2024 Mental Health Outlook: Growing Demand for Therapy

The top three reasons Gen Z and Millennials go to therapy are anxiety, depression, and stress.

Photo: Pexels.com / Timur Weber

The new year is a time for many to focus on improving themselves both physically and mentally. Discussing mental health used to be taboo, but as younger generations grow up, it’s becoming more of an open conversation, especially among Millennials and Gen Z. New survey data finds more than half of Millennials and Gen Z have gone to therapy or are currently going to therapy.

The Thriving Center of Psychology surveyed over 1,000 Gen Z and Millennials and learned 93% are hoping to improve their mental health in 2024. It comes as more than one in four (28%) saw their mental health decline in 2023 compared to 2022.

“Millennials and Gen Z are increasingly seeking therapy to cope with unique challenges like digital era anxieties, social pressures, and global uncertainties. Their openness to discussing mental health and valuing self-care represents a progressive shift towards acknowledging and managing the complexities of modern life.”

— Dr. Alexander Alvarado, Licensed Clinical Psychologist and CEO of Thriving Center

Survey Findings

Over half of Gen Z and Millennials are or have been in therapy; 39% are planning on therapy this year:

76% are seeking therapy for anxiety, 72% for depression; Millennials are more depressed while Gen Z is more anxious.
49% are struggling to find a therapist; most go through two therapists before finding a good fit.
90% think more Americans should go to therapy.

58% of those not in therapy say cost is their major barrier to mental healthcare; for those in therapy, one in three have sacrificed other things to afford therapy.