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Troubled Youth

Home > Topics > Social problems > Troubled Youth

Childhood and adolescence are crucial stages in human development. In our society, most children and adolescents grow up in a healthy environment, integrate well into society and are able to have their needs met. The majority obtain the resources they require for their health, safety, well-being and development from their parents, families and communities.

However, a minority of children and adolescents are unfortunately living in great distress. Their problems are sometimes severe enough to impede their development as well as their ability to find a place in society. These difficulties may take on several forms:

  • A neglected child who does not receive vital healthcare;
  • Another who is left unattended for long periods of time (considering the child’s age);
  • A young victim of sexual abuse;
  • A mistreated child;
  • A teenager with behavioural problems or a drug problem;
  • A suicidal youth.

The list is long, and behind every case are a young person and family in distress.

CLSCs offer a variety of services to children, adolescents and their families. These include preventive, screening and intervention services that focus on the following problems:

  • Developmental delays in children
  • Violent and aggressive behaviour of children and adolescents
  • Academic failure and dropout
  • Drug addiction
  • Mental health problems
  • Adjustment difficulties following family breakups
  • Hyperactivity
  • Difficult parent/child relationships

Each year, approximately 100,000 calls are placed to Québec youth protection centres by parents who are at the end of their rope or neighbours, teachers, police officers and health professionals who have cause for concern. Of these calls, which are often cries for help, about half or 50,000 are reported to youth protection services. Following an assessment, approximately 25,000 will be followed up because the safety or development of the child is deemed to be endangered. Even when the report is not acted upon under the Youth Protection Act, we know that in most cases the need for services is great and the level of distress severe.

Various problems can endanger the safety and development of a child. These include negligence, serious A6?behavioural disorders, sexual abuse, physical abuse, abandonment, deprivation of basic necessities, risk of physical or mental harm and exploitation.

When a youth centre is not in a position to intervene because the situation of the child or adolescent does not meet the criteria set by law, the individuals involved are usually referred to a CLSC so they can have access to the services they need.

The Ministère de la Santé et des Services sociaux has conducted public communication campaigns in support of its policies:

The Secrétariat à la jeunesse, in cooperation with various organizations, has prepared a guide entitled At your Service! Youth, which addresses many of the most frequently raised questions and concerns of young people. It also lists most of the places where young people can find assistance or obtain guidance.

Sites of Interest to Young People:

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