Perspective Chapter: From the Boom to Gen Z – Has Depression Changed across Generations?

Abstract

The chapter delineates the intricate tableau of depression, scrutinizing its generational disparities and spotlighting salient elements such as stigma, resilience, awareness, the impact of the pandemic, and the ambivalent role of technology. Historically, the pervasive stigma surrounding mental health has obfuscated transparent dialogues and deterred help-seeking behaviors. Presently, generational shifts reveal an augmentation in awareness, predominantly among younger demographics, fervently advocating for destigmatization and transparent discussions. Resilience, manifesting divergently across age brackets, demonstrates that older adults typically exhibit amplified resilience, attributed to cumulative life experiences and substantial support networks. In contrast, younger individuals navigate through unique stressors like academic duress and the high-velocity digital epoch. Enhanced awareness of depression, fostered by targeted campaigns across demographics, may underpin early identification and interventions, mitigating the severity and chronic implications of depression. The COVID-19 pandemic has universally magnified feelings of despair and isolation, with technology proffering a double-edged sword, particularly for tech-dependent younger generations, by facilitating communication while potentially intensifying depressive symptoms through its excessive use and resultant social comparison. Hence, acknowledging generational distinctions in depression is imperative for sculpting efficacious interventions, aiming to foster a societal framework that staunchly supports mental well-being and adequately equips individuals to navigate their mental health challenges.