A new study from think tank Resolution Foundation (RF) finds that Gen Z calls into work sicker than their older Gen It is said that there is a high possibility.
RF found that a third of people aged 18 to 24 suffer from so-called ‘common mental disorders’ (CMDs). CMD includes diagnoses such as depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder. In 2000, only 24% of young people were diagnosed with CMD.
RF’s research found that this increase is primarily driven by mental health crises among young women. 40% of Gen Z women report suffering from CMD, compared to just 25% of men.
Researchers don’t know exactly what is causing the rate of mental illness to increase so rapidly. Some theories suggest that it may be related to young people having less access to health care and public services. Additionally, because there is less stigma around talking about mental health among younger generations, some believe that mental illness is not actually on the rise, but that diagnoses are simply on the rise. But the impact is real. According to RF research, the number of young people taking sick days due to mental illness has doubled in the past 10 years. In general, young people are more likely to miss work due to illness than people over the age of 20, and mental illness is driving that trend.
RF’s research also showed that Gen Z women are 1.6 times more likely than men to take time off due to mental health issues. This is a reversal of previous trends. In the 2010s, young men took more time off work due to illness than young women.
“Youth unemployment due to poor health is real and on the rise. Young people in their early 20s who are just beginning their adult lives are more likely to be unemployed due to poor health than those in their early 40s. “This is alarming,” the RF researchers said.
