Adventist Youth Honors Answer Book/Outreach/Crisis Intervention/R3

3. Describe for your instructor some of the human needs and crisis situations that teenagers in your community face today. Describe some of the crisis situations that families face. This may be done in a group discussion setting.

Teenagers are humans (contrary to some rumours) and therefore are subject to the same human needs as shown on the pyramid. However, as people in transition to an adult world, teenagers face additional decisions and challenges. With less experience in handling crisis situations than older people, teenagers may need to learn tools and skills to cope with life. Families are also comprised of humans who must function in relationships with each other. Families with teenagers are in for an interesting time as their teenagers grow up, leave home, study, find love and enter the workforce.

Once they get into a discussion, Teenagers will, however, focus on the human needs that are most pressing for them.

Discussion topics may include:

• Divorce and family recombinations that place stress on family members
• Decisions about school and career
• Job loss and economic crisis in the family
• Dating and romance
• Self esteem challenges
• Suicide thoughts
• Peer pressure to try illegal, unhealthy or immoral things
• Family violence and other types of abuse
• Loss of a family member or loved one
• etc