What Today’s Youth Are Actually Up Against — And How We Can Respond

Working with youth today means stepping into a complex landscape — one that’s shifting faster than ever. Whether you’re in a school, probation department, or community-based program, it’s clear: the challenges youth face isn’t just about behavior. They’re about pressure, trauma, disconnection, and survival.

As a Crossroads® facilitator, understanding the broader forces impacting the young people in your groups helps you lead with empathy, patience, and purpose. Here’s a closer look at what today’s youth are actually up against — and how Crossroads programming is built to help.

1. Mental Health is in Crisis

According to the CDC, more than 40% of U.S. high school students reported persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness in 2021, and nearly 1 in 5 seriously considered suicide (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2023). These numbers aren’t just statistics — they show up in your groups as disengagement, apathy, or explosive reactions.

Crossroads’ youth curriculum, especially in Anger Management, Cognitive Life Skills, and Delinquent Behavior, is designed to help participants name what they’re feeling, think before they act, and begin to regulate their emotions. It creates a safe place to process and practice healthier choices — something many youth rarely get.

2. Social Media is Shaping Identity and Anxiety

Today’s teens are constantly connected — and it’s taking a toll. , Teens report that their social media use is excessive compared to that of two years ago, according to Pew Research Center,and 44% say that they have tried to cut back on their social media use.

Crossroads groups help bring youth back to real conversations. Through workbook-based activities and facilitator-led discussions, participants practice face-to-face communication, conflict resolution, and personal reflection — skills that don’t always get modeled online. The program’s structure supports both accountability and authenticity.

3. A System Under Pressure: Youth Perceptions of Fairness

The path to juvenile justice involvement is rarely the result of a single choice — it’s often the outcome of a complex mix of personal, educational, and environmental factors. Research shows that certain youth are at statistically higher risk: those who are male, Black, around age 15, or experiencing homelessness, abuse, or neglect. Struggles in school — like chronic absences, suspensions, or grade retention — also significantly increase a young person’s chances of entering the system. Mental health conditions, frequent school changes, and exposure to community violence add to the weight many youth are carrying before they ever enter a courtroom (CJCC, 2020).

For those of us working within the system, these data points are more than numbers — they’re reminders of the stories and barriers many young people bring with them. Programs like Crossroads are designed with this understanding at the core. By offering targeted, evidence-based curricula that address decision-making, coping skills, and personal accountability, Crossroads supports youth in building a new path forward. It’s not about ignoring what they’ve been through — it’s about meeting them where they are and equipping them to move beyond it.

4. School and Family Pressures Are Mounting

Pew Research Center (2024) also found that teens themselves identify anxiety and depression as the most common challenges among their peers — more than bullying, drug use, or violence. Add to that unstable housing, community violence, or under-resourced schools, and it’s clear that many youth feel overwhelmed before they ever walk into a Crossroads group.

What makes Crossroads effective in this context is that it doesn’t assume a level playing field. Its realistic scenarios, concrete language, and step-by-step decision-making tools are accessible to youth dealing with chaos and pressure. It teaches skills like responsibility and empathy without moralizing — because the goal isn’t perfection, it’s progress.

Crossroads®: A Practical Response to Complex Problems

Facilitators often tell us that Crossroads is more than a program — it’s a tool that helps them connect with youth in meaningful ways. The curriculum is designed to foster:

Emotional regulation
Personal accountability
Communication skills
Future-oriented thinking

Every workbook, whether on Truancy, Substance Use, or Gang Involvement, is rooted in the Real Colors® mindset — helping facilitators recognize different personality styles and adjust their approach accordingly. That shared understanding creates a more respectful, engaging group experience.

“Want to learn more? You can schedule a quick meeting with an account manager to explore how Crossroads or Real Colors might support the work you’re already doing — no pressure, just a conversation.”

References

A study of the root causes of juvenile justice system … CJCC. (2020). https://cjcc.dc.gov/sites/default/files/dc/sites/cjcc/CJCC%20Root%20Cause%20Analysis%20Report_Compressed.pdf

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2023). Youth Risk Behavior Survey Data Summary & Trends Report: 2011–2021. https://www.cdc.gov/yrbs/dstr/index.html

Council on Criminal Justice. (2024). Trends in juvenile offending: What you need to know. https://counciloncj.org/trends-in-juvenile-offending-what-you-need-to-know/

Pew Research Center. (2022). Teens, social media and mental health. https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/2025/04/22/teens-social-media-and-mental-health/

Pew Research Center. (2024). Problems teens see among their peers. https://www.pewresearch.org/social-trends/2025/03/13/problems-teens-see-in-their-schools/