A new survey from the dating app Hily suggests mental health is more than just a personal matter – it’s becoming a key factor in romantic compatibility. Released during Mental Health Awareness Month (May), the survey polled 2,500 Millennial and Gen Z Americans to better understand how attitudes toward therapy shape dating preferences.
One of the most striking findings: a majority of young women say they won’t date men who dismiss the value of therapy. Specifically, 55% of women in the study reported they would refuse to date someone who doesn’t believe in therapy. For many, past experience with therapy isn’t just acceptable – it’s preferred. Nearly half of Gen Z women and over half of Millennial women said they find a potential partner more attractive if they’ve attended therapy. And 23% of young women surveyed said they wouldn’t even consider someone who had never been.
According to Hily’s summary of the data, “Mental Health Awareness Month shines a spotlight on the growing role of therapy in relationships. Whether it’s making someone more attractive, fostering openness, or changing how we connect, therapy is becoming a key part of modern dating.” In a LinkedIn post about the data, the company overtly stated that prioitising mental well-being is a green flag in modern dating.
As the conversation around emotional wellbeing continues to evolve, it’s clear that openness to mental health support is no longer a bonus in the dating world – it’s increasingly seen as essential, and refusing to entertain options of improving your own mental health is a major red flag.
