health

March 15, 2026

Gen Z feels alone in their struggles—here's what they 'most need to hear' from adults, says Harvard psychologist

We tend to leave out the "messy middle" when we tell stories, says Alexis Redding, a developmental psychologist at Harvard. But "there's a better way to help."

Gen Z feels alone in their struggles—here's what they 'most need to hear' from adults, says Harvard psychologist

TL;DR

  • Gen Z is often stereotyped as anxious and fragile, but they do face real mental health challenges and job insecurity.
  • Adults tend to remember past experiences with a triumphant narrative, often forgetting the difficult 'messy middle'.
  • This selective memory can leave young people feeling isolated, believing they are the only ones struggling.
  • To support young people, adults should avoid 'kids these days' framing and empathize by remembering their own early struggles.
  • Active listening and asking about emotions are crucial, as is sharing current, relatable challenges instead of solely past successes.
  • When sharing past stories, it's important to include the difficult emotions and messy middle, not just the triumphant end, to foster genuine connection.

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