These days, you can’t talk about mental health website design without talking about Gen Z. That’s because Gen Z is a rapidly growing segment of the patient population in the mental health field, with nearly a fifth of Gen Z reporting they sought treatment in the past year.
Having been described as digital natives, those in Gen Z expect more from websites — namely, a seamless, personalized, and interactive experience. Does your mental health website design already do that? It’s a question that stakeholders at every mental health clinic should ask themselves to effectively engage with Gen Z — not only to attract new patients to your clinic, but to foster patient retention.
Here are some follow-up questions that can help you decipher whether your mental health website design is Gen Z-ready, or if there are improvements to make. And considering the impact it will have on the growth of your mental health practice, they are certainly worth making.
Is Your Website Inclusive & Diverse?
Gen Z is a diverse generation in every sense of the word. 48% of Gen Zers are considered “racial or ethnic minorities,” and one in six identify as transgender or queer.
When Gen Zers come to a mental health website, they want to feel represented — in the visuals and the content. The images you choose should showcase diversity while the language you use should be mindful of gender identities and sexual orientations.
Can Patients Schedule Appointments Online?
Younger generations value convenience — and that includes how they schedule visits with your mental health clinic. In a survey of 1,000+ healthcare consumers, nearly 73% of millennials and Gen Zers said they would prefer to book appointments online versus over the phone.
Embedding online appointment scheduling into your mental health website gives Gen Z users and potential patients the flexibility they demand. Younger patients can schedule their appointments outside office hours, while relieving staff from having to answer phone calls throughout the day.
Can Patients Easily Access Health & Wellness Resources?
Gen Z has grown up in an era where information is readily available at their fingertips. So naturally, they expect mental health clinics to make health and wellness resources — ones that make them feel more knowledgeable and empowered — easily accessible.
Ideally, your website design will include a resource library where Gen Zers can come and find podcasts, videos, guides, and other downloadable content related to mental health. These resources could come in the form of a how-to guide for managing stress, a podcast with an industry expert to discuss grief coping strategies, or a worksheet that includes exercises to help with regulating emotions.
Do You Provide & Promote Telehealth Services?
The pandemic may have given rise to the use of telehealth services, but amid the revival of in-person care, telehealth has remained a popular way to access care — especially for Gen Z. According to one telehealth study, Gen Z is the most likely of all generations to use telehealth services, with 16% doing so.
While this is an incentive for mental health clinics to offer telehealth services, it’s important to think about how these services are incorporated into your mental health website design. Consider creating a dedicated telehealth service page with a video demo to show how easy it is to access and participate in telehealth sessions. It’s also beneficial to integrate telehealth services into your online appointment scheduling so website visitors have just as easy of a time booking virtual appointments with mental health professionals as they would in-person visits.
Is There a Way for Patients to Get Immediate Support?
Gen Z not only values but expects quick responses. A chatbot on your mental health website can provide individuals with fast answers in the interactive, personalized format they prefer.
Let’s say a Gen Zer has questions about insurance coverage for mental health treatments at your clinic. Without having to send an email or make a phone call during business hours, they can know whether your clinic accepts their insurance and whether that insurance covers the services specific to their needs. It’s another simplified step that makes for a smoother journey toward improved mental health and wellness.
ClinicTracker Creates the Ideal Digital Experience for Patients
ClinicTracker, an EHR designed for behavioral health providers, not only supports but elevates a good website experience for Gen Z with a comprehensive patient portal that caters to their needs. From the patient portal, individuals can quickly schedule appointments online, connect to telehealth appointments, access educational resources, pay bills, and more.
Learn more about our behavioral health EHR’s capabilities and its benefits in a free demo.
