Is Gen-Z depressed or just lazy?

Has the professional world misconstrued Gen-Z’s nuanced two-timing with laziness and depression? We attempt to find out 

Demographically speaking, I’m a Gen-Z, but I grapple to relate with the Gen-Z. The term is thrown around a lot, almost like a character stereotype. But, what is Gen-Z really like? Entitled, lazy, anxious, depressed, clueless, and delulu were some common adjectives that were revealed when I put up an Instagram poll, raising the question to my diverse group of 2,580 followers.

Through conversations with individuals my age, or Gen-Z, so to say, I’ve come across two kinds of people—those who have their shit together too well, and those who don’t. Gen-Z has been slandered for more reasons than one—being social media addicts, entitled, hypersensitive, privileged, lazy, and more. Gen-Z has been christened as the ‘saddest’ and ‘laziest’ generation to date, multiple times. While this rhetoric cannot be generalised, the ubiquitous perception is reflective of a problem that is prevailing in Gen-Z more than any other generation before—a mental health epidemic.

A report by US-based medical publisher Pyschiatrist.com revealed that over 42 per cent of the Gen-Z subjects were diagnosed with some form of mental health condition—anxiety, depression, ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) and PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) in the respective order. In fact, around 20 per cent of Gen-Z has been to therapy at some point, and 60 per cent were on active medication to manage their mental health. India is on a similar road, with a Gen-Z population of over 356 million individuals. A 2022 survey by Deloitte India spotlighted the top five concerns amongst Gen-Z—mental health being a predictable ranker at the fourth position. Another report from early this year sheds light on startling numbers: 42 per cent of Gen-Z suffers from depression, 53 per cent from anxiety, and 57 per cent from stress. Clearly, Gen-Z is in a toxic relationship with mental health disorders. 

However, there’s something else that often tags along with Gen-Z—laziness (#LazyGirlJobs, we’re looking at you). It’s easy to brush off a lack of what is conventionally observed as “hard work” as laziness. But again, in some cases, laziness has just unfortunately surfaced as a natural spin-off of the lives Gen-Z lead. We speak to three psychologists to find out Gen-Z’s bigger nemesis between depression and laziness, and if they’ve confused one for the other.

Differentiating between emotional and mental health traits in Gen-Z

“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,” shares Ruchi Ruuh, a psychologist and relationship counsellor. If you read out loud these challenges to your parents, they would merely be able to relate to some of them. “Gen-Z and their understanding of mental health is radically different from other generations. While the boomers were ever so focused on toxic productivity, toxic positivity, and the belief that their mental health should be under their control, it’s the millennials who paved the way to shatter these belief systems first,” shares Dr Era Dutta, a psychiatrist and wellness coach.

Today’s average Gen-Z is more informed, evolved, accepting, woke, and, overall, recognises the distinct need for mental health to be taken care of as much as anything else, opines Dutta. Through her interactions, she has realised that “they are willing to explore the concepts of purpose, personality, people-pleasing, and planning a holistic life through tools like self-discovery, taking mental health breaks, visiting a therapist, and even taking medication if needed for a disorder.” According to psychologist and psychotherapist Shaurya Gahlawat, most personality traits and characteristics of Gen-Z are different due to technological advancements, societal changes, and cultural evolution. “My Gen-Z clients are very aware, cautious, open-minded, and empathetic. They are adept at navigating a rapidly changing world. However, they are also struggling with managing and regulating their emotions because of the exact same reasons. While they are constantly comparing and worrying, they are also making a relentless effort to take care of their health.”

Is Gen-Z more susceptible to depression? 

Despite having more access, ease and awareness of/to things previous generations didn’t, Gen-Z has become the easiest to fall prey to mental health conditions like depression and anxiety. Why? There are reasons aplenty, the foremost one being social media. The supremacy of the digital age spawns unique challenges including cyberbullying, online image pressures, and information overload, informs Gahlawat. 

“Because of technology, social media, and a drastic increase in availability of resources, Gen-Z is more vulnerable to mental health concerns,” she adds. Exemplifying what she means, she shares, “ A 20-year-old male client told me early this year how despite having good grades and having moved to the US for an Ivy League college education, he doesn't feel good enough because everyone around him is a genius. He went on to share that he feels the only way to make a good life for himself is to make a successful billion-dollar business. In therapy, we worked together to understand where the performance pressure and constant comparison stems from and how he can work towards building his authentic self-image.” 

Combine the pressure to make it big in a highly competitive world with the unrealistic portrayal of that “perfect” life on social media thrown at us by Reels, and you have the perfect recipe for feeling inadequate and inferior. When you perpetually house such negative emotions in your mind, it can impact your mental health and give rise to stress, anxiety, and depression. “Technology, constant exposure to media and social media is both a boon and a bane today,” believe both Gahlawat and Dutta. However, engagement isn’t the premise of real life, and digital likes can only add value to your reel life. 

Besides social media, some socio-cultural factors make this generation more susceptible to mental health struggles. Enumerating some of them, Dutta says, “Loneliness, recently cited by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a problem area; the need to belong is stronger than ever and yet the need to stand out is equally stronger. The AI wave is showing that a lot of things that an average person learns are redundant or will soon be replaced, leading to a crisis related to work, and living in nuclear families means a lesser support system than before.”

