Youth
Adults tend to look at and speak of childhood fondly as a time of exploring the natural world, spending time with family and friends, and being absent of responsibilities and worries. In a “perfect world,” this would be the case for all youth but these sentiments don’t coincide with the harsh reality for many young people.
In fact, experiencing some form of trauma (such as abuse or neglect) or household dysfunction before reaching adulthood, is actually incredibly common and has many impacts on well-being. Avoiding conversations about the truth of adversity has led many youths to feel completely overwhelmed and hopeless.
Here are a few things all youth should know about life challenges:
1. You are not alone and there are many people who have experienced similar hardships
2. You have hope for healing and recovering
3. You have absolutely nothing to be ashamed of or embarrassed by
4. You should always feel free to ask a trusted adult for guidance or help.
Please review the resources and tools below for more information on living with adversity as a youth and promoting resilience within one’s life.
Articles, Fact Sheets, and Handbooks for Youth
“Using Drugs to Deal with Stress and Trauma: A Reality Check for Teens”
By: National Child Traumatic Stress Network Staff
Source: National Child Traumatic Stress Network
Date: 2008
This resource offers teens who are experimenting with recreational drugs or struggling with substance abuse a glimpse into how trauma can facilitate self-destructive behavior(s). The fact sheet describes the nature of trauma, how it impacts well-being, and the reasoning behind substance abuse (i.e. avoidance, numbing, escape, etc.). Additionally, the resource seeks to demonstrate to young people the dangers of consuming intoxicating drugs, what factors indicate one has a problem with addiction, and some advice on how to get sober and recover.
“Staying Safe While Staying Connected: Facts and Tips for Teens”
By: National Child Traumatic Stress Network Staff
Source: National Child Traumatic Stress Network
Date: 2011
Modern technology has granted Americans the ability to always “stay connected,” whether it’s messaging through a cellphone (i.e. texts, IMs, emails, etc.) or sharing on social media platforms (i.e. Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, etc.). While technology has granted society many advantages in communication, it also has created some additional concerns and dangers especially for teens. This resource provides an overview on how teens can remain safe while using the internet, why “sexting” can cause unexpected harm, and what steps can be taken to be proactive in supporting safety and security online.
Videos for Youth
“Never Give Up: A Complex Trauma Film by Youth for Youth”
By: National Child Traumatic Stress Network staff
Source: National Child Traumatic Stress Network
Date: 2017
Time: 14:29
“It’s Never Your Fault: The Truth About Sexual Abuse”
By: National Child Traumatic Stress Network Staff
Source: National Child Traumatic Stress Network
Date: 2011
Sexual abuse can cause teens to feel completely overwhelmed and turbulent in their emotions, thoughts, and behaviors without an identifiable reason behind them. They could experience a perfuse fear of vulnerability or shame about the event. This could prevent them from speaking about what happened or explaining how it’s affecting them. This resource intends to give teens the information they need to comprehend the scope and power of sexual abuse. The content portrays a definition of sexual abuse, the prevalence of sexual abuse, common facts and myths relating to sexual abuse, and direction in where to seek and find help.
“Coping in Hard Times: Fact Sheet for Youth High School and College Age”
By: National Child Traumatic Stress Network Staff
Source: National Child Traumatic Stress Network
Date: 2011
Economic uncertainties and poverty can serve as a barrier in meeting one’s needs and fuels constant occurrences of stress. Teens and young adults can find this particularly difficult to manage, especially when their exposure to stressors has been fairly limited. This resource showcases the extent economic problems can have on well-being and provides a series of strategies that can be used for coping in periods of instability.