Generation Why – DRAFT

Nowadays, “kill me”, “I want to die” or “I’m so depressed” are no longer alarming phrases as they are frequently used by young people online. Does this mean that the number of mental health cases has grown, or has the recent awareness given people the confidence needed to admit their own struggles with mental illness? The obsession with numbers (followers, likes, retweets, etc) has turned into a competition, and that sort of pressure can lead to unhealthy thoughts and habits, however, can we blame it all on social media? Or does the political and economic uncertainty, global warming and rapid technological change also affect our mental health? Can we blame younger generations for moaning?

This documentary is going to compare the differences between five different generations, analyse how toxic social media can be and understand why millennials “want to die” so much.

Carolina Santiago – Fashion Blogger and Social Media Influencer

Tiago Henriques – Psychologist

Strauss and Howe Generational table (adapted to Portugal’s geographical and cultural position)

“‘We’ve grown up with some frightening events’: UK teenagers’ hopes and fears”

“Think millennials have it tough? For ‘Generation K’, life is even harsher”

“Young people are rewiring capitalism with their McStrike”

“1 in 5 adults suffer mental health problems such as anxiety, depression and panic attacks due to housing pressures”