Young people in crisis
A cry for help and the search for an anchor
“The youth are our future, right?” Unfortunately, a recent article in The Lancet, a leading medical-scientific journal, paints a worrying picture of young people worldwide. An increasing number are experiencing a profound sense of unease and even threat. This includes fear of climate change, global tensions, and serious mental health problems.
A global crisis that hits close to home
This problem isn’t limited to Western society. A new analysis from the Global Burden of Disease Study reveals that a staggering 1.1 billion adolescents live in “multi-burden countries.” These are nations where young people face daily risks of major issues like early pregnancy and AIDS.
The situation in the Netherlands is also alarming. Depression is on the rise, and shockingly, suicide is the leading cause of death among young people under thirty, as recently reported by Statistics Netherlands (CBS). This is incredibly serious, especially considering these are young individuals who have their entire lives ahead of them.
The shadow of social media
Beyond broader societal issues, we also see the immense negative influence of social media. Through their phones, young people are often confronted with what others portray: the most beautiful photos, the coolest friends, the most luxurious outings. This quickly leads them to feel inferior. “They are beautiful, I am not. They have many friends, I do not. They go out, I do not.” This erodes their self-esteem, resulting in a negative self-image and often depressive feelings.
The importance of a healthy foundation
It is crucial to develop a healthy self-esteem. But how do you do that? If you derive your self-worth from your income, your parents’ status, your job title, or even your car or home, that’s a fragile starting point. It’s a weak foundation for your life, because these things can change unexpectedly, and with them, your self-esteem can vanish.
That’s why it’s so important, especially in this era where secularization seems to be increasing, to seek help and care from God. God is the source of all life and always has His eye on us. The Bible beautifully states in Psalm 139:
“For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made.”
This shows that God has been involved with our lives from the very beginning of our existence. He created us as beautiful people, intending for our inner selves to shine and for us to be happy.
However, sin and other influences put pressure on our lives and cause happiness to disappear. How important it is then to recognize that who you are, you are loved and fully accepted by God. It doesn’t matter what others say, whether you have a beautiful or handsome appearance, or what makes you “less.” The outward person doesn’t determine your beauty. Every person has something beautiful within them, and that’s incredibly important to see.
A personal testimony
My wife, Ingrid, and I both entrusted our lives to God at a young age. Now that we are much older, we often say, “What a good choice we made then!” We have been spared much hardship. Of course, we have also experienced difficulties: undesirable family situations and threatening illnesses. But in all those moments, there was always an anchor.
That’s why it’s so important that we teach our children the way of God at a young age. That they seek their help from the Lord. Proverbs 22:6 says:
“Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.”
This1 means that a good example is so important. Not only for parents, but also for teachers, youth leaders in the church or at sports clubs, and indeed all people who interact with young people.
Hope dawns on the horizon
Fortunately, there is also good news and hope for young people. Never before have so many people taken an Alpha course as in the past year: worldwide, there were more than two million participants in 2024. The Dutch branch of Alpha also sees “strong growth” in the number of participants. “We are truly surprised by God,” they say. Everywhere there is an enormous hunger to learn more about the Christian faith.
Young people worry about the climate, Putin, the housing crisis, you name it. They are looking for an anchor, and many are fortunately finding it in the Christian faith. The “God in the Netherlands” study, conducted every ten years since 1966, noted a remarkable change among young people in its most recent edition (April 2025). Dutch people born after the turn of the century are more open to religion, and specifically to Christian churches, than the previous generation.
So, there is hope for young people, even for those who, according to statistics, are greatly concerned about their future. The answer is to place your life in God’s hands, to involve Him in all stages of your life. Preferably as early as possible. This is not always the easiest choice; sometimes you have to defy the laughter and mockery of peers.
How do young people, and older people too, keep their lives balanced and mentally healthy? By knowing that you are unconditionally loved by God, regardless of your circumstances. By being dependent on your Heavenly Father in times of worry, who gives strength and peace. By experiencing His closeness in difficult times, and by the Holy Spirit who helps you in your daily life.
That is true healthcare… through Jesus!
@wimvanputten