Adults Think Youth Don't Want Help
Results from a survey of 500 people aged 25-60 showed that adults feel it is harder to be a young person today than it was in previous generations but believe that young people do not want their help because they are not asking for it.
Survey participants also rated drugs, crime, sexual abuse and depression as key issues for young people.
In contrast, a national school survey of 447 young people in 2005 showed that young people often do not ask for help from adults because they feel embarrassed, do not want to cause trouble, feel they might not be taken seriously or are worried about confidentiality.
Young people also disagree with adults about their biggest issues, naming school, family and their future as the biggest stressors in their lives.
Youthline youth worker Grace Taylor explains “It is not about young people not wanting help, but for a young person the decision to seek help is often about how it is presented. It is important that services and adults are youth friendly and approachable to encourage young people to reach out.”
Research has also shown that help lines and web based services are an effective way to support young people because they are confidential and the young person feels in control of the communication.
Youthline has a 24/7 youth help line where young people can call, text or email about any issues concerning them, as well as online youth information at www.youthline.co.nz and www.urge.co.nz.
“The help line is also a good avenue for young people to be referred to other services, such as face to face counselling, development programmes or youth workers,” says Grace
Youthline is the recipient charity at this year’s Coca-Cola Christmas in the park. Funds raised at the event will be used to support youth work services and mentoring.