A new analysis of national mental health data, conducted by Cognitive FX, shows that Generation Z adults in the US have experienced a dramatic decline in their self‑reported emotional well‑being over the past six years.
The analysis draws on data from the Gallup Healthcare survey.
The percentage of Gen Z respondents who describe their mental health as “excellent” has dropped from 37% in the 2014–2019 period to just 23% in 2020–2025, a 14‑point plunge that reflects mounting psychological strain among the youngest adult generation.
Key findings from the study include:
- The percentage of Gen Z adults who report “excellent” mental health has dropped from 37% to 23% in just six years.
- Gen Z and Millennials experienced larger mental health declines than older adults.
- 36% of Gen Z sought professional help for mental health in the past year.
- US adults now average about 3,2 mental health visits a year.
- 8% of US adults had more than 10 mental health visits in the past year.
- 64% of teens use AI chatbots for mental health support.
Data shows that, since before the COVID‑19 pandemic, self‑assessments of excellent mental health have steadily declined, with Generation Z experiencing one of the steepest drops. In the 2014–2019 period, about 37% rated their mental health as excellent, but that figure fell to around 23% in the 2020–2025 period. This confirms a significant deterioration in perceived mental well-being among Gen Z adults compared with older generations.
According to Dr Alina Fong, a neuropsychologist at CognitiveFX USA, loss of routine, isolation, and long-term uncertainty continued to affect young adults’ mental health even after things reopened, ultimately contributing to the sharp deterioration reflected in the survey.
A comparison across generations finds that both Generation Z and Millennials experienced larger decreases in excellent mental health ratings over the past six years than older groups. While older adults also reported declines, their drops were smaller, highlighting that younger adults are disproportionately affected by the worsening trend in mental health.
Dr Fong explains that Gen Z and Millennials are under constant pressure from social media, loneliness, and financial stress, which she hears about often from patients. She adds that older generations generally didn’t face these pressures so early and all at once.
The survey indicates that younger adults, especially Gen Z, are more likely to seek care. About 36% of Generation Z adults reported visiting a mental health professional in the past year, a higher rate than found among older age groups, suggesting that help‑seeking behaviour is strongest where mental distress is greatest.
A substantial rise in the average number of mental health visits was noted among US adults over time. In 2025, adults reported an average of 3.2 mental health visits per year, compared with much lower annual averages in the early 2000s. This reflects growing engagement with professional care overall, likely driven by rising mental health challenges across generations.
A notable share of adults, about 8%, said they had visited a mental health professional more than ten times in the past year. This figure points to intensive and ongoing care usage, which further underscores the increasing demand for mental health services in the US population.
As mental health challenges continue to rise among younger age groups, many teens are increasingly turning to technology for support. A recent Pew Research Centre survey found that 64% of teenagers are using AI chatbots for mental health support, highlighting a growing shift toward digital and on-demand coping tools.
The findings suggest that young people may be seeking immediate, judgment-free assistance during periods of emotional stress, especially as traditional mental health resources remain difficult to access for many. This growing reliance on AI tools reflects both the scale of mental health need among teens and the gaps in existing support systems.