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by Jemyline Lico
As the conversation surrounding mental health continues to grow, particularly among Gen Z, it seems that one persistent barrier to understanding comes not from outside forces but from within our own homes—our older generations. Millennials, Boomers, and even some Gen X-ers often respond to the concerns of the younger generation with a dismissive "Sus, kami sauna" ("In our time..."). This phrase, meant to highlight their resilience in the face of hardship, has, instead, become a weapon used to invalidate the emotional struggles of Gen Z. But dismissing trauma by comparing it to the past only deepens the divide and undermines the importance of mental health.
To say that things were different in the past is not wrong. The world Boomers and Millennials grew up in is not the same world we live in now. They faced societal expectations, economic challenges, and rigid norms, often without the language or platforms to express their mental struggles. A 2021 study by Baxter et al., 2021, in the Journal of Adolescence found that older generations tend to downplay mental health issues, viewing them through a lens of “toughness” and “resilience,” while Gen Z places a higher priority on emotional well-being and is more open to seeking help when necessary. This generational gap in mental health awareness often leads to misunderstandings, creating a culture where older generations inadvertently invalidate the experiences of the youth.
The stigma around mental health has perpetuated the idea that seeking help is a sign of frailty. For Boomers, the challenges of discussing feelings were compounded by limited resources and the absence of the mental health infrastructure that we have today. So, when a Gen Z individual opens up about anxiety, depression, or trauma, it can be tempting for older generations to dismiss it with "Sauna," using their past struggles as a comparative benchmark for suffering. However, research published in Frontiers in Psychology emphasizes that trauma, regardless of the time period, leaves a lasting impact on mental health. The study highlights how unresolved trauma, particularly from experiences like wars or economic instability, can be passed down through generations, affecting their mental health in different ways (Yehuda et al., 2020).
Moreover, modern stressors uniquely affect younger generations. A 2019 study from the Journal of Child and Adolescent Mental Health highlights how social media and constant connectivity intensify feelings of anxiety, depression, and isolation. These modern stressors are unfamiliar to older generations, leading them to underestimate their effects. Consequently, dismissive remarks such as “In our time, we just endured” fail to recognize that the pressures of today’s digital age are significantly different from the past (Holloway et al., 2019).
This is not to say that the older generations didn’t face trauma. On the contrary, many endured hardships, wars, poverty, and societal constraints that left deep scars. But trauma, regardless of when it was experienced, deserves acknowledgment. Just as physical ailments aren’t compared based on era, mental health struggles shouldn’t be either. A 2017 study in The Counseling Psychologist examined how cultural norms in traditional societies often reinforce emotional suppression. This explains why older generations may dismiss mental health struggles, viewing vulnerability as weakness, rather than a sign of strength and self-awareness (Wong & Mak, 2017).
Acknowledging mental health isn’t just about validating Gen Z’s experiences—it’s about breaking the cycle of trauma that has gone unaddressed for far too long. The older generation’s response of “kami sauna” highlights how trauma is handed down, unspoken, through generations. What we need now is a shift, where empathy replaces dismissal, and open dialogue replaces silence.
The message is clear: mental health is not a generational issue—it’s a human one. The struggles of the past and present are not a competition; they are a shared journey of learning and understanding. By embracing mental health awareness, we can bridge the gap between generations and create a culture that heals, rather than one that continues to invalidate.
Mental health month reminds us that trauma, no matter when it occurred or how it manifests, is real and deserves to be addressed. So, the next time someone says, “Sus, kami sauna,” let’s not shut down the conversation. Instead, let’s ask, “What can we learn from each other?” and build a future where no one feels their pain is too small to be seen.
As the conversation surrounding mental health continues to grow, particularly among Gen Z, it seems that one persistent barrier to understanding comes not from outside forces but from within our own homes—our older generations. Millennials, Boomers, and even some Gen X-ers often respond to the concerns of the younger generation with a dismissive "Sus, kami sauna" ("In our time..."). This phrase, meant to highlight their resilience in the face of hardship, has, instead, become a weapon used to invalidate the emotional struggles of Gen Z. But dismissing trauma by comparing it to the past only deepens the divide and undermines the importance of mental health.
To say that things were different in the past is not wrong. The world Boomers and Millennials grew up in is not the same world we live in now. They faced societal expectations, economic challenges, and rigid norms, often without the language or platforms to express their mental struggles. A 2021 study by Baxter et al., 2021, in the Journal of Adolescence found that older generations tend to downplay mental health issues, viewing them through a lens of “toughness” and “resilience,” while Gen Z places a higher priority on emotional well-being and is more open to seeking help when necessary. This generational gap in mental health awareness often leads to misunderstandings, creating a culture where older generations inadvertently invalidate the experiences of the youth.
The stigma around mental health has perpetuated the idea that seeking help is a sign of frailty. For Boomers, the challenges of discussing feelings were compounded by limited resources and the absence of the mental health infrastructure that we have today. So, when a Gen Z individual opens up about anxiety, depression, or trauma, it can be tempting for older generations to dismiss it with "Sauna," using their past struggles as a comparative benchmark for suffering. However, research published in Frontiers in Psychology emphasizes that trauma, regardless of the time period, leaves a lasting impact on mental health. The study highlights how unresolved trauma, particularly from experiences like wars or economic instability, can be passed down through generations, affecting their mental health in different ways (Yehuda et al., 2020).
Moreover, modern stressors uniquely affect younger generations. A 2019 study from the Journal of Child and Adolescent Mental Health highlights how social media and constant connectivity intensify feelings of anxiety, depression, and isolation. These modern stressors are unfamiliar to older generations, leading them to underestimate their effects. Consequently, dismissive remarks such as “In our time, we just endured” fail to recognize that the pressures of today’s digital age are significantly different from the past (Holloway et al., 2019).
This is not to say that the older generations didn’t face trauma. On the contrary, many endured hardships, wars, poverty, and societal constraints that left deep scars. But trauma, regardless of when it was experienced, deserves acknowledgment. Just as physical ailments aren’t compared based on era, mental health struggles shouldn’t be either. A 2017 study in The Counseling Psychologist examined how cultural norms in traditional societies often reinforce emotional suppression. This explains why older generations may dismiss mental health struggles, viewing vulnerability as weakness, rather than a sign of strength and self-awareness (Wong & Mak, 2017).
Acknowledging mental health isn’t just about validating Gen Z’s experiences—it’s about breaking the cycle of trauma that has gone unaddressed for far too long. The older generation’s response of “kami sauna” highlights how trauma is handed down, unspoken, through generations. What we need now is a shift, where empathy replaces dismissal, and open dialogue replaces silence.
The message is clear: mental health is not a generational issue—it’s a human one. The struggles of the past and present are not a competition; they are a shared journey of learning and understanding. By embracing mental health awareness, we can bridge the gap between generations and create a culture that heals, rather than one that continues to invalidate.
Mental health month reminds us that trauma, no matter when it occurred or how it manifests, is real and deserves to be addressed. So, the next time someone says, “Sus, kami sauna,” let’s not shut down the conversation. Instead, let’s ask, “What can we learn from each other?” and build a future where no one feels their pain is too small to be seen.
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