I'm worried about you. You're at that point in your rage against the Machine where things can take a turn for the worse. Might not get to that point, but the rest of us watching you going to extremes to get our attention can't help wanting to form a human circle around you, lay our hands on you and ask the ancestors to make a way for you. But here's the thing. Any time nothing's going right for you, things are actually going right for you. I had to learn to let go of control in order to be in control. Once I passed that exam, my graduations came in so many different forms of peace and joy that even the Machine had to yield to the light in and around me!
Let’s just say it. Depression. It doesn’t help that the weight of the world is on your shoulders---
+ Insufficient identification
+ Criminal record
+ No to incomplete formal education
+ Undocumented
+ No to poor job preparedness
+ Unaddressed trauma
+ Unhoused
+ Othered
We’re seeing a steady increase in child suicide as young as 10years of age. From 1999 to 2017, there was a 76% increase in children’s killing themselves. Within that general increase, White, non-Hispanic youth suicide was at 85%. Black, non-Hispanic youth suicide 87%. Hispanic youth suicide 63%. Asian and Pacific Islander youth suicide went 140%. American Indian/Alaska Native 133%, as a result of genocide, institutional racism and cultural alienation.*
And yet the best of us somehow make it through---
Insufficient identification?
You can get proper ID for free from your representative. Becoming an identifiable citizen is part of growing up.
Criminal record?
Focus on job opportunities with inclusive policies. Look up lists of companies that hire persons with criminal records. Find out about post incarceration agents like Exodus for job referrals. See if there’s one or a similar one in your area.
No to incomplete formal education?
If you know basic math, can tolerate reading a book and can finish something you started, then you should consider community college. If sitting still for more than 5mins or you’d rather fix something than talk about it, try trade school. If you have a business idea but don’t want school to kill your sense of originality, become self-taught but keep up with mainstream trends.
Undocumented?
All students have the right to enroll and attend public schools. But undocumented parents are afraid to enroll their sons and daughters out of fear of getting deported and becoming permanently separated from their children. When in doubt, start with your own community. Undocumented community leaders will help you avoid scams and point you to what you ultimately want: U.S. citizenship. Also look up Mydocumentedlife.org and Immigrantsrising.org to connect with other undocumented youths for cultural support and networking.
No job preparedness?
You can have job experience and still not get the job if the one in the position to hire you thinks you lack customer service skills, professional appeal or basic social skills. Make it your business to learn any and all of these, while also learning how to look like a hire-able person on paper (resume).
Unaddressed trauma?
You can get the job you wanted and still not keep it if you’re still avoiding anger management classes or denying you need help with your social or emotional triggers. The sooner you check that, the sooner your life will be free of constant interruptions caused by your failure to deal with your emotional blackouts.
Physical Challenges?
The fact that I’m saying ‘physical challenges’ and not ‘disabled’ means that we as a society are learning to be more mindful of language when addressing specific populations. Doesn’t mean ignorance is dead; just that it ain’t cool anymore to call someone disabled or handicapped, but very cool to say they have a disability or handicap. In 2022, every educational and employment know to follow new laws protecting the rights of youths with disabilities. Aging out while overcoming physical and/or cognitive challenges is a whole other level of youth stress. One young person’s transition planning may be to overcome a language barrier. Another may be learning to master their bipolar triggers. Your transition planning should follow the Reauthorization of the Individual Disability Education Act (IDEA) which recognizes the importance of continuing your support services beyond high school and into adulthood.
Unhoused?
Once you get assistance getting your own phone, get the Theteenproject app for housing opportunities specifically for homeless youths. ShelterListings.org offers a number youths can text to find a shelter near them or a complete list of shelters in their area. And just so you know, under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, most youth who aged out of foster care remain eligible for health care and are guaranteed health insurance coverage until they turn 26.
Othered?
Whether you have a disability, are from a different culture, come from a war zone, have a different lovestyle or gender expression, being treated like you half matter or don’t matter at all can lead some to internalize the mistreatment. Anyone who’s been othered, including me, can tell you that we overcame injustice by first understanding that the problem wasn’t us. And start from there.