Generation Stressed: Navigating Gen Z’s mental health crisis in a digital age

“How To Build A Singaporean Woman” is a Her World original docuseries which highlights the social and cultural issues that women in Singapore face, and asks: what does it mean to be a Singaporean woman today? In the eighth episode, “Protect Her Mind”, we hear from Larissa Santhana Nair, an Account Executive and Freelance Writer and Leona Ziyan, a Creative Entrepreneur. Together, they reflect on mental health, modern friendships, and how young people, particularly Gen Z, are learning to show up for themselves and others, both online and in real life.

Burnt out and logged on: The mental load of growing up as Gen Z

Being 20 when the pandemic hit meant Larissa could still sneak in some clubbing before the world shut down — but she noticed something had shifted for some of her peers once the doors reopened. “Going to a club after the pandemic felt different [for them],” she shares. “[My friends felt] a little bit more awkward to dance, or a little bit more awkward to talk to strangers.” Social battery? Kinda out of shape.

With dating apps becoming the new norm, even flirting feels like uncharted territory. Add to the fact that 7 in 10 Gen Z Singaporeans reported symptoms of depression during the pandemic, and it’s no wonder this generation is emotionally drained.

Anxiety isn’t abstract for Leona either. She opened up about her struggle with anxiety, recalling a moment in the middle of last year when she genuinely thought she was having a heart attack. She also shared a lingering sense of homesickness that followed her throughout secondary school, a feeling she couldn’t quite explain.

Does oversharing ease the mind?

Social media has made mental health more visible than ever, but does that mean it’s better understood? “I think in a way social media normalised mental health issues because it is so openly talked about, especially with Gen Z,” Larissa voices, but she’s quick to point out the double-edged sword: oversharing.

While posting your emotional journey online can be cathartic, but it can also blur boundaries, sometimes excusing harmful behaviour.

Posting your emotional journey online can be cathartic, but it can also blur boundaries, sometimes excusing harmful behaviour.

It can thus be seen that Gen Z is not only learning to understand the language of trauma but also becoming more informed and self-aware when it comes to mental health. “We’ve seen what happens if we don’t deal with these things,” she stresses, adding that the disconnect between parents and their children often stems from this unresolved emotional baggage.

The pressure to “have it all”

There’s a growing desire to break the cycle and carve out a healthier way forward. But it’s not easy. 68% of Gen Z Singaporeans report feeling burnt out or stressed a few days a week. The top stressors? Finances and the rising cost of living (27%), followed by heavy workloads and professional burnout (20%).

With 6 in 10 Gen Zs believing the economy will only get worse, even dreaming about the future feels like a luxury. Despite this, many are choosing joy where they can. In fact, 6 in 10 said they’d rather spend on things that make them happy now than worry about the future.

 Digital ties that bind

In this web of micro-interactions, connection doesn’t live in one place — it’s scattered across platforms, and somehow, it works. These digital love languages don’t just entertain, they comfort.

Sometimes, being a friend just means being there, not with solutions, but with presence. Social media may amplify connection, but it can’t replace real intimacy. As such, Gen Z continues to find ways to separate the noise from the truth and carve out spaces for joy even when anxiety looms.

Why IRL still wins?

Navigating conflict, reading body language, and building relationships with people in real life — these things still matter. Deep down, we’re still wired for touch, tone, and togetherness.

Let Gen Z do their thang

In a world of filters and expectations, maybe the bravest thing this generation is doing is being real. And if that means therapy memes, quiet breakdowns, and redefining timelines? So be it.