How bad is Gen Z's mental health? Interview with Wave CEO Dr. Sarah Adler

Dr. Sarah Adler, founder and CEO of Wave and clinical associate professor of psychiatry at Stanford University, shares her journey from childhood through an eclectic academic path at Columbia University, a brief stint in medical school, and an unexpected career turn at a hedge fund. 

Her story offers a unique perspective on how personal experiences --in Sarah's case a diagnosis of ADHD at age 40 --can ignite a passion for mental health and drive innovative approaches to care.

We  explore how Generation Z is revolutionizing the healthcare landscape with their digital-first approach. By segmenting Gen Z into older, middle, and younger cohorts, we uncover their distinct preferences and the challenges of engaging with them through traditional healthcare methods. Our discussion highlights the pressing need for healthcare systems to adapt to meet the demands of a tech-savvy generation, emphasizing the role technology can play in providing accessible and efficient care.

Finally, we tackle the critical issue of the growing demand for mental health services amid a shortage of licensed therapists. Dr. Adler shares innovative strategies, including the integration of data and technology and the use of health coaches trained in accredited programs to deliver evidence-based treatments. We stress the importance of building a robust data infrastructure for measuring outcomes and maintaining mental well-being, both at Wave and beyond. 

When Sarah touts the benefits of starting every company meeting with a mini-mindfulness exercise, I challenge her to try that out in a sales call! We'll see how it goes.

As of March 2025 HealthBiz is part of CareTalk. Healthcare. Unfiltered and can be found at the following links:

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Host David E. Williams is president of healthcare strategy consulting firm Health Business Group.

Episodes through March 2025 were produced by Dafna Williams.