If we could look into each other’s hearts and understand the unique challenges each of us faces, I think we would treat each other much more gently, with more love, patience, tolerance, and care.

- Marvin J. Ashton 

A journey from childhood to adulthood is complex and challenging, raising various mental health issues. The theme of this year’s International Youth Day is “Youth and Mental Health.”

We have to work hard to combat discrimination and stigma around mental health and create conversations around the globe, involving not only policymakers and organizations dealing with this issue but youth as well.

Some of the most wonderful people are the ones who don’t fit into boxes.  -Tori Amos

Get involved and aim to raise awareness. You can do so by joining efforts of organizations that already doing a lot in the area of Youth and Mental Health as a volunteer, or you can make a difference by donating gifts to the cause.  There are many organizations, such as UNESCO and Special Olympics that tackle the issue on a global level. But there are many more that deal with mental health issues in our communities.

Friends for Youth is one of those organizations that tackle the mental health of youth by providing mentoring services to youth that needs them the most.

Serving youth-in-need in San Mateo and Northern Santa Clara Counties, the Friends For Youth mentoring program matches youth with adult volunteers. The youth in the program are referred by teachers, counselors, therapists, social workers, and other youth professionals. Their youth are youth-in-need, meaning they may be facing problems at home with their families, struggling at school, or experiencing issues in their neighborhood. These young people are ages 8-17 and need a positive and supportive adult in their lives.  You have a chance to help them by purchasing gifts for them on the Gooddler platform.

Another local charity that makes a big difference in the lives of youth is E-Soccer.

If you would like to get involved in something impacting a local level, you can get involved in E-Soccer programs offered all over San Francisco Bay Area. E-Soccer is an all-volunteer, inclusive soccer program where typical and special needs children aged five and up participate alongside each other.

Sometimes even the greatest joys bring challenge, and children with special needs inspire a very, very special love. – Sarah Palin