Mental illness is common among young people and can have lasting effects on the individual, the family, and community. Disconnection from education, employment, and family life can compound the problem. YCC programs support a youth’s emotional, physical, and psychological health. We have identified five factors that are associated with high mental illness rates in young people. This article examines those factors. To better understand youth in crisis, we describe these three types of mental illness.
Economic collapse, political instability, and deteriorated quality of life are contributing factors to the disenchantment and desperation of the youth. This disenchantment has a particularly striking impact in the developing world. Millions of youth live on the margins of society and struggle to make ends meet. Many are eking out a living on the black market. They are at an increased risk of contracting HIV/AIDS and other life-threatening illnesses.
Conflicts in the MENA region, including in the Middle East and North Africa, are also contributing factors to the growing problem of youth in crisis. In these areas, youth play a vital role in civil unrest and failed states. The growing number of youth in these regions may exacerbate the challenges of employment and education. Education can address youth unemployment, provide a pathway to employment, and foster entrepreneurship. In many places, youth are frustrated with the mismatch between their education and the labour market.
While many of the included studies focus on the broader problems affecting youth in conflict zones, the majority focus on specific groups of youth. In the case of the Middle East, the number of youth unemployed exceeds 25%. The problem has a wider scope than a single country, but many of these programs target the region as a whole. The Middle East, North Africa, and South Asia are particularly vulnerable. The UNICEF report also lists common elements in the identity of young people in these regions. For example, 68% of respondents said their religion defined them as a person, while two-thirds said their family status determined their level of success in life.
Globalisation and access to media has influenced the global culture of young people. Some young people experience the relative luxury of living in developed countries. In many poorer countries, however, the youth experience varies from a life of relative luxury. According to the United Nations Population Fund, 850 million young people live in Asia. And while the United States has an estimated 10.5 million youth, this does not include young people in less-developed countries.
Mental health challenges were the leading cause of disability among youth. Nearly one-fifth of children aged three to 17 had a mental health disorder. Furthermore, one-in-three high school students reported persistent feelings of sadness and hopelessness. One-in-five high school students made a suicide plan or seriously considered it. These problems have a direct impact on the future of the next generation. It is crucial that youth in transition-affected countries address this problem so as to help the next generation thrive.
The Surgeon General’s advisory also calls for an immediate, coordinated response to the COVID-19 epidemic. It also recommends strategies for improving mental health among children, adolescents, and young adults. Youth in crisis can be treated early and help them become more independent and productive adults. So it is essential to find the best solution for young people in crisis. These are just a few ways to start the conversation. So, take a moment to learn more about how you can help young people suffering from mental health problems.
Youth in crisis law has been passed in Connecticut to help parents who are struggling to care for their children. The program allows parents to seek help from the Juvenile Court, if needed. Those who have regular contact with youth face challenges navigating this legal system, so they may be the perfect person to help. A trained youth advocate can provide support and information to a young person in need. The youth crisis law also has the potential to change the lives of young people.
A mobile crisis clinician can meet with youth in distress within an hour of initial contact. Moreover, these professionals can connect families and youth to resources. As a result, these services foster trust between the youth and their families, which will help them seek additional services. In addition to these services, youth in crisis can also benefit from peer-to-peer support. If this is not available, it is recommended that parents and youth receive help from other caregivers.