While we will always remember the struggles and courage shown by youth in the past, the issues faced by youth right now are a lot different. What are some of our modern-day challenges and how can we overcome them? Read on to find out.

Unemployment

South Africa has one of the highest rates of unemployment in the world and the COVID-19 pandemic has not made it easier young people to find work. I know how difficult it is for anyone who is looking for employment right now, and have provided some resources to help your search and help you deal with unemployment stress and anxiety.

Registering on websites like Harambee can help you on your job search and you can also register your CV on the Department of Labour’s employment services website for work and learning opportunities. Remember that you are not alone in this, and you can always reach out to me if you need to talk.

Substance abuse

There are a lot of reasons why people turn to drugs and/or alcohol. While for some it’s just a way to unwind, a lot of people use substances to cope with stress. It’s important that we not only make people aware of issues with drugs and alcohol, but also make healthier decisions in our own lives.

Substance abuse can include the overuse of alcohol, cigarettes, lean (codeine), weed (marijuana) and any other substance that can be harmful to your health. If you need help with an addiction, you can contact SANCA for help.

Cyber bullying

Social media bullying (cyberbullying) is the use of social media platforms to pick on or shame someone. This can be done by sending someone abusive messages online, exposing personal information like embarrassing videos or photos, posting or supporting revenge porn, and teasing or attacking someone directly or indirectly on social media. This can do a lot of damage to the person’s mental health and reputation, which is why it’s important to be careful about what we post, share, and view on our social media platforms.

Mental illness

Mental illness is still misunderstood in our communities and a lot of people are afraid to get help because of the stigma attached to it. It’s our responsibility to educate ourselves and our loved ones about mental health, so that we can get help if we need it and encourage others to do the same.

Gender-based violence

Gender-based violence, rape and femicide are just a few issues that mostly affect women and people belonging to the LBGTQ community. While there have been lots of initiatives to bring awareness and education about these issues, they still continue to be a problem. Remember that we can still use our voices to have meaningful conversations about this and make our country safer for vulnerable groups.

It can be really scary to live in a world where we have to deal with all these issues, but it’s important to also look at the progress we have made and highlight people who are dedicating their lives to making a difference. There is hope and help for any issue you may be facing so don’t be afraid talk to me about anything.

If you or a friend need advice or help, you can contact me here on Ask Choma, send me a Facebook Message, a Twitter DM, or a WhatsApp Message (071 172 3657.