Live Well

Live Well: A Reflection on Gen Z, Mental Health, and the Healing Power of Nature

I’ve been reading articles and studies on the mental health crisis among Gen Z—those currently in high school, college, and early adulthood. The conclusion is clear: we are facing a pervasive and unprecedented crisis. Based on the research, Gen Z is showing the highest rates of depression, anxiety, suicidality, addiction, and emotional struggle of any generation we’ve seen.

That’s a lot to take in—as a mental health provider, a mother, and someone who holds deep hope for the next generation. It’s a reality we can’t afford to ignore, though I fear it’s being drowned out by the constant noise of the modern world.

On a hopeful note, there’s growing awareness around mental health. More people are recognizing that mental illness deserves the same attention and care as any physical condition. We’re finally acknowledging that the brain is an organ—arguably the most important one—and needs intentional care. From chemistry and cellular health to the impact of trauma and grief, we’re learning how deeply mental wellness is tied to how we live, heal, and connect.

Encouragingly, Gen Z is also the most likely generation to seek help. They are advocating for mental health support more than any generation before them. That matters. But it also raises a difficult question:

If they are struggling and seeking help—why are things still getting worse?

My belief? It’s the noise.

Technology, AI, social media—these advances offer incredible potential. But they also create a constant stream of interruption and exposure. The developing brain is bombarded by distressing news, curated realities, and impossible comparisons. This flood of information creates a kind of secondary trauma, even if we’re not aware of it.

Add to that the perfectionism fed by artificial intelligence and image filters—where the “ideal” becomes both unattainable and relentless—and we begin to lose touch with reality. And perhaps most critically, we’ve lost connection to the natural world. We’ve forgotten how to slow down, to feel the sun on our skin, to disconnect from the noise and reconnect with the earth that grounds us.

That’s why I’m so passionate about WhistleStop Acres.

This isn’t just a place. It’s a pause. A place where the noise stops and the healing begins. Where you can observe nature—not as a bystander, but as a participant. Where you can remember that you are not your trauma, your anxiety, or your comparison. You are something whole and worthy and alive.

I implore you—whatever generation you belong to—to return to the basics. See beyond the fear, the filters, and the false narratives. There’s still wisdom in the rhythms of nature.

Watch a horse run and remember what freedom feels like. Watch a cow rest in the shade, unconcerned with productivity, and remember how to pause. Watch a goat leap and play without self-consciousness—and remember what joy really is.

Smell the air. Break a sweat. Get dirty. Be part of the earth again.

Live well.

Sincerely,

Robin

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