The Lonely Generation: How Documentaries Can Bring Awareness to Gen Z’s Mental Health Crisis

The generation of digital connectivity is facing high rates of mental health illnesses and a general feeling of hopelessness. Filmmakers today are tackling Gen Z’s mental health crisis by educating the public, utilizing real stories, and writing narratives that offer support rather than hate.

Gen Z struggles with mental health because of external factors, such as social media

Educating on Gen Z's Mental Health Challenges

Documentaries can educate senior generations on Gen Z’s experiences, encouraging insight on how different variables have contributed to the loneliest generation’s mental health decline. As is true of any generation, the world Gen Z was born into is unlike any other, changing too fast for anyone to prepare them for.

As of 2025, Gen Z is anywhere from 28 to 13 years old—the oldest of their generation was only ten when the first iPhone came out, the youngest, still four years from being born. That same year marks the launch of Instagram, and in the following, Snapchat. The infamous “iPad kid” reputation began with Gen Z, who was at one of the most influential stages of their mental development—including memory, processing, and internalizing—when they were given incredibly addictive doses of dopamine through visual medias. Additionally, Gen Z was learning during the Covid-19 shut down, being enrolled anywhere between college and third grade, effectively hindering their educational progress and leaving gaps in their knowledge base. Furthermore, Gen Z is known for being under the most external pressure, in academics, careers, and the economy, leaving them with an overwhelming sense of hopelessness.

However, it is rare that generations less affected by such external factors take the time to consider how various obstacles have harmed today’s young people. Filmmakers unafraid of the subject matter can expose the truths behind Gen Z’s bountiful and unprecedented hardships In educating viewers, documentaries can spark curiosity, awareness, and motivation for a deeper understanding.

Gen Z's tech savvy reputation is countered by the public's wrongful belief that they are unwilling to work

Visual Narratives Discourage Gen Z's Stigmas

One of film’s greatest strengths is in harnessing visual narrative; as it applies to Gen Z’s mental health struggles, documentaries can utilize real stories to challenge stigmas. While Gen Z is praised for being self-driven, ethical, and tech-savvy, they are more often ridiculed for being difficult to manage, unprofessional, and lazy. One common gripe is that Gen Z is unwilling to work, and therefore, they are perceived as entitled and immature. Furthermore, as the generation continues to battle their mental health, they have a reputation of poor behavior and improper development. These stigmas dehumanize their struggles, and create a narrative that villainizes young adults trying to navigate their entry into society.

What’s worse, is that with these attitudes and assumptions, Gen Z’s fears are reaffirmed. Gen Z struggles with their sense of self, autonomy, and mental health; as others continue to harbor displeasure with their perception of young people, Gen Z is thrust into a cycle of feeling unworthy, not good enough, and mounting pressure.

With visual narrative, documentaries can foster empathy for and within Gen Z. Allowing them to tell their stories will encourage connection, effectively breaking down their poor reputation. From this, Gen Z can find a sense of true connection and belonging and be given the space to heal from their afflictions.

By bringing awareness to their mental health struggles, Gen Z may start to experience a greater sense of connectivity

Supporting Gen Z Through Healthful Media

Gen Z is ultimately known for digital connectivity; as a media outlet, documentaries have the responsibility to contribute positive content to an otherwise brutal hemisphere. As Gen Z increasingly consumes and creates, they encounter threats to their body image, confidence, and peace. Filmmakers have to challenge harmful content by producing documentaries that draw attention to dangers and toxicity on screens.

Content that brings awareness to their mental health crisis and offers applicable, helpful support to counter anxiety, depression, ADHD, and other mental health illnesses, can aid Gen Z. Additionally, calling out platforms which encourage hate, negativity, and mental health decline will hold creators and marketers accountable for their role in harming Gen Z. Finally, documentaries ought to support narratives that heal—there is already so much antagonism in the world, let filmmakers today create stories that inspire more and push for better.

Let Gen Z tell their story through insightful, narrative-based documentaries

Documentaries Addressing Gen Z's Mental Health

By fearlessly addressing these issues, documentaries can encourage Gen Z’s healing as they continue to situate themselves in a rapidly evolving society. Through education, empathy, and support, film can help bring attention to Gen Z’s story.