Why Gen Z's Struggle Isn't Just About Social Media

On the Spectrum with Sonia Krishna Chand

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Trigger Warning: Suicide and SA was discussed.

What if everything we think we know about the Gen Z mental health crisis is incomplete? In this eye-opening conversation, suicide survivor, author, and mental health advocate Aly Vredenberg challenges conventional wisdom by revealing four interconnected factors driving declining mental health among young people: economics, isolation, environment, and meaning.
Aly shares her deeply personal journey, beginning with a suicide attempt at age 14 following sexual assault and severe bullying. After surviving this darkest moment, she dedicated herself to understanding mental health, only to face profound grief when her best friend died by suicide in 2020. Rather than retreating into her pain, Aly channeled it into researching the complex roots of our mental health epidemic, culminating in her book "Out of Focus."
Unlike many discussions that point to social media as the primary culprit, Aly presents compelling evidence that the crisis began in 2007 - before Instagram, TikTok, or Snapchat existed. She reveals startling statistics about Gen Z's economic disadvantages, the physiological impact of decreased access to nature, and how modern city design has systematically eliminated opportunities for human connection. The conversation dives deep into how these structural factors create conditions where meaninglessness and isolation flourish.
Most powerfully, Aly introduces prevention-based solutions that address root causes rather than symptoms. From universal healthcare with mental health parity to trauma-informed schools and national service programs, she outlines practical approaches that could transform mental wellbeing at a societal level. We also learn about her forthcoming nonprofit "The Belonging Lab" where people who struggle with mental health can come together and feel supported.
More information about Aly can be found at:

www.belonginglabsd.org

www.outoffocusbookcom

Instagram: @alyvredenburg

Chapters

1. Introducing Allie and Her Book (00:00:00)

2. Allie's Personal Journey With Suicide (00:10:13)

3. Four Factors Behind Gen Z's Mental Health Crisis (00:17:51)

4. Loneliness and Social Media's Role (00:29:14)

5. Environment and Mental Health Connection (00:41:42)

6. Solutions and The Belonging Lab Launch (00:53:02)

7. Final Thoughts on Kindness and Connection (01:00:42)