Today’s youth are more vulnerable than ever before. In fact, the American Academy of Pediatrics and U.S. Surgeon General have called this crisis “a mental health crisis of epidemic proportions.” Suicidal thoughts are up, more youth than ever are receiving psychiatric care, and drug overdoses are at their highest levels in 20 years. It’s no surprise that a high percentage of youth are considering suicide.
The good news is that there are many resources available to help youth in crisis. Some of these resources are provided by local law enforcement agencies, while others are provided by nonprofit organizations. Knowing which agencies can help families is critical. Inspiring Families is one such organization. Its program supports youth and families in need by making phone calls to providers. The agency also offers educational programs to help parents and other family members. For more information, visit their website.
The disenchantment of youth is especially acute in developing countries, where millions of youth live on the margins of society, struggling to survive. Many eke out a living on the black market, which places them at risk of contracting diseases such as HIV/AIDS. There’s no doubt about the societal impact of this crisis. And the problem won’t go away overnight. The World Bank has reported that the world’s youth will be overburdened in the next few years due to economic problems.
The global community has begun to realize the challenges facing youth worldwide. Social inequality is making it more difficult for young people to achieve their full potential, and traditional transitions from youth to adulthood are no longer accompanied by stable employment. This has caused many academics, popular literature, and policy makers to label young people as ‘threatened’. The youth crisis has reached unprecedented proportions in recent years. This crisis has pushed them toward greater apathy, and the global community must take action to help these individuals succeed.
Statistics also indicate a shift in the type of youth contacting the NRS. While fewer young people call the National Runaway Safeline for help, there’s an increasing number of runaway youth and homeless youth who seek help. While the number of homeless youth on the streets has been on the rise in recent years, the number of youth contacting NRS cited family dynamics as the primary reason for their crisis. Moreover, more than half of these young people cite experiencing abuse or neglect in their home environments.
The quality of life for the next generation depends on the transition of youth to economic independence. It is a process that is more difficult than many adults imagine, especially in situations where economic freedom is a distant dream. In these conditions, young people must overcome several barriers to achieve economic independence and to contribute to society. So, addressing the crisis is crucial for both the future of our children and the future of our planet. With the global population explosion, we must ensure the wellbeing of youth and ensure the future of the next generation.
A mobile crisis clinician will meet with the youth and family within an hour of initial contact. The goal is to help youth gain access to resources and improve their trust in the system. It will also help foster positive relationships between youth and their families, and improve the likelihood that additional services will be sought. The mobile crisis clinician’s services are convenient, free of charge, and effective. These services will save both the youth and the family from further distress and incarceration.
At YCSU, the treatment plan is designed to meet the needs of the patient and the family, as well as the crisis that brought about the admission. Parents and guardians are highly involved in the treatment process and are encouraged to spend the night with their children. In addition, the YCSU provides therapeutic recreation for the youth in crisis. The average stay is three to five days. You and your child can stay with your child for support, but there’s no need for them to interact with other patients in YCSU.
The National Picture of Youth Homelessness Report is a snapshot of the people served by Covenant House shelters across the United States. The National Runaway Safeline invites the community to participate in a virtual discussion on the youth homelessness crisis. The Family and Youth Services Bureau, the Administration on Children, Youth, and Families, and the National Runaway Safeline invite you to attend the webinar, “Youth in Crisis: What the Data is Telling Us