Academic stress is the top concern of youth in Mason County, based on the results of a survey conducted by the The Youth Advisory Council (YAC) of Mason County. The YAC conducts a needs assessment every three years to determine the top concerns and needs of its local youth. YAC sent a questionnaire to all county high schools last fall, and 679 students responded.
Students were asked to choose their top five issues from a list of 35 possible concerns. Academic stress was the top concern for 53% of the respondents; substance abuse, including vaping, was the second top concern, chosen by 41% of students; mental health came in third, with 39% of respondents selecting it as a major issue; home life and bullying/cyberbullying were also significant concerns, each chosen by 25% of respondents.
Most students who responded to the needs assessment said they felt hopeful about their future. The students who felt less hopeful attributed lack of motivation and money as obstacles limiting their future success. Mental health was also seen as a possible contributing factor.
Most students who responded to the survey believed it is important to give back to their community, yet only 31% are involved in some type of volunteer service. When asked what obstacles interfered with their ability to give back, most students responded that lack of time and awareness of volunteer opportunities were the top two limitations.
Students who responded to the questionnaire also had an opportunity to provide suggestions on making life better for local teens. A number of respondents suggested increasing access to counselors to improve mental health and support the college application process. Safe spaces to go, such as teen recreation centers, were also highly suggested.
The YAC is currently accepting applications for its spring competitive grant round. Nonprofits are encouraged to submit proposals for programs or projects that address the key concerns identified in the needs assessment: academic stress, substance abuse, mental health, challenges related to home life, and bullying/cyberbullying. Eligible applicants include all 501(c)(3) organizations, churches, schools, agencies, and governmental units serving youth within Mason County. The application deadline is March 3.
The Youth Advisory Council (YAC) is composed of 27 high school students from Ludington High School, Mason County Central High School, and Mason County Eastern High School. All county high school students have the opportunity to apply to be on the council each spring.
The YAC conducts three grant rounds each school year. Teacher mini grants are offered in the fall to area teachers for special projects or activities to enhance the learning opportunities of their students. In the winter a new recreation grant round is offered to help level the playing field for area recreation teams and groups to enhance opportunities for area youth. The spring grant round is offered to community groups who offer solutions to issues directly related to the current needs assessment.
For more information on the Youth Advisory Council, visit the Community Foundation for Mason County website at https://mason-foundation.org/.
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