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Young people in distress: They need help, it’s available, so why don’t they get it?
They normalise stress and are not equipped to navigate complex systems while looking for help.
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On the surface, help for young people in distress is widely available. Yet, research reveals a troubling gap: many young people still do not seek help until their distress becomes severe.
ST PHOTO: GIN TAY
Anita Fam
A student scrolls through her phone, trying to decide whether she should seek help for persistently feeling anxious. She has not been sleeping well for weeks. Her heart races before presentations. While she feels persistently on edge, she still attends classes and submits her assignments.
She opens several websites, each listing different services – counselling, helplines, clinics, community programmes. Some appear to be meant for those in crisis. Others require referrals. Unsure where she fits, she closes the browser and tells herself she will try to cope for now.
