The plight of youth in today’s society is becoming increasingly apparent to the international community. Due to violence, questions over political legitimacy, and education deficiencies, youth are facing a plethora of challenges. The result is a crisis of compassion. There are many issues that young people must consider in order to help them cope with the crisis. This article explores some of the most pressing problems that face youth today. It will also highlight ways that youth can combat these problems.
The plight of the youth in the developing world is especially striking. Millions of young people are struggling to make ends meet. Many of them eke out an existence on the black market, and many are at risk for contracting diseases like HIV/AIDS. In addition, youth in these countries are unable to access health care and education, which are essential for a productive life.
Youth in crisis are prone to depression and suicidal thoughts. Mental health problems are the leading cause of disability among youth. Statistics show that one in five young people aged three to 17 years had a mental disorder at some point in their lives. Further, one in three high school students had persistent feelings of sadness. One-fifth of these youth had attempted suicide or seriously considered it within the previous year.
In addition to a growing population, young people are increasingly exposed to violence and poverty. This increases their risk of being drawn into street gangs and armed factions. They are also more likely to be victims of sexual exploitation. The quality of life for future generations depends on how well these youth manage their transition to economic independence. And it is difficult to achieve economic independence when faced with such an environment. A lack of economic opportunities can be a major barrier to youth’s social development.
In response to the increasing number of cases of youth suffering from mental illnesses, increased research funding is needed. Although psychological science has made great strides in the field of youth mental health, the pace of discovery must accelerate. This requires increased funding to the National Institute of Mental Health, the National Institute of Minority Health, and the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. Additionally, increased funding is required to support prevention and treatment programs for youth suffering from mental health problems.
Increasingly, youth research has turned to the study of ‘gangs’ among youth. Traditionally, youth researchers have been reluctant to use the term “gang” in their work, but today the term is more widely used. In some cases, the youth in question are deeply immersed in violence, and carrying weapons is a normal activity. This book brings together leading scholars and practitioners in the field to provide a definitive account of these complex issues. It also addresses the gender differences that are often overlooked in research on youth.
The Youth Behavioral Health Hospital at North Central Health Care is a center for care for adolescents who are facing a mental health crisis. The program accepts referrals from the Crisis Center and provides 24-hour care in a safe and secure environment. Short-term therapeutic interventions are also offered in the program. These services are aimed at reducing the severity of the crisis and connecting youth to the services they need.
The ILO warns that there is an urgent need to provide 400 million decent employment opportunities to youth around the world. While this goal is not realistic in the short-term, it will have negative consequences for the lives of many youth. Global progress has been made in the area of education for youth, but the gains are uneven. The gender and regional differences in literacy rates are especially worrying. Further, the gender gap is increasing. Despite the progress made in the area of education, the youth employment crisis continues to plague many nations.