Now let's face it if the technology was used properly and with the purpose that it was made for, some of the struggles that our teens face today would not even exist. We can not change the fact that the technology exists and that it has become a big part of our daily lives, in school, in work, at our business and home. But as parents, the leaders of our homes and our community we can work together to help our teens control their media usage and overcome their struggles.

The most common struggles that our community youth face today are usually related to:

1. 1. 1. 1. Depression and Anxiety

         2. Low Self-Esteem and Body Image

         3. Eating disorders, Obesity and/or Bulimia

         4. Educational Stress and Lack of Interest

         5. Bullying and Now Cyberbullying

         6. Cyber Addiction

         7. Alcohol and Drug Use

         8. Problems in being involved with the Court System/Judicial system

         9. Teen Pregnancy, Underage Sex, and Sexually Transmitted Diseases, among many others.

An estimated 3.1 million adolescents in the United States had at least one major depressive episode in the past year. That means that 20 percent of teenagers will experience depression before reaching adulthood. Depression rates are growing among adolescents, especially in girls. Teen depression is one of the five leading causes of death among teenagers, according to the Center For Disease Control and Prevention. Their research states that Deaths to teenagers of the ages of 12-19 comprise a small fraction of the total deaths occurring each year in the United States, making it be less than 1 percent (0.68 percent)–or 131,000 deaths occurring to that age in particular. This represents an average of 16,375 deaths per year for that age group.

Suicide is the 11th leading cause of death overall in the state of Nebraska and the 1st leading cause of death for children between the ages of 10-14 and the 2nd leading cause of death for ages 15-34. On average, one person dies by suicide every one day in a half (1.5) in our state, according to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.

The majority of deaths among teenagers are caused by external causes of injury such as accidents (texting while driving), homicide/suicide. According to suicide.org, teen and adolescent suicides have continued to rise dramatically in recent years. Consider these alarming figures:

1. 1. 1. Every 100 minutes a teen takes their own life.

      2. Suicide is the third-leading cause of death for young people ages 15 to 34 in the United States.

      3. About 20 percent of all teens experience depression before they reach adulthood.

      4. Between 10 to 15 percent (10%-15%) suffer from symptoms at any one time, and.

      5. Only 30 percent (30%) of depressed teens are being treated.

These causes of death are, by definition, preventable. Depressive disorders are treatable and in need of immediate professional help. It is important to recognize the signs, if your teen seems withdrawn, experiences a change in his/her sleep patterns, or starts to perform badly in school, schedule an appointment with your teen's physician or contact a mental health professional as soon as possible. Being proactive can be the key to helping your child deal with any of the struggles they face in their daily lives and It's important to talk to your child every day. Get to know your child better and always suggest to him/her about when and how to get help from an adult when needed.

Teenage mortality is a threat to public health. Let's not forget that our teenagers are the future leaders of our communities, our States and our Nation. We need them all healthy and alive. The time has come that we all come together to help them live the life that they are entitled to live since they were born, for Nebraskans this means “The Good Life”.

Some researchers blame technology for the rise in mental health problems, they say that spending too much time on electronic devices may be preventing young people from engaging in sports, socialize with friends and family, getting involved as volunteers in their communities or other peer activities like dancing, modeling or arts that help ward off depression. Others blame the lack of participation and proactivity of the parents, either because of their busy working schedules or the lack of knowledge of the programs and assistance that our community offers, and let's not forget the economic challenges that many families face daily.

Sharing this same concern, many youth, parents and Community Leaders came together to create an organization that will help the young ones understand that they are the protagonist of their lives and the future leaders of our Nation. We truly believe that by promoting positive change, a balance of power and investing in the youth of our collective communities we can make a difference.

Inclusion, diversity, and education are the key to our future true strength and through our Leadership Development, Civic Engagement and Healthy is Beauty Programs, FOREVER FOR YOU CORP will join its efforts with other organizations that are creating positive changes in the lives of our children. The community we live in and also our youth will recognize the beauty behind our culture, ethnicity, and diversity, at the same time having a better understanding of the meaning of inclusion and good health are key to true inner strength and identity.

To join or support our effort please contact us today.