Young employees are increasingly opting to take “mental health days” off work, citing rising levels of common mental disorders such as anxiety and depression.

A report indicates that individuals in their early 20s are significantly more prone to calling out of work for mental health reasons compared to older generations, sparking worries among job experts.

The report, which sheds light on the surge of CMD cases among Gen Zers, attributes the rise to various everyday stressors including relationship issues, work pressure, and the omnipresent influence of social media.

Surprisingly, a notable number of young adults are even choosing to remain unemployed, prioritising mental well-being over workforce participation.

Escalating trend

Analysts from the Resolution Foundation, a UK-based economic and social policy think tank, expressed concern over the escalating trend of youth worklessness due to mental health issues.

They highlighted that individuals in their early 20s are now more likely to be out of work due to ill health compared to those in their early 40s, marking a worrying shift in employment patterns.

According to a three-year investigation cited in the report, over 34% of Gen Z individuals experience symptoms of CMD, a significant increase from 2000 when only 24% reported feeling burnt out by the strains of daily life.

Factors such as the COVID-19 pandemic and the pervasive influence of social media are believed to have exacerbated the mental health challenges faced by youngsters.

Mental health

The report notes a doubling in the number of young people aged 18 to 24 who are out of work due to ill health over the past decade, with mental health problems being cited as the primary health issue for two in five young adults between 2020 and 2023.

The data suggests a gender disparity, with young women being over 1.6 times more likely to experience CMD compared to young men.

This gap has widened since the early 2010s, indicating a growing burden of mental health challenges among young females.