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IAHV Yogathon Cause |
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Did You Know?
- Suicide is the third leading cause of death among teenagers.
1,921 young people aged 10-19 committed suicide in the United States in the year
2000 alone.
- For every teen arrested, at least 10 were engaged in violence that could
have seriously injured or killed another person.
- About 1 in 3 high school students say they have been in a physical fight in
the past year.
About 1 in 8 of those students required medical attention for their injuries.
"In 2005–06, 78 percent of schools experienced one or more violent incidents
of crime, 17 percent experienced one or more serious violent incidents, 46 percent
experienced one or more thefts, and 68 percent experienced another type of crime."
-- www.safeyouth.org
A closer look
The mindless violence that affects young adults in our society is but a symptom
of the larger problem our youth face today. In a fast-paced, competitive educational
system, violence, stress, and destructive ways of releasing negative emotions have
become the norm rather than the exception. Neither at home nor at school are students
taught how to deal with stress, trauma, and negative emotions in a healthy manner.
Yet it's clear that all high school students today are facing the highest levels
of stress than ever before.
'Normal' everyday stress
The challenges faced by high schoolers are very evident. The pervasiveness of the
internet has added another dimension to these stresses:
- Peer pressure
- Anxiety attacks
- Academic pressure
- Eating disorders
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- Substance Abuse
- Bullying
- Depression and suicidal tendencies
- Gang violence
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Students in every high school across America face one or more of these challenges
on a day to day basis. Violence, recreational drugs, alcohol, self-destructive behaviour
are the only ways today’s youth learn to deal with these problems. Hundreds
of American schools now require students to pass through metal detectors before
entering the school premises. A recent article in the San Francisco Chronicle highlighted
the prevalence of bullying in our schools.
Is this a priority for us?
How many • street and school shootings • depressed and suicidal
students • teenagers with eating disorders • young people
turning to drugs and alcohol • sexual abuse and assault •
and incidents of gang violence • will it take for us to do something
about it? Ensuring that our youth grow into responsible, healthy and productive
members of society should be a priority for every community.
YES! for stress-free violence-free schools
The Youth Empowerment Seminar (YES!) for High Schools program offers a healthy, proven, and proactive solution.
Both fun and challenging, this 20+ hour program provides teens with a comprehensive toolbox to manage their own
emotions and stress as well as dynamically navigate adolescence. The program broadens youth's vision of the world
and provides practical knowledge and skills they need to realize their highest potential. Read more about the
YES! for High Schools Program.
Roll out your mats for a great cause!Sign up for Yogathon 2009 and embark on an unprecedented journey that
brings hearts, minds, and hands together for a healthier and more peaceful community.
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