generally wants to understand their feelings rather than dismissing them, even when older generations don't see it the same way.
Kayla Asbach is a writer with a bachelor's degree from the University of Central Florida. She covers relationships, psychology, self-help, pop culture, and human interest topics.
