Although social media offers a variety of benefits, including connectivity to one another and access to important resources, it is often the main contributor to the population’s growing mental health crisis.
A recent McKinsey & Company survey of over 42,000 respondents, finds that Gen Z have the most negative feelings toward social media and the highest numbers of poor mental health.1
Key stats from the survey
- 1 in 4 Gen Z respondents state their mental health has declined over the past three years.
- Female Gen Zers were 2X as likely to report poor mental health compared to their male counterparts.
- 16% of Gen Z respondents feel as if their mental health is poor or very poor, compared to only 7% of Baby Boomers.
- One-third of Gen Z respondents report spending more than two hours each day on social media.
The need for comprehensive behavioral health care in a digital world
Social media utilization specific to health and wellness has enabled individuals to access critical mental health resources to better understand their health and the health of their loved ones.
This can be seen across generations, as more than 1 in 4 respondents report using digital wellness apps – with Gen Z having the highest utilization.
However, many of these apps can only go as detailed as the general population (before having to pay for online, personalized therapy and support). Mental health impacts everyone differently, so having access within one’s local community has never been more important.
Importance of in-person treatment
Although digital wellness platforms are an easy solution in the short-term, it is only a stopgap to addressing the larger problem.
Behavioral health program integration within the post-acute space allows patients to:
- Receive a customized behavioral health care plan.
- Have hands-on support from a variety of highly trained behavioral health specialists.
- Experience the benefits of behavioral health treatment for both physical and mental conditions.
- Gain a better understanding of their behavioral health condition and provide support for others who are experiencing similar challenges.
Regardless of generation, having access to behavioral health treatment will continue to be vital as the world becomes more digitally focused (social media, AI, telehealth, etc.).
Ensuring your hospital has behavioral health access within its hospital is the first step to a healthier and happier future.
Contact us today to learn about the partnership opportunities Lifepoint can provide to help your hospital achieve its mission of delivering optimal patient outcomes.
References:
- Coe, E., Doy, A., Enomoto, K., & Healy, C. (2023, April). Gen Z mental health: The impact of tech and Social Media. McKinsey & Company. https://www.mckinsey.com/mhi/our-insights/gen-z-mental-health-the-impact-of-tech-and-social-media
