Why is this generation so ‘depressed’? Gen Z man's theory goes viral on the internet

With great hustle, comes greater burnout!
And then follows exhaustion, burnout, fatigue, and mental illness.
According to current research, "this generation," often referred to as Generation Z, is considered to be more prone to depression than previous generations, with studies showing significantly higher rates of reported depression and anxiety among young adults in this age group; essentially, yes, this generation is seen as more depressed than previous ones.

A 24-year-old marketing agency owner who lives in Tampa, Florida, recently sparked discussion after he shared this theory about why Gen Z is depressed. Christian Bonnier shared on TikTok that he believes Gen Z is struggling because of the absence of a "third place"—a communal social environment outside of work and home.
The video on the social networking platform has garnered over 600,000 views already.
Bonnier said in the video, "Our generation is so depressed because we don't have a third place." He mentioned that the previous generations had three key places in their lives: work, home, and social gatherings. Whether it was a local pub, a golf course, or a weekly darts league, these spaces provided a sense of community and belonging that he believes has now disappeared.
A "third place" refers to a social space, separate from home ("first place") and work ("second place"), where people can gather for informal interactions and build community, like a local coffee shop, park, or community center; sociologist Ray Oldenburg popularized the term in his book "The Great Good Place" (1991).
Oldenburg emphasized the importance of informal public spaces—such as cafes, pubs, and community centers—in fostering relationships and well-being. "Life without community has produced, for many, a lifestyle consisting mainly of a home-to-work-and-back-again shuttle." He added, "Social well-being and psychological health depend upon community."
In his viral video, Bonnier argued that modern life often leaves people with only two, or even just one, primary environments: work and home. With the rise of remote work, many people rarely leave their homes, further isolating themselves. He said, "The sense of community, the sense of belongingness, the social gatherings that people used to rely on daily are completely gone from our generation. If I'm by myself for too long, anxiety, depression—all kick in. I need to see people, go out with friends, and be social."

The video captured the attention of TikTok users who shared their reactions in the comments.
While Teya Felicity said, "You can still go to the pub/golf/darts... It's not the spaces that have changed, it's the people... We don't socialize or hang out anymore," Danielle Rich disagreed and said, "There is no place for young adults (clubs don't count 'cause that's awful) to spend time and make new friends without drinking (which a lot of people now don't do) so it's very lonely."
Other netizens said that the problem was rising living costs, meaning that people cannot afford to spend time in a "third place."
While one wrote, "We simply can't even afford it," Ken added, "Problem is people can't even afford that third place anymore, so they are forced to choose only work and home when work doesn't pay enough and you scrape by to afford just your home." "We simply can't even afford it," said one commenter. Another wrote, "Problem is people can't even afford that third place anymore, so they are forced to choose only work and home when work doesn't pay enough and you scrape by to afford just your home."
How to resolve the problem of a ‘third place’ then?
As per Bonnier’s suggestion, when it comes to counteracting the lack of a ‘third place’, "People can counteract this by seeking out groups in their area—gym, run club, book club, etc."
He also called for the revival of traditional communal spaces: "Bring back the local pub. Bring back the darts leagues. Bring back the golf leagues. Go outside of your work, outside of your house, and do something regularly that makes you feel part of something."

In a fast-paced world where work and home often consume our lives, the absence of a "third place" may be taking a toll on mental well-being. Whether through sports, clubs, or social gatherings, making time for community and connection can help combat loneliness and restore a sense of belonging.