Mental health has emerged as a pressing issue for young Pennsylvanians in "Generation Z," born after 1996. Research shows they are also more willing to talk about it than previous generations. Christine Michaels, CEO of NAMI Keystone Pennsylvania, said coming out of the pandemic has been the biggest challenge facing Gen Z, with depression, anxiety and suicide attempts on the rise. .
New provisional data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show that nearly 50,000 Americans died by suicide last year. The record numbers are leading to renewed calls for those in crisis to seek help, and for those around them to take action. Last year s all-time high for suicides in the U.S. .
A little more than a year ago, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline adopted the shorter number 988. Since then, mental-health advocates in Connecticut and across the U.S. are seeing great results. .
Research on social trends shows emotional and mental health is at the core of Gen Z s identity. The Pew Research Center considers anyone born after 1996 as part of "Generation Z." Lindsay Carr is a Gen Z-er herself, and a Youth Peer Recovery support specialist intern with the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Northern Nevada, which advocates for mental health support and education. Carr said she finds many don t think seriously about their mental health until they re really struggling. .