Supporting Youth Towards Positive Mental Health

Loneliness is a recognized problem amongst the elderly, but it is fast becoming a serious concern amongst the younger generation. Despite social media and friends on face book being an integral part of their existence, chronic loneliness has been described as the silent plague that is hurting young people more than any other age group (Gil, 2014). In the light of the recent acknowledgement that Canada’s mental health service is already failing to care for large numbers of young people, many mental health organizations have turned to digital communication systems to reach vulnerable youth. Although this generation is more digitally connected than any previous cohort, using a digital communication channel to treat loneliness and depression seems counterintuitive. Taking a systems and design thinking approach, this study takes a critical look at the potential causes and complex issues surrounding chronic loneliness, and the link to depression and mental illness for young people, to inform potential preventative interventions