"Youth Right Now" shares
insights from more than 100,000 kids and teens around how they are feeling
today, in key areas like mental health, readiness for life after high school,
and safety and success in an increasingly digital world – streamlining guidance
on how American families, government, schools and partners can better meet the
challenges kids and teens are facing.
In 2022 Boys & Girls Clubs of America, one of the
nation's largest youth-serving organizations representing over 4.3 million
young people, launched Youth Right Now – a new survey featuring insights on
how kids and teens are feeling about their mental health, their safety and
their potential in the workforce, as well as guidance for others to support
young people in achieving great futures.
Kids and teens have a lot to say and
these insights on how they are feeling are invaluable.
Youth Right Now gleans insights from more than
100,000 Boys & Girls Club members, ages 9-18, across more than 3,000 Clubs
scattered across the United States making it, to the organization's knowledge,
the world's largest existing data set in the youth-serving sector.
"Kids and teens have a lot to say, and these insights from
their voices are invaluable for us to identify the issues they are facing,
build support systems, and plan for better outcomes for young people,"
said Jim Clark, president & CEO, Boys & Girls Clubs of America.
"As youth development professionals, but also as caregivers, mentors, and
parents, we have a shared responsibility to listen and understand so that we
can remove barriers and create opportunities that build a great future for all
kids in America today."
To guide parents, educators and caregivers in providing the resources they
need to meet young people where they are, Boys & Girls Clubs of America is
sharing insights on issues that have been impacting young people for decades,
yet have only been exacerbated in recent years.
From the impact of the pandemic to sentiments around cyberbullying,
self-image, social media and beyond, Youth Right Now elevates the voices of
kids and teens among important topics of conversation.
READ MORE: 6 tips to mitigate mental health risks for youth
Among other issues, the survey supports decade-long concerns around mental
wellness, including findings that 71% of kids say they can't stop worrying
about it when something goes wrong and 67% of youth report trying to keep
others from finding out when something does go wrong.
Although this pulse illustrates the steep toll the pandemic has taken on
youth in recent years, it also depicts a resilient and empathetic generation of
leaders and passionate changemakers. Findings also suggest that today's youth
are confident in themselves and their capabilities, with 94% saying they can
work with people who are different than them and 88% feeling they can stand up
for what they think is right.
To discover more survey insights and learn how to continue supporting the
young people in your lives and local communities, visit www.bgca.org/youthrightnow
About Boys & Girls Clubs of America For 160 years, Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA.org) has provided a safe place for kids and
teens to learn and grow. Clubs offer caring adult mentors, fun and friendship,
and high-impact youth development programs on a daily basis during critical
non-school hours. Boys & Girls Clubs programming promotes academic success,
good character and leadership, and healthy lifestyles. More than 4,900 Clubs
serve over 4.3 million young people through Club membership and community
outreach. Clubs are located in cities, towns, public housing and on Native
lands throughout the country, and serve military families in BGCA-affiliated
Youth Centers on U.S. military installations worldwide. National headquarters
are located in Atlanta. Learn more about Boys & Girls Clubs of America
on Facebook and Twitter.
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