Examining Help-Seeking Intentions among Generation Z College Students

Generation Z has been impacted by various stressors, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, which have contributed to detrimental health outcomes, including elevated rates of suicide. The majority of current U.S. college students encompass members of Gen Z, who have reported more stress than other generations. College students among other generations have demonstrated low rates of help-seeking behaviors, though these older generations were less racially diverse. Hierarchical regression analyses were conducted to assess gender and racial differences in help-seeking intentions for personal and emotional problems and suicidal thoughts among a racially diverse sample of 160 college students. Participants with greater thwarted belongingness (a component of suicide desire) were less likely to seek help for personal or emotional problems, with no significant differences across race or gender. These findings suggest college counselors attend to increasing social connections; programming efforts specific to this generation; and ensuring knowledge of life-saving resources across social networks.