More people from the generation that came of age after 9/11 are seeking help for mental health issues than any previous generation, and this trend bodes well for the future of the mental health business. Sixty-one percent of members of Generation Z have been diagnosed with an anxiety illness, according to new research from Harmony Healthcare IT. Therapy use is at an all-time high among adults in the 18–26 age bracket, also known as Gen Z.
The expansion of the mental health care market is a direct result of the rising popularity of seeking therapy. According to Gallup, there will be a 23% increase in the number of Americans seeking treatment for mental health issues in 2022 compared to the previous decade. Young adults reported a roughly 5% increase in mental health therapy from 2019 to 2021, partly attributable to the coronavirus epidemic.
Because they are less likely to feel shame about getting treatment, members of Generation Z may be on the cusp of a sea change in how we approach mental health care. In contrast to past generations, today’s youth are more comfortable talking about their experiences in therapy on social media. About half of Gen Z members cited financial concerns as more significant than future uncertainty.
The sector is anticipated to see a scarcity of skilled mental health providers as more Americans seek mental health therapy. There will be a severe shortage of mental health experts, with the Department of Health and Human Services estimating a shortage of over 10,000 by 2025.
Nearly two-thirds of the mental health workforce has reported an increase in client caseload, and 72% have noticed an increase in client severity since the beginning of the coronavirus epidemic. Nine out of ten practitioners in the field of mental health report having experienced burnout at some point.
