Vulnerable youth in a Pandemic
The COVID-19 crisis has compounded many of the mental health challenges the vulnerable youth in our program already face.
Physical distancing means many teenagers are unable to take part in their regular activities, leading to feelings of isolation and unhappiness, as well as increased anxiety.
In May, Statistics Canada reported that 27% of youth aged 14-27 were experiencing moderate to severe anxiety due to COVID-19 related impacts. Of Take a Hike youth, 69% reported that COVID-19 was having a negative impact on their mental health. As social distancing and isolation became the norm, along with our school district partners, we saw an increase in anxiety, depression, suicidal ideation, addictions, and trauma among youth. A number of families have lost income and are experiencing food insecurity (many for the first time), heightened anxiety, and hopelessness.
However, in other cases our clinical team noticed some positive factors emerging. They noted decreased anxiety symptoms in some youth who were experiencing the positive effects of spending more time with family, and less time influenced by peers. Take a Hike Clinical Director, Pete Prediger, explained: “A lot of youth spend their time avoiding, and they avoid by being with their friends all the time. I think, sometimes, that can do more harm when they’re with their friends at all hours of the day and into parts of the night. The positive that I can see in this period of social distancing is that it has really become a time to reflect, and a time for almost forced reflection.”
Pete emphasized the importance of intentionally connecting with youth during this time:
“Maybe as parents and caregivers it’s asking the question — ‘How can I use the time we have as a family now to connect in different ways than we have in the past?’ Whether it’s a family lunch or a family dinner, a game of cards, — is there a scheduled break in the day?”
For youth dependent on their phones and social media, Pete suggests that parents and caregivers consider questions they can ask their children about what they’re learning online. For example, they can ask them what’s happening in the world, and about how what they’re learning online is shaping their worldview. “If a parent walks into a room and sees their child on a device and they just react with, “get off the device,” the child has no other option for interaction,” said Pete.
“But when a parent asks questions about what they’re learning and seeing, and how it affects them, they’ve now given them a new option for socializing: they haven't just shut it down. And when youth experience a new type of conversation like that, it makes them feel seen. And as humans we’re drawn to the positive, so instead of picking up the device every time, the child can now choose to have this real connection right here with mom or dad, or their caregiver.”
With over 16 years’ experience counselling vulnerable youth at Take a Hike, Pete understands that the program’s effectiveness lies in the close relationships that staff develop with each youth, and in what can be accomplished by spending so much intensive and shared time together. “We need to be intentional with youth and make time to listen,” said Pete, “not only to what they’re struggling with but also to who they are and what they’re interested in.”
“At Take a Hike it’s not about focusing on a youth’s problems. We get to see with our own eyes their success. We get to see with our own eyes the things they’re interested in. We don’t really see that in a private counselling practice. We hear the client’s version, but we don’t see it in real time like we do at Take a Hike.
“Instead of asking youth what they struggle with, we ask them who they are, and what they love. Then they will talk to us and they will engage. And then they will feel like this is someone that when things go wrong, I want to talk to.”
The youth at Take a Hike have shown incredible perseverance and determination during prolonged uncertainty and a deeply unsettling time. From all accounts, we know this is due to the skills and resilience they have developed at Take a Hike, along with the unparalleled mental health support and close relationships they have as part of the program. They have successfully completed the school year or celebrated graduation and have all achieved significant personal and academic milestones. Our youth and their families are supported thanks to our donors. We thank you.
