HOUSTON – As the school year begins for children in the Houston area, mental health is at the forefront of concern for teens and tweens after a recent survey revealed they are dealing with a wide range of emotions.
The survey, conducted by the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Houston, showed more than half of club members aged 13 to 17 reported feeling anxious, angry, or overwhelmed at least some of the time before the start of the 2024-25 school year.
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The survey finds 75% of those experiencing these feelings expressed comfort in talking to club staff, and 71% felt at ease discussing important social issues with staff.
The number one social issue for Houston’s youth is mental health. The survey also revealed that while 87% of teens are excited about their futures, nearly two-thirds feel overwhelmed by the process of applying for college, financial aid, and jobs.
“These findings should serve as a warning about the emotional state of our youth,” said Kevin Hattery, president and CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Houston. “Ask the kids in your life how they are doing, listen to them, and guide them in the right direction. All kids deserve to start and finish the new school year feeling good emotionally and physically. That’s how they succeed.”
The Youth Voice survey is part of a broader wellness check conducted by BGCGH to ensure the needs of Club members are being met.
“As a thought leader on the needs of youth, we strive to measure, analyze, and implement programs that best serve and inspire our members and the community,” Hattery stated.
Key survey findings include the following:
Club tweens and teens care about a variety of social issues.
- In addition to mental health, other social issues of concern include racial justice, freedom of speech, women’s rights, and police and criminal justice. Most Club members are also personally affected by the social issues they identify as important.
Club tweens and teens are excited about their futures and are interested in Life & Workforce Readiness supports.
- The majority of Club members (87%) have started thinking about their careers. However, 33% are concerned about not knowing where to start when pursuing them.
- Over half (59%) of Club members are interested in support with college applications and financial aid, while 41% are looking for assistance with job applications.