The rate of suicide among youth in the U.S. has increased to an alarming level. It has nearly doubled in ten years, and early estimates for 2020 predict that more than 6,600 youth will take their own lives. While the reasons for this increase are complex, some common factors are responsible for the rising rate.
One common factor is urbanisation. Youth from rural areas are often drawn to the urban environment to find better job opportunities and a better life. However, many urban communities lack adequate school and health facilities. The result is a high rate of slum-dwellers. This situation can have disastrous consequences on a country’s economy. Consequently, a solution must be found to the urbanisation crisis. The first step is to understand why so many young people are emigrating to cities.
Another contributing factor is family dynamics. NRS reports that 70% of the youth it serves are experiencing some type of family dysfunction, and 33% of these youth report experiencing abuse in their families. These numbers have increased exponentially over the past five years. It is important to remember that there are many different ways to help homeless and abused youth.
Nationally, youth-led organizations, such as Youth MOVE National, advocate for equal partnership in change and improve mental health services for young people. These organizations focus on empowering young people to work with adults to improve mental health care services and systems. These organizations have 77 local chapters and 9,000 members in 39 states.
Another problem that many youth face is insecure environments. A lack of opportunities for economic independence is one of the major reasons for this situation. Lack of economic opportunities makes young people more dependent on their parents, and prevents them from becoming self-sufficient. Insecure and unequal economic environments often lead to a decline in traditional values.
In developing nations, the problem of disenchanted youth is particularly acute. Millions of young people struggle to make ends meet and live on the margins of society. Many are forced to engage in the black market or live on the streets, where they are exposed to HIV/AIDS and other diseases. They are vulnerable to the negative effects of these conditions and are often the victims of human trafficking.
The National Safe Place Network, or NSPNet, is a nonprofit organization that aims to create a system to address youth in crisis. The organization works with public and private partners to create a more secure, safe, and supportive environment for youth. While the organization does not mention youth voice, its mission is to empower youth and the communities they live in. Similarly, the Child Mind Institute, a nonprofit organization, is dedicated to improving the lives of children and families struggling with mental health.
The SafeHaven for Kids Emergency Shelter Program provides intensive care and treatment for youth suffering from adverse events. The program provides a secure, nurturing environment for children in crisis situations to develop protective factors and foster resiliency. These programs address the causes and symptoms of mental illness, and aim to improve the quality of life for these children.
A mobile crisis clinician meets with youth within an hour of their first contact. They assess the youth and connect them with other resources in the community. This helps build trust between families and improve the likelihood of additional services being sought. They also partner with schools and other resources in order to provide a comprehensive approach to the crisis.
The Relatives Crisis Center has been in operation since 1974. The center provides a safe haven for youth in crisis ages seven to seventeen. They also provide counseling for the youth. Ultimately, the Relatives Crisis Center aims to keep families intact. This institution works to prevent juvenile offenders from reentering to adulthood.
The program is run in partnership with the Center for Homelessness Prevention Studies at Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health. This project is partially funded by the CHPS Scholars Program. The aim of the series is to inform public policy and to promote effective youth crisis interventions. The reports describe the characteristics of homeless youth and the needs of these youth. Moreover, they also discuss the frequency of calls by youth in crisis. In addition, it provides important data and information that can be used to inform public policies.
Youth Mental Health First Aid teaches caring adults how to respond to youth in crisis. This training reviews common challenges faced by youth, discusses typical adolescent development, and teaches a five-step action plan for dealing with the issue. The training covers topics including anxiety, depression, substance use, eating disorders, and psychosis.