Gen Z’s path to adulthood has been anything but smooth. Pandemic-era school disruption, the rise of social media, and heightened political tension have all collided during their formative years—leaving many struggling with focus, stress, and mental health challenges.
That reality is showing up on a campus. A growing share of college students are seeking medical evaluations for ADHD, anxiety, and depression—and requesting academic accommodations such as extended time on exams and papers. At some of the country’s selective universities, the numbers are striking: More than 20% of undergraduates at Brown and Harvard are registered as disabled. At UMass Amherst it’s 34% and at Stanford 38%, according to data analyzed by The Atlantic.
