Why our work matters

Young people today are growing up in a world that is certainly different — and perhaps more complex — than it was in previous generations. While challenges around school, relationships, and global events have always existed, the scale, speed, and intensity of these pressures have significantly evolved.

From the constant presence of social media and academic expectations to global uncertainty and shifts in traditional family structures, many young people feel overwhelmed and disconnected. Added to this are the increasing pressures on families — with the rising cost of living and both parents often working - time, energy, and emotional availability at home can be stretched thin.

There is also growing confusion around mental health: What’s normal? What’s not? What’s healthy? When is it time to seek support? With community ties often less visible or consistent, many young people are unsure where they truly belong or who they can turn to.

 

And often, the signs aren’t obvious. Mental and emotional struggles don’t always look like sadness or distress. Many young people become skilled at masking their pain — smiling on the outside while feeling overwhelmed within. Others may express their inner turmoil through more visible behaviours: acting out, withdrawing, taking risks, refusing school, or struggling to connect.

It’s like an iceberg — what you see on the surface is only a fraction of what’s really going on underneath.