Uncertainty, loneliness and isolation are common realities among Gen Z, and these are persistent emotions shaping how this generation navigates life.

Based on a 2024 Barna poll, 39 percent of Gen Z say they frequently feel uncertain about the future, with an equal number reporting anxiety about important decisions. This is more than double the rate of frequent uncertainty and anxiety among Boomers and Elders (16%).

Alongside this, nearly one in three Gen Z (29%) reports frequently feeling lonely—again, a significant contrast to older generations, where only 4 percent of Elders and 8 percent of Boomers experience persistent loneliness. Similarly, one in four Gen Z (26%) frequently feel isolated, compared to just 5 percent of Elders, 8 percent of Boomers and 15 percent of Gen X.

The data reveals a generation wrestling with questions about their purpose and place in the world, even while having unprecedented access to (and interest in) mental health resources. They possess a broader vocabulary for emotional struggles than previous generations did—yet this awareness doesn’t eliminate their uncertainty and anxiety.

Church leaders, however, can find encouragement: in our ongoing research of Gen Z, we see that young people with deep, engaged Christian faith consistently report less frequent issues with emotional well-being compared to their peers.

Looking ahead, the data invites churches to create comprehensive approaches to Gen Z support that integrate meaningful spiritual formation with mental health resources, creating environments where young people can flourish emotionally and spiritually.

Discover deeper insights for addressing Gen Z’s unique challenges in our recent State of the Church release, Gen Z & Mental Health, available exclusively on Barna Access Plus.