Chapter 1: Understanding Mental Health Days

"I had to take a mental health day," Victor mentioned, catching me off guard.

"What do you mean by a mental health day?" I replied.

Victor, a few years my junior, had recently stepped into a managerial role. I noticed a couple of gray hairs emerging since he took on the position. During our lunch breaks, we would occasionally swap 12 oz cans of Red Bull, which led me to believe he was just as caffeine-dependent as I was. It turned out he was dealing with much more than that.

He wasn’t the only one facing challenges.

An article in the NY Post highlights a trend among Generation Z, noting their increased likelihood of taking time off work for mental health reasons. This article underscores the growing prevalence of mental health issues like anxiety and depression. The unnamed study referenced attributes this rise in common mental disorders (CMD) to factors such as the pandemic, the escalating cost of living, and the influence of social media.

After sifting through the dismissive comments about the younger generation's work ethic at the article's conclusion, I felt compelled to share my own insights regarding the impact of social media on youth.

Reflecting back on my high school years, I recall grappling with anxiety.

In 2006, social media was just beginning to take shape. Myspace was the trend, while Facebook was exclusive to college students; no .edu email meant no access. Those were simpler days.

I was aware of the vast opportunities available, and I yearned for a slice of that success. I consumed magazines like Sport Compact Car, dreaming of the car I'd one day own and customize. I engaged in video games that allowed me to create my own amusement parks, setting ticket prices and managing concessions. I watched peers drop out of school to chase poker dreams, winning substantial sums over the summer.

The potential for wealth was palpable; I just needed a strategy to seize it. And therein lay my anxiety—time felt like it was slipping away.

Life appeared to follow a straightforward route:

Finish high school, attend college, find a partner, start a family, buy a home, and take the same beach vacation every summer until the end of time.

Even now, the mere recollection of that pressure stirs anxiety within me. I was mistaken, however. We often believe we can predict the course of our lives, using it as a comforting narrative for our egos.

Had social media been as prevalent in my youth as it is now, I can only imagine the toll it would have taken on my mental health. Back then, I was still enjoying the novelty of connecting with friends on platforms like Instagram.

Today, the landscape has shifted dramatically.

Without caution, one could find themselves endlessly comparing their lives to the fabricated realities presented online. Many of these personas aren't genuine; they curate experiences in rented studios to portray a lavish lifestyle, sharing outdated vacation photos as if they are brand new. This constant barrage of deception significantly impacts the mental health of young individuals.

Social media has ignited a long-standing struggle.

I was reminded of a historical podcast by Dan Carlin titled "Death Throes of The Republic," where he describes an 'ancestor room' some families maintained, showcasing the accomplishments of their forebearers.

Dan theorizes that this practice instilled a relentless ambition in the youth, driving them to seek glory through warfare, ultimately aiming for power and wealth in Roman politics—a clear blueprint for success.

Young people today are equally ambitious, but the speed at which information spreads now is unprecedented. In the mid-2000s, I felt a similar pull toward ambition from the limited media available.

It’s hard to fathom the weight of that pressure in the current age of rapid communication.

In the video "Be the boss of burnout in 4 steps," experts discuss practical strategies for managing burnout and prioritizing mental health, offering valuable insights for those feeling overwhelmed.

Chapter 2: The Reality of Burnout

The second video, titled "Burnout is REAL! Asking For A Mental Health Break At Work," addresses the challenges individuals face when advocating for their mental health in professional environments, highlighting the importance of self-advocacy.