Today, youth are facing many problems, ranging from violence to questions of political legitimacy. There’s also a dearth of compassion and educational opportunities, a combination that makes young people more prone to violence. These challenges, along with the increasing number of children in conflict, should prompt governments to act to protect the youth. But what can be done? Here are a few solutions. In the long run, a solution to the youth crisis cannot be found in one simple solution.
The most immediate solutions involve the immediate care of the psychiatric crisis. Suicidal ideation, breaks from reality, and significant decreases in functioning are signs of a crisis and should be addressed immediately. The young person may even be threatening or violent towards others. In such a situation, the child should be treated immediately by a medical professional. The next step is follow-up mental health care. If the child is able to be stabilized in the short term, they may not require hospitalization.
One solution is to provide decent employment opportunities for the youth in crisis. ILO warns that 400 million jobs are needed to reach the productive potential of youth, a goal that is unachievable in the short term and will have long-term negative consequences. Overall, there has been progress in raising the rate of young people enrolled in school around the world, but the gains are uneven across regions and gender. This is exacerbated in South Central Asia and Africa, where the male literacy rate is significantly higher than that of the female population.
Another solution to the problem of youth in crisis is the youth mental health crisis hotlines. The hotlines are available twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, and are multilingual. They offer 24/7 support and crisis intervention counseling, as well as resource referrals to local mental health service providers. All calls are confidential and anonymous. Using a crisis hotline will ensure that youth receive the help they need to cope with their problems.
There’s no need to wait until an adult’s mental health problems are severe to intervene. Prevention is the key. It is estimated that one in five youth will experience a debilitating illness before they reach adulthood. Youth suffering from these conditions are most vulnerable and at risk for harm. A timely response to mental health problems in adolescents can save their lives. It’s estimated that nearly 3 percent of all pediatric emergency department visits are for young people in a crisis.
A series of youth-focused reports focused on the characteristics, needs, and outcomes of homeless youth are underway. The reports aim to collect accurate and reliable data that will inform public policy and educate stakeholders about youth-specific issues. With these reports, youth are better informed and better able to make informed choices. If you’re interested in learning more about the latest developments in the field of youth-homelessness, register for the webinar today. The National Runaway Safeline invites you to join a virtual discussion on youth-homelessness.
This program can be accessed by any child in crisis. Staff members are available to provide follow-up services for up to 45 days. The majority of calls to 2-1-1 for crisis intervention are made by parents, educators, and emergency department personnel. If a family member or a child is experiencing a crisis, it is important to call EMPS for help. These experts can provide support and guidance. There is no reason for a youth to suffer in silence.
During this pandemic, Hasbro Children’s Hospital in Providence saw a massive increase in the number of mentally ill adolescents. Nearly three-quarters of their patients were there for a reason – to hurt themselves. But the problem has been a significant one in terms of implementing solutions for youth-focused mental health care. The biggest challenges have been finding providers and overcoming obstacles to getting the services children need. If we can solve the problem, we can make the world a better place for our youth.