During the last two weeks of March and first week of April, Americans were shocked with alarming news of mass shootings and violent attacks in Atlanta; Boulder, Colo.; Washington, D.C.; and York County, S.C. Out of the 20 mass shootings and violent attacks during that time, one very distressing element stands out: A number of the attacks were carried out by GenZs — those ages 14 to 24 — and Millennials — those ages 25 to 38 — from diverse racial groups and regions of the United States.

For example, on April 7, in York County, S.C., 32-year-old Millennial and former NFL player Phillip Adams committed a mass shooting of a renowned local doctor, his wife, their two grandchildren and two workers. Early reports say Mr. Adams, who later committed suicide, suffered from football-related brain concussions.

On April 2 in Washington, 25-year-old Millennial Noah Green rammed his car into two Capitol Police officers at a barricade outside the U.S. Capitol, killing one of the officers and injuring the other. Reports from his family indicate Mr. Green was suffering from prescription drug use, paranoia and depression. He was killed at the scene of the violence.

On March 18, 21-year-old Gen Z Robert Aaron Long, killed eight people at three Atlanta area spas, including six Asian women. He claimed sex addiction as a reason for his behavior.

And on March 22 in Boulder, Colo., 21-year-old Ahmad Al Aliwi Alissa allegedly killed 10 people at a grocery store. His relatives and schoolmates say Mr. Alissa was bullied in school for being Muslim and retaliated with anger.

These four young men who perpetrated violence were from diverse racial groups and in different regions of the country. But what they had in common was they were either Millennials or Gen Zs who were obviously suffering from serious mental health issues. What was being done to help them? Where were their parents, mentors, faith leaders, aunts, uncles, social workers, colleagues, etc.? Did they have trained support or were they dealing with their crisis mostly alone?

Generation X and Baby Boomers in America have to stop being self-absorbed and start paying attention to depressed Gen Z and Millennial individuals. According to the 2019 U.S. Census reports, these groups now make up the largest age-based demographic groups in the United States.

Research by the Annie E. Casey Foundation finds that Gen Zs are suffering from high levels of depression and this must be taken seriously. Plus, they are impacted by the killings of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery and many more Black men and women.  

How can Generation X and Baby Boomers help Millennials and Gen Zs who are suffering from anxiety, COVID-19 lockdowns, student debt, job loss and other societal factors? 

Black Women for Positive Change, a national multicultural, intergenerational network of women and good brothers, has sponsored 10 annual Weeks of Nonviolence. During those years, we have heard a multitude of stories from participants about causes of violence, depression and anxiety. We have found that many GenZs and Millennials suffer from lack of parenting, mentorship and productive, engaging activities.

We also have found stigmatization of mental health and fear of families of color to seek help for disturbed youth. In addition, our outreach informs us that Millennials and Gen Zs complain about lack of opportunities and dreams for their futures.

Therefore, it is important for the Biden Administration to factor in the need for “opportunities” in violence prevention programs to assist youth with overcoming the obstacles of the COVID-19 pandemic, job loss, single-headed households under pressures and other issues. New approaches are needed to provide Gen Zs and Millennials with opportunities to move forward, overcome obstacles and have productive, positive lives.

Dr. Stephanie Myers of Washington is national co-chair, and Jan Perry of Los Angeles is social action committee chair of Black Women for Positive Change.