by Zach Seymour ’20 and Kara Thompson ’20

By most older generations’ standards, Millennials and Gen Z have a tendency to overshare. Typically, something considered private or personal to a Boomer or even Gen Xers is something any teen would talk to their friends or even strangers about unprompted. Growing up in the age of social media most likely has allowed for this surge of openness to occur.

Social media is one of the outlets most used by these younger generations to talk about these issues that were once taboo. Those who have experience with something can help those who are beginning to struggle, and social media makes it easy to reach out for help whenever needed. 

Instagram, for example, has taken an initiative of awareness by creating the campaign #HereForYou. A minute-long video comes up in users’ feeds that follow the stories of three separate people suffering from various mental health issues, before providing information for anyone viewing to seek the help they or people they know might need. Instagram hopes this campaign will raise awareness about mental health, as well as increase the number of people who seek some sort of treatment. 

Celebrities have also lately begun to use their status and platform in order to help their fans cope with any issues they may face. Public figures opening up encourages those who look up to them to do so as well. Lady Gaga, who has spoken about her struggle with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, has not only set an example for those of this generation but has put in place a program, “Born this Way.” The program has been placed in many schools to encourage younger generations to be vocal with their personal struggles so as to find support in a common community.

Both of these factors have created an environment of sharing, where people aren’t afraid to speak up about their experiences. These younger generations are taking this message to heart, and even if they aren’t necessarily posting about anything they may be struggling with on social media, more and more are talking to their friends and family about things that used to be kept quiet. Older generations may view this “inappropriate” or “TMI,”  because they grew up in a culture where mental health struggles were not viewed as acceptable if they strayed from the “norm,” thus perpetuating the cycle of silence. This cycle has been broken by the younger generations, due to the avenues now open for them to find an open ear to listen.