HARRISONBURG, Va. (WHSV) – September is Suicide Prevention Month, and while awareness often focuses on warning signs and resources, a recent study by Johns Hopkins University shows 68% of Gen Z workers report being stressed on the job.
Two Harrisonburg counselors said this stress can have a serious impact on Gen Zers’ mental health. New workers who transition from college to professional work place settings may find themselves under performance pressure and constant comparison.
Brooklyn Sites, an LPC, CCTP and onsite clinician at Sentara RMH Medical Center, said this life change can lead to lead to overwhelming feelings and could potentially force someone into isolation.
“Even just comparing themselves to coworkers or seeing their friends or other people posting on social media and creating that constant comparison, and where work feels unfulfilling,” Sites said, “they might start to internalize that as a personal failure, which can lead to anxiety, depression or even suicidal thoughts.”
Alexandra Cromer, an LPC at Thriveworks, said isolation is a feeling that can get worse when someone may be experiencing anxiety or depression. Therefore, the best thing one can do when experiencing this feeling is to build a new community wherever you are.
“Having a barista that you see, that you know when you get your hot cup of coffee, or having these sort of predictable routines of going to a farmer’s market or the gym or just sitting in a coffee shop and reading,” Cromer said. “You can have sort of like passive social interactions, but you’re still making sure that you’re not isolated.”
With the word “isolation” being the most commonly used, both experts said that employers, family and friends should consider checking in more often on new workers who are transitioning into their new life to provide them with additional company and support.
Copyright 2025 WHSV. All rights reserved.
