The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) claims “Millenials Are the Therapy Generation“. They are more likely to go for treatment and more public about having a therapist. Attitudes have come a long way about emotional and mental health.
As a teenager, I was not successful in trying to get my family into counseling. It was another thirty years before I went to counseling myself, following a divorce. It was one of the best things I have done for my emotional life. My peers, at the time, would look at me with a certain amount of fear at the thought of doing therapy. I’m glad to hear that the stigma has been lowered for the millennials.
As a sign of the times, therapy is now available via phone apps, text chat, phone call, or video, in addition to the office visit or groups. It probably makes sense. My communications with coaching clients have similarly migrated to technology-supported communication.
Want to Learn
Millennials are much more committed to learning and growing than earlier generations. Learning about themselves and how to better cope makes sense. Celebrities are also more open about therapy and issues like depression. There has also been a positive impact from social media where therapy is often discussed in positive terms.
There has been a five-fold increase of therapy in colleges today compared to ten years ago. Over five years, Blue Cross has reported about 50% increase in that age group for those seeking help for depression.
The WSJ also identified a multidimensional perfectionism tendency, as well. As a result, they tend to want to learn more, even when they are pretty good already.
Context
It would not be hard to imagine that the increased tension in society is impacting college students as well. They will be dealing with the results of climate change and national debt well after the older generation is gone. Many people who are new to the workforce did not have the training and acclimation that comes from having part-time jobs during high school and college. The demonstration of a commitment to personal improvement is very encouraging for the future of our society.
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