Numerous times, Gen-Z has been labelled as the "laziest" and "saddest" generation ever. Although it is impossible to generalise from this discourse, the general consensus points to a mental health epidemic that is more prevalent among Gen-Z than in any other generation.

According to a report by the US-based medical publisher Pyschiatrist.com, more than 42% of the Gen-Z participants had a diagnosis of a mental illness, including PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder), anxiety, depression, and ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder), in that order. As a matter of fact, about 20% of Gen-Z have sought therapy at some point, and 60% of them were actively taking medication to address mental health issues.

India, which has more than 356 million Gen-Z citizens, is travelling in a similar direction. In a Deloitte India survey from 2022, the top five issues among Gen-Z were highlighted, with mental health coming in at number four as expected. Startling statistics are revealed by another investigation from earlier this year: Gen-Z experiences depression at 42%, anxiety at 53%, and stress at 57% of their illnesses. It is obvious that Gen-Z and mental health issues have a poisonous relationship.

But Gen-Z is also frequently associated with laziness (#LazyGirlJobs, we're looking at you). It's simple to write off a lack of what is typically considered "hard work" as being lazy. However, once more, in certain instances, sloth has regrettably emerged as an inevitable byproduct of the lifestyles that Generation Z leads. We interview three psychologists to learn more about Gen-Z's greater enemy—laziness or depression—and to see if they have mistaken one for the other.

DIFFERENTIATING BETWEEN EMOTIONAL AND MENTAL HEALTH TRAITS IN GEN-Z

According to psychologist and relationship counsellor Ruchi Ruuh, "Gen-Z faces several challenges including the relentless influence of social media, academic stress, economic uncertainties, engagement with social issues, feelings of isolation despite digital connectivity, climate anxiety, pressure to succeed, and struggles with identity and acceptance." Your parents would only be able to relate to a portion of these issues if you read them aloud to them. "Gen-Z has a completely different perspective on mental health than previous generations do. The millennial generation pioneered the process of dismantling the toxic productivity, toxic positivity, and self-control belief systems that the baby boomers were fixated on. Dr. Era Dutta, a psychiatrist and wellness coach, concurs.

According to Dutta, the typical Gen-Z of today is more aware, progressive, accepting, and aware of the importance of treating mental health issues as seriously as physical ones. Through her encounters, she has come to the realisation that “they are open to exploring ideas related to people-pleasing, purpose, personality, and holistic life planning using tools like self-discovery, mental health breaks, therapist visits, and medication if necessary for a disorder.” Shaurya Gahlawat, a psychologist and psychotherapist, claims that cultural evolution, societal shifts, and technology improvements are to blame for the majority of the differences in the personality traits and features of Generation Z. "Gen-Z customers of mine are alert, circumspect, understanding, and kind. They can navigate a world that is changing quickly with ease. For the same reasons, though, they are also having trouble controlling and regulating their emotions. They relentlessly strive to take care of their health in addition to worrying and comparing all the time.

IS GEN-Z MORE SUSCEPTIBLE TO DEPRESSION?

Gen-Z has emerged as the generation most susceptible to mental health issues including anxiety and depression, even though they have greater access to, understanding of, and control over things that earlier generations did not. Why? There are several reasons, social media being the main one. According to Gahlawat, the dominance of the digital age has given rise to certain problems like cyberbullying, pressure to project a certain image online, and information overload. "Gen-Z is more vulnerable to mental health concerns because of technology, social media, and a drastic increase in available resources," she continues. She gives the following example of what she means: "Early this year, a 20-year-old male client told me that even though he moved to the US to attend an Ivy League college and has good grades, he doesn't feel good enough because everyone around him is a genius."

He continued by saying that he believed creating a billion-dollar company was the only path to a successful life for himself. We collaborated in therapy to identify the root causes of the performance pressure and ongoing comparison, as well as how he might work to develop a more genuine sense of who he is. Feeling inadequate and inferior is a common result of the inaccurate social media picture of the "perfect" life that Reels constantly feed us, along with the pressure to succeed in a very competitive society.

Such persistently negative emotions can have an adverse effect on your mental state and lead to tension, worry, and despair. According to Gahlawat and Dutta, "technology, constant exposure to media, and social media are both a boon and a bane today." Digital likes can only enhance your virtual existence; involvement isn't the foundation of real life. In addition to social media, this generation is particularly vulnerable to mental health issues due to certain sociocultural influences. "Loneliness, recently cited by the World Health Organisation (WHO) as a problem area; the need to stand out and belong is equally strong," adds Dutta, listing a few of them. The AI wave is demonstrating that many of the things that the typical person learns are obsolete or will soon be replaced, causing a work-related problem. Additionally, living in nuclear families results in a smaller support network than in the past.

GEN-Z IS THE LAZIEST GENERATION - TRUE OR FALSE?

Although making generalisations about this conversation is not a good idea, the business community has occasionally claimed that Gen-Z is lazy; a quick Google search will yield countless links to articles and anecdotes from HR experts discussing their difficulties working with Gen-Z. The concept of laziness is quite arbitrary, though. For example, the hustle culture that is prevalent in India glamourizes excessive working hours; therefore, if a member of Generation Z actively seeks work-life balance, it may appear to employers that they are indolent or unproductive.

"Gen-Z is aware of the value of mental health, establishing boundaries, and making a statement, but these traits have also earned them the reputation of being entitled, indolent, and unmotivated," claims Gahlawat. But is every member of Generation Z intelligent enough to distinguish between the need for hard labour and work-life balance? disputed. Has Gen-Z's increased awareness of mental health concerns given them a pass to victimhood without a full comprehension or diagnosis of such a complex topic? Yes, quite often.

The first generation to have lived exclusively in the digital era is Gen Z. They have a reputation for being ingenious. Dutta says, "They aren't lazy when it comes to wanting a work-life balance, not putting in long hours and calling them a job, and continuously looking for a purpose in life. Indeed, they may be seen as being lazy because so many baby boomers are still employed and thus took on several roles, which undermines a competent Gen-Z candidate for the same position.

Furthermore, Gen-Z doesn't hesitate to use AI to its advantage because it believes that smart effort, not long hours or hard labour, is what matters most when it comes to AI. They also refuse to work using traditional work paradigms, which contributes to their perceived difficulty as collaborators. According to the mental health specialist, "Between toxic, extreme productivity, hustle, and a flat movement lies a balanced, healthy ground that Gen-Z needs to focus on achieving."

According to Gahlawat, the labels "laziness" and "lack of ambition" might be arbitrary and biased based on cultural norms. Individuals differ greatly in their work ethic due to a variety of factors, including personal values, education, and upbringing. Certain members of Generation Z may place a higher value on social impact, work-life balance, or personal fulfilment than they do on conventional measures of success. This change reflects a revaluation of what makes a meaningful and fulfilling life rather than necessarily being the result of laziness or a lack of ambition. A person's attitude towards ambition can also be influenced by the state of the economy, global issues, and the evolving nature of employment. Some people may get disillusioned or wonder about conventional job routes.

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