Unhireable or Undersupported? The Truth About Gen Z’s Mental Health

Mumbai, July 15, 2025 – A growing narrative paints Gen Z as entitled, difficult, and unfit for
the workplace. But fresh data from mental health startup Mind Alcove tells a different and
more human story.

In an anonymized study of 400 college students actively using therapy, the most common
emotions shared were stressed, worried, sad, and confused. Their most frequent concerns?
Relationships, family issues, burnout, low self-worth, and a deep dissatisfaction with life.
“What’s perceived as entitlement is often just emotional overload and burden,”
says Shubhangi Rastogi, Founder of Mind Alcove. “These young adults aren’t
rejecting responsibility, they’re searching for reassurance, structure, and
someone who understands.”

Among the most revealing insights:
50% reported feeling tired or low-energy nearly every day. 200 students said they feel like a
failure or bad about themselves multiple times a week. One in three reported suicidal
thoughts in the last two weeks. Over 40% shared that their mental health made it very or
extremely difficult to study, work, or maintain relationships.
These students aren’t resisting responsibilities, they’re overwhelmed by it.

“The generation we call entitled is actually asking: How do I cope? I need help.”
Gen Z demonstrates a growing emotional awareness and a willingness to acknowledge and
work through the same complex feelings that older generations have often struggled to
confront, instead of choosing to face them head-on. As more Gen Z students turn to therapy,
one message is loud and clear: they don’t want to quit, they want help to keep going.

Mind Alcove’s research urges institutions, workplaces, and educators to shift their lens from
judgment to understanding. The need of the hour isn’t discipline or dismissal. It’s empathy,
support, and better mental health systems.