Be Awesome presents tips for helping your teen connect and find purpose.
Priscilla Behnke

By Priscilla Behnke

2020 is here and with it exciting plans to ring in the new decade. Unfortunately, according to the Arizona Youth Survey conducted by the state, only about a quarter (24.3%) of high schoolers surveyed were excited about their future.

Continue to read through the survey results for local teens and you see a disturbing pattern. More than 38% don’t believe good things will happen to them, and just 22% believe their future will turn out well. Our next generation is lacking purpose, and it is taking a toll on their future.

At Be Awesome, we cannot claim it is rare to see and report suicidal ideation or threats on our Instagram. When we engage with youth through programming and events it doesn’t take long to realize that a subset of them are merely existing.

They do not believe they matter, and they do not believe they can make a difference. They aren’t plagued with a sense of entitlement that their predecessors, the millennials, get nailed with. This is a true sense of hopelessness and meaninglessness. It shouldn’t be a surprise when they engage in risky and harmful behaviors.

About 43% of county youth reported having consumed alcohol, another 36% used e-cigarettes and 29% used marijuana. Teen suicide rates have increased 56% since 2007. It’s heart-breaking to watch the beating hearts and souls of these youth settle for harmful highs and death. But we don’t have to just sit back and clutch our pearls. We can change this.

Here are three ways in 2020 to help develop confident, connected and successful youth.

  • Mentor. Show a child they matter by the simple act of showing up. The local school district works with Be Awesome to connect deserving youth to adult mentors who can influence their life by just being their friend. You can contact us to see if you would be good fit. Other mentorship programs have long wait list for their kids and are always looking for dedicated and consistent volunteers.
  • Talk with your kids. Parents, engage regularly with your kids. Talk to them about their day and their frustrations, as well as their victories. Even if they give you resistance with attitude or sighs, study after study shows teens reporting parents as their No. 1 influence. If you are an engaged parent, engage with their friends.
  • Support Youth Programs in Maricopa. Weather a church youth group or after-school program, your support matters. Your time and donations can make a huge difference for kids. Call one this year and ask how you can best serve.

At Be Awesome, we are resolving to make 2020 the year issues harming our kids trend down.

BeAwesomeYouth.life

Priscilla Benhke is program director for Maricopa CAASA and Be Awesome Youth Coalition.