I’m a doctor — this is the best thing millennials can do for their health

Millennials need to treat themselves — to therapy, one boomer-aged physician says.

“There’s a lot of things you’re going through now,” Dr. Terry Simpson, a board-certified general surgeon based in California, told his millennial TikTok followers last week.

“You’re making career choices. You’re thinking about maybe starting a family,” Simpson continued. “Maybe you have a family on the way, maybe you’re getting out of a relationship. All of those things are things that are great to have help with.”

Fifty-five percent of millennials and Gen Zers report that they have been to therapy, according to a December 2023 survey of 1,099 people. Anxiety, depression, stress, desire for personal growth and trauma were the top reasons respondents cited for seeking out a mental health professional.

Simpson, who is fond of doling out generational advice, says therapy is “one of the best things” millennials can do.

Born between 1981 and 1997, millennials have been called the “unluckiest generation” because they struggled through the Great Recession just as many of them entered the workforce, and they’re still contending with the student debt crisis, skyrocketing inflation and soaring housing costs.

“A lot of people could use some help,” Simpson reasoned. “You know what? Sometimes your best friend, wife, spouse, boyfriend, girlfriend, mother, father, sister, brother are not the best person to talk to about your dreams, your ambitions, your troubles.”

He cheekily added: “Find someone that works well with you, and understand the greatest thing about it is you get to talk about your favorite subject — you — and you have someone that’s going to always be on your side and help you.”

There are many types of mental health professionals, including social workers, family therapists and psychiatrists, who can diagnose and treat mental illnesses.

NewYork-Presbyterian has tips for finding a counselor, including how to make your first appointment.

How to schedule a therapy appointment

• Ask to speak with the therapist or counselor so you can describe your problem and see if they have experience with it.
• Find out how many people they have helped with this issue and get their general views on the topic.
• Figure out how long counseling might take.
• Ask other questions that might make you more comfortable attending a session.