In Genoa City, the drama on The Young and the Restless has reached new heights. The show seems to be delving

deeply into mental health issues, with nearly every character grappling with a major personal struggle. From Ashley’s

dramatic split personality plot to Cheron’s disturbing hallucinations due to stopping her bipolar medication, the

storylines are intense. Connor battles OCD, and his parents face a crisis of faith after their impulsive affair.

Claire is particularly in the spotlight, dealing with PTSD from her troubled past, which has left her regressing to a more childlike state. Meanwhile, Summer and Kyle are locked in a narcissism competition, though they’re still a far cry from the ego levels of Billy. The show attempts to address mental health issues with educational moments, but often these struggles seem to be used more as dramatic plot devices rather than serious explorations of these conditions. With the current storylines, it feels like the portrayal of mental health is more sensationalized than sensitive. Fans might be longing for a return to epic, heartfelt romances like Neil and Drew or scandalous affairs reminiscent of Devon and Hillary.