Yellow September: valuing the lives of our young people and strengthening hope

Recent international and national studies indicate that depression and anxiety have been increasing among children, adolescents, and young adults in recent years.

Many reports describe an increase in symptoms of low mood, anxiety, irregular sleep, and excessive use of screens and social media as recurring factors in these cases.

However, other factors also contribute to this illness in this segment of our population, such as: - Academic pressure (for those who study), economic instability, family conflicts and loneliness, exposure to violence or trauma, lack of access to quality mental health services.

This ultimately has an impact on daily life, such as worsening school performance, social isolation, difficulty concentrating, and risky behaviors such as alcohol/drug use and self-harm in many cases.

Faced with the lack of or long wait for free medical and psychological care, many CSOs (Civil Society Organizations) have developed projects that seek to build safety nets to strengthen young people's resilience through empathetic listening, welcoming, and referral to support services when necessary.

The Firmacasa CSO in Campinas, SP, through the Canto do Sol Project, develops actions that inspire and strengthen the school and local community through shared reading activities, conversation circles, cultural and sports activities, and social interaction and professional training projects.

Promoting educational and community environments that value the lives, curiosity, and dreams of children and young people is fundamental to healthy emotional development, which in the future can be a decisive factor in shaping adults who are confident in their role and place in the world, who know their full potential to change their destiny.

Understanding that life is a precious gift that deserves daily care, especially during adolescence and youth, means encouraging and recognizing the importance of talking openly about emotions, fears, and expectations, seeking support without shame when emotions show signs of instability.

We thank Projeto Canto do Sol for its dedication to promoting education, presence, care, and hope in the lives of young people in Campinas and the surrounding region.