Why Gen Z men are taking more mental health leave than their older colleagues

• Key Insight: Learn why Gen Z men's leave rates now mirror women's, signaling stigma decline.
• What's at Stake: Rising leave and lower return rates could erode institutional knowledge and productivity.
• Forward Look: Prepare for policy and benefit redesigns to improve reintegration and retention.
  Source: Bullets generated by AI with editorial review

Facing rising levels of loneliness and financial stress, Gen Z men are prioritizing their mental health more than members of other generations, according to a new survey.

Research from The Standard shows that 20% of Gen Z men have taken leave for mental health reasons, compared with 14% of millennials, 11% of Gen X, and 6% of baby boomers. Gen Z men are now taking mental health leave at the same rate as Gen Z women, suggesting a shift in attitudes toward seeking support. 

"That hasn't happened up until this generation," said Nathan Whiteley, vice president of absence management and disability services at insurance, retirement and investment services provider The Standard.

"I think there is a shift in the environment we're in," he added. "There are behaviors that are changing within the workforce, so this is an opportunity to go back and reassess: Is there a need to change? What are our current opportunities or gaps?" 

The survey also found that Gen Z men are 35% less likely than women in the same generation to return to work after a mental health leave. That gap can affect long-term earnings and career progression, while also contributing to higher turnover and the loss of institutional knowledge for employers. 

Whiteley encouraged employers to reevaluate their workplace culture and how they support employees both before and after a leave of absence. Having clearer processes and better communication may make employees more likely to return to work following a leave, he added. 

Read more: Are employers still failing to take Gen Z's mental health seriously?

"If they understand what the steps look like when they come back to work or reenter the workforce, they may be more likely to do so because it's clear and more comfortable," Whiteley said. 

The findings of the new study, titled "Mental Health in the Workplace: Will Gen Z Men Shrink the Stigma?", are based on an online survey conducted by a third-party research firm on behalf of The Standard in March. The survey polled 5,000 adults aged 18 to 70, most of whom were eligible for employer-sponsored benefits.

A growing sense of isolation

The growing use of mental health leave among Gen Z men comes as researchers have documented rising levels of loneliness and social disconnection among younger adults. According to a 2025 Pew Research Center survey, adults under 50 are far more likely than those 50 and older to report feeling lonely often (22% versus 9%). 

Adults with some college education or less, lower incomes, and those who are not married are among the most likely to report feeling lonely often. They are also among the least likely to say they feel optimistic about their lives. 

The Pew study also found that Americans are much more likely to seek emotional support from family or friends than from a mental health professional. Just 19% of adults said they would be extremely or very likely to turn to a professional for help.

Read more: How Gen Z employees prioritize their benefits

Women were more likely than men to seek support from a mental health professional (22% versus 16%). Meanwhile, only 5% of adults said they would be extremely or very likely to seek emotional support through an online platform or community.

With men in particular, stigma can hold them back from using available mental health benefits, Whiteley said. If employers want better mental health outcomes, they need to confront that barrier head-on.

"By offering employee assistance programs, accommodations, or other employer-provided mental health benefits, organizations can empower men to take care of their mental health," Whiteley said. "Providing this type of support also tends to have a positive impact on productivity."