by Lokemun Magar

Created on: September 18, 2010

Youths are at a very vulnerable stage of their lives. How to identify risky behaviours in youths is a very important skill that those involved in mentoring youths must have. Because youths are at a stage of their lives when they start identifying with their own emotions, their aspirations and their true self, they are vulnerable to risky behaviours.

What are some of these risky behaviours? They include drug consumption and trafficking, truancy, drinking, armed robbery, and suicide, among other more minor crimes. Unfortunately, often times, even those who are closest to the youths who exhibit these risky behaviours are not even aware that they have a tendency towards them. Neither do they see the warning signs.

Why do teens turn to these risky behaviours? Reasons can include peer pressure, an unhappy family background, defiance, rebellion towards authority, and a lack of self identity. Pent up emotions and lack of a healthy outlet for these often lead to impulsive acts that youths live to regret. Often, however, if these risky behaviours were identified in their early stages, and the youths given proper follow-up, such acts can be avoided.

These signs normally precedes risky behaviours. Mentors will do well to take note of them and watch out for them in their charges, espcially when they come from at risk families. At risk families are those where the parents have track records of crime or substance abuse, financial or domestic problems. When youths come from such families, they will usually carry with them baggages such as unhappiness, and perhaps regret for having been born into such unhappy and unfortunate homes.

A sudden change in behaviour can signal that something is not usual in the youths' life. They may become very quiet when they are normally noisy and outgoing. They may become easily irate and even lose their temper when they are usually quiet and unshakable. Something is definitely amiss. Check it out with them, even if they may not want to speak their mind initially.

Physical changes may also signify risky behaviours. Cloudy eyes with a gazed look usually signal substance abuse, especially when the  youth suddenly becomes easily irritable and experiences cramps and pains, seizures and fatigue. While youths may not have the financially means to splurge on party pills or hard core drugs, they may abuse cheaper items such as carpenter's glue. Inhalant abuse may lead to sudden death during

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