The Great Identity Problem
Identity is at the forefront of today’s culture war. There are many different identities that culture suggests, ranging from ethnicity to interests, sexual identities, gender identities, and so many more. Identity is a hotly contested part of American culture. But what is identity, how does it impact our lives, and maybe most importantly, what does God say about identity?
The Great Identity Problem is a topic that is close to my heart and is close to many of our hearts. Identity is seen throughout life. Identity issues have many symptoms. I want to propose that when identity is under attack, anxiety, depression, and suicide rates will all grow. Part of practical theology is examining these practical challenges that our world faces and looking at what can be done with them.
Gen-Z has high rates of anxiety, depression, and suicide. Medically diagnosed anxiety is present in roughly 61% of Gen-Z.[1] Beyond that, 43% of Gen-Z who battle anxiety self-reported having an anxiety attack every month.[2] Depression rates paint a similar situation. According to a study by the Walton Family Foundation, roughly 42% of Gen-Z battles depression.[3] The same study shows that suicide rates have risen, with up to 18% of Gen-Z saying that their challenges are so hard that they would be better off dead, and that up to 1 in 5 Gen-Z members know someone who has committed suicide.[4]
The statistics speak for themselves. Gen-Z, made up of people born between 1996/1997-2012 is facing a full-blown mental health pandemic. The challenge facing society is what to do about it.
There are a few answers that have been given. One is to encourage Gen-Z to follow their hearts and to determine their identities. According to a Gallup poll, roughly 22.3% of Gen-Z adults identify as LGBTQ+.[5] The sexual revolution is in full force and is a topic for another series on the Practical Theology Corner. But there is something that we can learn- even as students are encouraged to be true to themselves, their anxiety and depression are not improving.
The typical response to this is that bullying has caused higher depression, anxiety, and suicidal tendencies. Yet that answer does not answer the problem.
The actual answer lies deeper and yet is simpler. Gen-Z, like so many Americans, does not know who they are. Gen-Z is confused about one of the most basic realities in the world; their identity.
This issue should provide a window of hope because there is a solution to this! The solution is simple; Gen-Z needs to hear the truth of who they are. True identity has a simple beginning; the Bible. So, to help Gen-Z and to help Americans of all ages in their battle with identity, we must begin by defining who they are according to the Bible. To be clear, not all depression and anxiety is caused by confusion over identity, but a substantial issue facing Gen-Z is identity!
Over the next several weeks, that is what we will endeavor to do. We will seek to trace God-given identity throughout scripture to understand what our identity should rest in and how we can help others around us who are struggling with identity; because there are people around us struggling with The Great Identity Problem.
- Pastor Daniel
[1] https://thehill.com/changing-america/well-being/mental-health/4234365-over-60-percent-of-gen-z-have-an-anxiety-disorder/
[2] https://thehill.com/changing-america/well-being/mental-health/4234365-over-60-percent-of-gen-z-have-an-anxiety-disorder/
[3] https://www.waltonfamilyfoundation.org/stories/foundation/generation-z-is-waging-a-battle-against-depression-addiction-and-hopelessness
[4] https://www.waltonfamilyfoundation.org/stories/foundation/generation-z-is-waging-a-battle-against-depression-addiction-and-hopelessness
[5] (https://news.gallup.com/poll/611864/lgbtq-identification.aspx).