World Mental Health Day 2025: Psychologist suggests 5 creative ways for Gen Z to manage stress

World Mental Health Day 2025: October 10 is celebrated as World Mental Health Day. On this day, awareness related to mental well-being is encouraged, with the aim of promoting open conversations about emotional well-being. In recognition of this day, let’s take a closer look at Gen Z, one of the vulnerable groups who may be silently struggling with emotional stress.

Shruti Padhye, senior psychologist, Empower, Aditya Birla Education Trust, agreed that yes, Gen Z bears the weight of many pressures these days. He told HT Lifestyle that the world is more volatile with many issues such as academic pressure, social media information overload, economic changes and identity development. With so much going on, Gen Z barely gets a moment of ‘time out’.

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Amidst the constant hustle and bustle of life with its whirlwind of demands and pressures, how can Gen Z find a moment of respite? A much-needed time out from the constant pace of life? Shruti recommended turning to creativity as a way to deal with stress.

The psychologist explained, “As a mental health professional with over 7 years of experience, I feel that youth-led initiatives can foster deeper engagement and creativity with young people and their emotions. These activities can create safe corners for emotional expression, providing connections with self and others that are meaningful in themselves.”

Often, life can be isolating amidst all the hustle and bustle. Especially for Gen Z, who are right on the cusp of building their careers, stress can increase and leave them feeling cut off. This is where creativity and the spirit of unity can act as an outlet to release stress.

Shruti suggests these 5 creative ways Gen Z can relieve stress and feel emotionally energized:

1. Drama therapy

• Role-play and improvisation enable Gen Z to portray emotions; It may be difficult to express in words.
• “Putting the mask down” allows them to explore identity, resolve fears, and practice coping mechanisms in a safe space.

2. Slam poetry

• Raw, unfiltered poetry addresses the unexpressed truths right in front of us.
• Slam poetry, verbally or on paper, advocates emotional authenticity and removes the shame associated with mental health concerns such as anxiety, grief or self-worth.

3. Advertisement film production

• The filmmaking process—developing the script, shooting the video, and editing—fosters creativity, while allowing Gen Z to break out of their online personas.
• Making films as a group promotes co-creation, empathy, and emotional connection.

4. abstract art

• Exploring texture, color and form to represent how it feels to be caught in the turmoil of the mind can be deeply healing.
• Abstract art gives therapy a non-verbal, emotional display before understanding the meaning of those feelings.

5. Immediate expression

• Verbal expression on a personal topic allows authenticity yet forces clarity of emotional content.
• The experience of practicing vulnerability around peers builds confidence in Gen Z’s voices and perspectives

Note to readers: This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions you may have about a medical condition.