Empowering the Next Generation: Honoring International Youth Day
By CSB of Middle Georgia
Observed annually on August 12, International Youth Day highlights the importance of empowering young people as essential contributors to sustainable development, community health, and global progress. This observance invites us to reflect on how we, as behavioral health professionals and community leaders, can better support the mental, emotional, and social well-being of the youth we serve.
Young people face a unique set of challenges, including academic pressures, social media exposure, and increasing rates of anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideation (World Health Organization [WHO], 2023). According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC, 2023), mental health-related emergency room visits for youth have significantly increased over the past decade, particularly among adolescents aged 12 to 17.
At Community Service Board of Middle Georgia (CSBMG), our child and adolescent programs offer trauma-informed, strengths-based care tailored to meet the complex needs of youth and their families. Services include early intervention, outpatient therapy, psychiatric care, peer support, and skills training—all aimed at fostering emotional resilience, self-awareness, and hope for the future.
Investing in youth mental health today not only prevents long-term consequences but also cultivates a stronger, more vibrant tomorrow. As the WHO (2023) asserts, youth engagement must be a central pillar in community development and public health strategies.
Let’s reaffirm our commitment to youth empowerment, inclusion, and recovery each and every day. Together, we can ensure that every young person has the tools and support to thrive.
References
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2023). Youth risk behavior survey data summary & trends report: 2011–2021. https://www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/data/yrbs/index.htm
World Health Organization. (2023). Adolescent mental health. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/adolescent-mental-health