MRC Report: Navigating Social Trends and Finding Purpose

A neurological analysis of the challenges faced by younger generations

Author: Jada Khorram - Centre for Youth Policy

Published: March 2025

Over the past decade, an unprecedented mental health crisis has emerged, strikingly prevalent among Generation Z. Australian data reveals a 52% rise in psychological distress in females between the ages of 15 and 19 since 2012, with a startling 39% of youth aged 16-24 experiencing a mental disorder within just the last year. This represents a significant increase from 26.4% in 2007 and 27% in 1997, underscoring a drastic deterioration in mental health over a relatively short period.

While some may attribute this surge to an increased openness about mental health challenges or changes in diagnostic practices, the evidence suggests a more severe reality. Hospitalisation rates for intentional self-harm have surged alarmingly—62% for young women aged 15-19 and a staggering 221% for girls 14 and under. Moreover, the completed suicide rate for girls born between 1999–2003 is nearly double that of their Baby Boomer counterparts at the same age. These distressing statistics highlight a genuine intensification of mental health issues, rather than merely an increase in reporting or diagnosis.

This crisis, which began to intensify in the early 2010s, appears to be uniquely affecting Generation Z, with mental health statistics remaining stable across other age cohorts. It also exhibits a distinct gender disparity; mood disorders have historically been more prevalent in young women, and the current increase has disproportionately impacted them. Currently, 46% of females aged 16-24 are diagnosed with a mental disorder, translating to 653,489 young individuals grappling with these challenges — a figure vastly exceeding historical norms by approximately 260,000.

This paper aims to explore the neurological factors driving this mental health crisis within Generation Z, investigating how various factors contribute to the pronounced increase in mental health issues among this cohort.