Why Is Gen Z Increasingly Vulnerable to Depression?
As reported by Kompas.id (18 June 2026), Indonesia is facing a mental health crisis among adolescents. According to the Indonesia National Adolescent Mental Health Survey (I-NAMHS) 2022, 34.8 per cent, or approximately 15.5 million adolescents in Indonesia, experience mental health issues, with 5.5 per cent meeting the criteria for mental disorders.
Similarly, the Indonesian Minister of Health, Budi Gunadi Sadikin, revealed alarming findings from the Free Health Check-up Programme (CKG) for the 202<0xC2>5–2026 period. Recent data shows that nearly 10 per cent, or about 700,000 children in Indonesia, exhibit symptoms of mental health disorders, specifically anxiety and depression, which require 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 about 363,000 children, showed symptoms of depression disorder.
The triggers are diverse, ranging from puberty and emotional changes to social pressures exacerbated by social media. Social media highlights the gap between the reality of adolescent life and their perceptions, as well as their high expectations for the future. This is further compounded by non-conducive environments, such as family parenting styles, peer bullying, internet addiction, economic problems, and lifestyles that increasingly lengthen the list of causes for mental health disorders.
This phenomenon is occurring almost worldwide. Career and future uncertainty have made many adolescents from Generation Z more sceptical. However, amidst these conditions, a wave of resistance is emerging, which is predicted to be a turning point for this generation to rise and thrive.
The multidimensional crisis currently affecting the world is seen as a primary trigger for the increase in anxiety among Generation Z. Future uncertainty, financial pressures due to the difficulty of obtaining stable employment, and the demands of social expectations on social media cause many young people to feel anxious or even depressed. 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 the secular-capitalistic civilisation that dominates the limitless digital space. Social media allows anyone to produce and spread various negative contents that are both distracting and addictive for the younger generation. Consequently, a generation with great potential to develop risks losing direction due to the influence of social media. From the author’s perspective, this condition requires the state to play a role in protecting the youth from content that is morally damaging, harmful, and weakens their quality. However, within the capitalist system, various policies are assessed more heavily based on material profit.
The younger generation is the future asset of civilisation. Therefore, their development must be built upon rules that align with human nature, namely Islam. Islam builds a generation through the synergy of family, society, and the state. Development begins with instilling faith (aqidah) from an early age to establish a strong relationship with Allah SWT, thereby forming a solid personality from adolescence. Furthermore, the generation is protected 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.