Gen-Z is the laziest generation—true or false?

While generalisation is definitely not the best way to approach this dialogue, the corporate world has touted Gen-Z as lazy from time to time; a Google search can pull out endless links to anecdotes and articles shared by HR professionals citing their professional struggles with Gen-Z. However, the definition of laziness is highly subjective. For instance, the hustle culture that prevails in India glamourises long working hours; so, if a Gen-Z consciously seeks work-life balance, it could come across as an unproductive or lazy attitude to employers.

“Gen-Z knows the importance of mental health, setting boundaries, and taking a stand, but that is also what brings them the tags of being lazy, selfish, and not hard-working,” says Gahlawat. But, is every Gen-Z individual woke enough to separate work-life balance from the need to work hard? Debatable. Has the augmented awareness of mental health issues among Gen-Z given them a free ticket to victimhood sans thorough understanding/diagnosis of a nuanced subject like this? Yes, in many cases. 

“Gen Z is the first generation to grow up entirely in the digital age. They are known for being resourceful. They aren’t lazy when it comes to wanting work-life balance, not slogging hours and calling unproductive hours work, and constantly seeking a purpose in life,” begins Dutta. “Yes, they can be perceived as lazy because so many boomers are still working and, by default, prioritised for many jobs, leading to the undermining of a capable Gen-Z for a similar role. Not only that, with AI, it’s all about smart work rather than donkey hours or hard work, and Gen-Z doesn’t shy away from using AI to its rescue. They also refuse to work on conventional models of work, making it easier to be seen as difficult to work with.” Between toxic, extreme productivity, hustle, and a flat movement lies a balanced, healthy ground that Gen-Z needs to focus on achieving, opines the mental health expert.

The terms “laziness” and “lack of ambition” can not only be subjective but also carry cultural biases, says Gahlawat. “Work ethic varies widely among individuals, influenced by factors such as upbringing, education, and personal values. Some members of Gen-Z might prioritise work-life balance, personal fulfilment, or social impact over traditional definitions of success. This shift doesn’t necessarily indicate laziness or lack of ambition but rather a reevaluation of what constitutes a meaningful and fulfilling life. Economic conditions, global challenges, and the changing nature of work also play roles in shaping attitudes toward ambition. Some might feel a sense of disillusionment or question traditional career paths.”

Gahlawat furthers, “Gen Z’s parenting has been very different than that of the previous generations, due to which they had/have a more choice-based lifestyle, which can, again, be easily confused with laziness. Instead of being told what to do and how to do it (like 30-60 years earlier), they are asked what they would like to do and use their judgement more than someone else dictating what is right for them. This has both pros and cons.”

Hustle is synonymous with hard work, but smart work is Gen-Z’s preferred modus operandi. “It represents a different set of values and priorities they believe, shaped no doubt by their front row seats to economic swings, rapid technological changes and the ripple effects of tremendous events such as the COVID-19 pandemic,” feels Ruuh. Traditionally, hard work was the only starting point of your professional journey—everything else had to be earned. Whether that practice must be continued to be put into operation is a dialogue you can choose to have at home as well as in your workplace. 

Laziness isn’t an active symptom of depression. But, when you’re feeling too lethargic, and have given up on the will to get up and take charge of your life, there is a possibility that you may confuse your state with depression. In fact, sometime in 2022, faking mental health illness was a thing (read: trend) on social media applications like TikTok. According to Ruuh, the visibility and validation that social media provides can contribute to the rise in these concerns. “Real experiences can come with a few manufactured ones too. And, when such topics are discussed in humour through memes, a lot of false information or exaggerated claims also float around the Internet that can lead to misdiagnosing or even faking something to get attention,” she says. 

“The gross overdiagnosis, self-diagnosis, and misrepresentation of diseases shown on social media recently is not okay. Faking mental disorders is itself becoming a trend of sorts. What may have spawned this? Fifteen seconds of fame and virality. Language overuse and jargon like ‘I am so depressed’ or ‘You are so bipolar’ in everyday conversations—online and offline—without an accurate understanding of the clinical context of these conditions can diminish the complexity of mental health disorders,” explains Dutta. Moreover, the TikTok phenomenon of faking mental health disorders is rampant these days. “Certain personalities are noted to be resorting more to it. For example, those with cluster B disorders like histrionic personality disorder, antisocial personality disorder, narcissistic personality disorder, and borderline personality who resonate with a greater need for attention and validation are often found faking these disorders. As a psychiatrist, it saddens me that some young people feel the need to be more and more scandalous to attract the limelight,” she adds. 

Dear Gen-Z, make room for ambition

While you don’t need to be perpetually driven and productive, having ambition is key. “Ambition and purpose are the driving forces to a fruitful life with basics like survival and security, then seek connections and recognition. As it grows, it aims for personal growth, creativity, and fulfilling its fullest potential at its peak. Not having found a purpose can be a major pain point,” states Dutta. “Ambition isn’t just about career success; it also helps us contribute to our communities and make a positive impact. It’s like a compass guiding us to fulfil our potential and leave a lasting mark, all while finding joy and fulfilment in the journey,” explainsRuuh. Gahlawat concludes, “Ambition is vital to life in all spheres—professional, social, personal, and creative.”

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