Rabat – Every year, on October 10, the world marks World Mental Health Day, shining a spotlight on the importance of mental well-being. The day may have passed, but caring for our minds is a year-round commitment. It’s not about a single day — it’s about the lifetime ahead of us.
But have you ever stopped to ask: how does our mental health impact future generations?
Mental health is often discussed as a purely individual experience — and, of course, there is truth to that. Yet the topic is far deeper than one person’s struggles.
Mental health is like a chain; passed quietly from one generation to the next, shaping the way families think, behave, and respond to stress.
The conversation around mental health has grown exponentially with the rise of social media, giving voices a platform that didn’t exist before. How often have we heard parents, aunts, uncles, or even teachers say that Gen Z is “too sensitive,” that we turn ordinary challenges into serious issues like depression? They insist that in their youth, nobody complained and that they weren’t “spoiled.”
The reality, however, is different. The lack of awareness in previous generations wasn’t about toughness or resilience. It was about the absence of spaces where mental health could be discussed openly on platforms where struggles could be acknowledged, normalized, and supported.
Mental health is not a trend; it is a legacy. The more we understand, talk, and care, the healthier the next generation will be — not just individually, but collectively.
Many in previous generations are quietly struggling with mental health issues, yet it can be difficult for them to accept or seek solutions. Staying silent doesn’t make these struggles disappear; it only keeps feelings suppressed, which can intensify over time.
Today, Gen Z has more awareness and tools to address mental health. While we may not be able to change the mindset of the previous generation, we can shape a future where mental well-being is prioritized.
Yet, despite this knowledge, many of us still struggle with severe mental health challenges. Social media, unrealistic beauty standards, and the constant illusion of success create pressures that are entirely controllable — yet, they weigh heavily on our minds.
What often worsens the situation is how older generations — unknowingly affected by their own unhealed mental health struggles — may react in ways that unintentionally impact us negatively. This isn’t about placing blame; rather, it is about understanding patterns passed down through generations, so that we do not repeat the same mistakes with the future generation.
That change begins within ourselves. To raise a new generation that is mentally resilient, we must first confront our own traumas, care for ourselves, and commit to healing — so that we don’t unintentionally pass on our struggles.
Seek therapy, talk to friends, ask for help. And above all, don’t let negative emotions take control. Your well-being today is the foundation for a healthier tomorrow.
