Provident Explains the Gen Z Stare

AGency recently connected our client, Provident Behavioral Health, with super producer Miya Norfleet of St. Louis Public Radio to discuss a trending phenomenon: the Gen Z Stare.

What is the Gen Z Stare? It's defined as "a blank, vacant expression or silent, motionless reaction given by members of Generation Z in response to a verbal interaction, often in situations like customer service or classrooms. It is seen as a sign of disengagement, annoyance, or an inability to respond due to a perceived disconnect in communication, possibly stemming from reduced in-person social interaction and a less performative culture."

Clinician Ashley Wilkinson dug into the mental health challenges that this younger generation experiences and why their interpersonal interactions may feel inexplicable to others. A few of Ashley's insights:

• “We have to think about what this generation has been through. They’ve grown up with constant exposure to news, crises, and social media. Their way of expressing emotion may look different, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t feeling deeply.”

• “The ‘stare’ might be part exhaustion, part self-protection, or simply a new way of engaging. What’s important is that we meet them with curiosity and compassion—not judgment.”

Click here to listen to Ashley’s full interview on St. Louis Public Radio.

If you or someone you know is struggling, emotional support is just a call or text away. Provident's main phone number is 314-371-6500 and the national lifeline (for which Provident is a backup call center) can be reached by dialing or texting to 988.

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