_Cela is a sophomore journalism major at MU. She is an opinion columnist who writes about daily life for The Maneater._
Posing questions such as “how are you?” and “are you okay?” to members of Generation Z merits blank stares, skeptic brows, shrugs and looks of distress. Gen Z stands unique as the most open generation to talk about mental health illnesses but they add their own flair with a sprinkle of depressing humor to ease the seriousness of the matter.
“Gen Z culture is adding ‘just kidding’ after stating a fact, to convince ourselves that we’re doing okay,” wrote Twitter user @clumsynee in a tweet.
Although it’s great that Gen Z is erasing the stigma surrounding mental health and therapy, there is a difference between addressing these issues and casually mentioning them only to brush them off. It’s not okay to mention being depressed and throw up a peace sign as a way of dealing with it.
This young generation is the most likely to report poor mental health than any generation before but they are also subject to more stress than ever. Presented with a pandemic, crippling student debt, school shootings, systemic racism, climate change and countless other stressors, Gen Z faces the daunting task of solving these issues in addition to living through them. A 2018 American Psychological Association report found that “91% of Gen Zs between ages 18 and 21 say they have experienced at least one physical or psychological symptom due to stress in the past month compared to 74% of adults overall.”
Gen Z’s tendency to use dark humor as a coping mechanism to deal with serious subjects may be funny but not healthy. With a sense of humor that is definitively dark, desensitized, random, political and so much more, Gen Z confronts their demons but does not, or cannot, slay them. The usage of dark humor reflects a passive acceptance of a distressed state, claiming to be OK and repressing emotions for the sake of productivity.
Being the digital generation and growing up in a time where mental health resources are more readily available, Gen Z benefits from the vast range of information housed on the internet and the discourse that can be held there.
Social media and call-out culture contribute to destigmatizing mental illnesses and talking about therapy. Fostering this culture of openness and acceptance allows individuals to feel comfortable seeking help. They can find solace in the confidentiality of therapy and use it as an outlet to discuss anything and everything.
For those grappling with how to answer the question “are you okay?” it’s important to consider a few things. Sherry Amatenstein, licensed clinical social worker, practices a type of mental health therapy centered on helping the client use their natural skills to tackle their hardships. She says in a Psycom article that the first step is to assess the intent of the person asking the question. The answer depends on if the question is a mere formality or holds genuine concern.
Next, think about how answering the question truthfully will feel. Be sure to set boundaries so that every conversation doesn’t feel like navigating an emotional minefield. Utilizing these strategies will help when deciding whether or not to confide in someone.
When making that decision, it’s also important to take their feelings and emotional bandwidth into account. Be sure to ask them if they have the emotional capacity to provide support at the moment. Consider the timing, context and tone of the conversation.
Normalizing these conversations and creating a culture of vulnerability decreases stigma. It’s also important to be ready to listen, use prominent figures who are open about their mental health struggles for inspiration and refrain from saying things like “I’m so OCD” and “They’re so bipolar.” Those are actual mental illnesses that should be taken seriously and not used in a flippant comment.
There are numerous resources available for those struggling with mental illnesses and for those supporting people with mental illnesses. The MU Counseling Center offers therapy, group therapy sessions, wellness resources and crisis and consultation services available 24/7 by phone at 573-882-6601, and in-person during normal business hours.
For other resources, find the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline online or at 1-800-273-8255, which is available every day, 24 hours a day. The Trevor Project, a national organization providing crisis and suicide intervention to LBGTQ+ youth, is available 24/7 at 1-866-488-7386 to call, as well as text and chat.
Mental illnesses are as serious as a physical ailment like a broken arm and should be treated with the same level of attentiveness. They require diligence, care, support from others, therapy for rehabilitation, check-ups and patience. The occasional peace sign is acceptable.
_In pursuit of racial and social equity, The Maneater encourages its readers to donate to AAKOMA, an organization that works to erase the stigma surrounding mental health care by working with teenagers and their families to raise awareness, conduct patient-centered research and accommodate the unique experiences of people of color. Donate at: https://charity.gofundme.com/o/en/campaign/giving%20tuesday-for-essential-workers-kids-teen_
_Edited by Sofi Zeman | szeman@themaneater.com_
