Why Is Gen Z Increasingly Vulnerable to Depression?

Indonesia is facing a mental health crisis among its adolescents, according to the 2022 Indonesia National Adolescent Mental Health Survey (I-NAMHS), which recorded that 34.8 per cent, or approximately 15.5 million teenagers, experience mental health problems, with 5.5 per cent meeting the criteria for a mental disorder. Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin also revealed alarming findings from the 2025–2026 Free Health Check-up Programme (CKG). The latest data shows that nearly 10 per cent, or around 700,000 children in Indonesia, are experiencing symptoms of mental health disorders, specifically anxiety and depression, requiring serious attention. The CKG programme targeted approximately 7 million children. The results indicated that 4.4 per cent, or about 338,000 children, experienced symptoms of anxiety disorder, while 4.8 per cent, or around 363,000 children, showed symptoms of depression disorder. The triggering factors are diverse, ranging from puberty and emotional changes to social pressures exacerbated by social media. Social media highlights the gap between the reality of teenage life and their perceptions, even their high expectations for the future. This is compounded by a less conducive environment, including family parenting styles, peer bullying, internet addiction, economic problems, and lifestyle factors, which further extend the list of causes of mental health disorders. This phenomenon is occurring almost worldwide. Career and future uncertainty is making many Generation Z teenagers more sceptical. However, amidst these conditions, a wave of resistance is also emerging, which is predicted to become a turning point for this generation to rise and thrive. The multidimensional crisis currently hitting the world is seen as the main trigger for increasing anxiety in Generation Z. Future uncertainty, financial pressure due to the difficulty of obtaining stable employment, and the demands of social expectations on social media are causing many young people to feel anxious and even experience depression. Mental health disorders are influenced not only by individual factors but also by the family environment, social circles, and the education system. Generation Z was born and raised in the digital era, making them accustomed to using technology and relatively quick to adapt to change. However, this potential can be weakened by the influence of a secular-capitalist civilisation that dominates the boundless digital space. Social media allows anyone to produce and disseminate various negative content that is both distracting and addictive for the younger generation. As a result, a generation with great potential for development is at risk of losing direction due to the influence of social media. In the author’s view, this condition requires the state’s role to protect the younger generation from content that damages morals, is dangerous, and weakens their quality. However, under a capitalist system, various policies are considered to be measured more by material profit. The young generation is the future asset of civilisation. Therefore, their development must be built upon rules that are in accordance with human nature, namely Islam. Islam builds a generation through the synergy of family, society, and the state. Development begins with instilling faith from an early age so that a strong relationship with Allah SWT is established, thereby forming a solid personality from adolescence. Subsequently, the generation is safeguarded by a community environment based on piety and supported by the role of the state. Thus, a generation will emerge that is not only free from depression but also capable of achieving various accomplishments.