Mental health has become a pressing issue in the United States, particularly among millennials, a generation born between 1981 and 1996. Millennials were the largest generation group in the United States in 2023, making up approximately 22 percent of the population, and are sometimes referred to as the "anxiety generation,". Research indicates that
compared to the previous generations. Millennials were twice as likely to report poor mental health status compared to the boomer generation. Major depression was among the
. Studies have shown that behavioral health conditions are linked to an increase in chronic diseases.
Factors impacting mental health
The U.S. millennial generation has faced numerous obstacles during their early adulthood, including recessions, pandemics, natural catastrophes, mass shootings, soaring property prices, student loan debt, and
medical debt. All these factors have contributed to a decline in millennials' mental health. The distinctive obstacles that distinguish the millennials from the other generations led the mainstream U.S. media to label them the 'unluckiest generation'. One standout factor affecting millennial mental health in the U.S. and globally is
financial stress. In 2021, Pew Research Center found that 45 percent of millennials felt that their financial situation negatively impacted their mental health. An employee's
ability to work is significantly influenced by their mental health. Compared to other generations,
millennials have higher rates of burnout in the U.S. due to longer work hours and stagnant wages.
Access to mental healthcare
The COVID-19 pandemic led to a fundamental shift in attitudes toward stigma around mental health globally. Gen Zs and millennials are the generations that are more open to discussing their mental health issues. In 2023, approximately 59 million adults had taken treatment or counseling for their mental health in the U.S., and
adults aged between 18 and 44 years were more likely to seek treatment for their mental issues. Interestingly, the top reason Millennials and Gen Z are not getting therapy isn’t because they don’t think they need it, but because of cost. In 2023, some 14 percent of Millennials in the U.S.
avoided seeking professional mental health care due to financial concerns. This highlights the ongoing struggle young adults face in accessing necessary mental health services, even as awareness of mental health issues continues to grow. The inability to afford mental health care exacerbates mental health issues, creating a vicious cycle where those most in need of care are the least able to afford it.
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