About the experience of a young person and the question of whether we are noticing and supporting young people
Being late. Behavior is not always the problem itself: it is often a symptom.
A warning that something is wrong.
Last week, Estonia was shaken by yet another news story about a violent act by young people, and this morning
started with several messages received – did you see the news? What is happening to our youth? I
I believe they have gone unnoticed. The news concerned young people whose violent act led to
to the loss of someone's life. This was unfortunately not the first time. This news prompted
write to MTÜ Sa Suudad young advisor and student of the Estonian National Defense Academy –
Diana. Diana felt the need to speak out on this issue and she has opened her thoughts and
the feelings that overwhelmed her when she read the news. Diana's big dream has been since she was a child
ambassador to be someone who creates a sense of security. He has had his struggles, but he looks
to all this bravely and wholeheartedly. His thoughts are not a justification for the actions of the youth,
but a call to understand and prevent.
I am a student at the Estonian Academy of Internal Affairs, currently studying a specialty that is relevant to me.
close to my heart, I have understood even more why I chose it. Not just
because of form, but because I believe in justice, a sense of security and that one
a person can create change. As a MTÜ Sa Suudad young advisor, I have heard and
We have seen many stories that have one thing in common – pain that has gone unnoticed. We do not
we can no longer simply ask, „Why did this happen?“ we must ask, „What can we do
What can I do today to prevent this from happening again?
We all read these headlines, feel a moment of shock… and then we move on. But suddenly
It's time to stop and really think - how did we get here? And what
Can we still do it before it's too late again?
Every time we hear that a young person has done something tragic or incomprehensible, we cry out
heart aches. These stories we read in the headlines don't start with someone
raises a hand against himself or someone else, but somewhere much earlier, usually already
From early childhood – from a home where there is no stability. From a school where you are left alone.
Friends who need support. Do we notice children whose trauma is not visible?
Who lives in fear, in pain? In the end, everything explodes at once, and if we don't listen and
Look, before it's too late, we'll be left reading this news and asking: "Why?"“
The reality is often painful: too many young people and children are left alone. Their pain is not
They are not spoken to, they are not listened to, they are not noticed. They carry within them experiences for which
there has been no room: abandonment, violence, loneliness, inner turmoil. If their
needs are not noticed or met, silence can turn into pain, which manifests itself in
in defiance, sadness, or dangerous actions. These young people are not behaving badly, but their
The behavior is a consequence of unmet needs that have not been addressed.
I have had an experience where I had to intervene to prevent greater damage – it required
from me quick, thoughtful decisions, courage and action. My goal was
certain: the situation had to be stopped immediately to prevent further damage. Fortunately, I was able to act
at the right time and the result was positive. This experience confirmed to me how important it is to
to see with the heart. It is easy to close your eyes and look away, but more importantly
to be the one who dares to intervene – here and now. We need more people who don't stay
bystanders. They only act when help is needed most. Every case is
different, but silence is never the solution. Violence will not go away if we don't talk about it.
If we do not notice and respond to violence, it can easily remain hidden and
Each of us can be part of the change if we can notice and dare
to act.
There is a lot of talk about young people who “don’t want to” or “are evil.” But anger doesn’t arise in a vacuum.
Anger is always associated with pain. It is often a cry for help, expressed
in the only way a young person can. It is easy to punish, much harder to understand. And no one
Young people are not bad or evil, their actions may be bad.
We can't change the past, but we can change direction.
I call on all of us: let's look around us. At school, at the bus stop, in our backyard.
If you see that someone has changed – withdrawn, aggressive, quiet – don't
look away. Ask: “Are you okay?” This simple question can start
to achieve something great. Every young person and child needs to feel that they are important. To make them
They are listened to. That they are not alone, that they are truly cared for.
If we see a dangerous situation, then yes – we must first assess our own safety. But
also calling for help, passing on information, notifying a teacher or specialist – this
everything counts. Sometimes it's the intervention that saves the next life.
My goal is a society where we don't have to fear young people or each other. Where the news doesn't
We should not talk about tragic endings, but about effective prevention. The courage to notice can
be the first step in changing someone's life. And that's what's important.
I would like to emphasize that a lack of notice is not always carelessness. We are simply not
Always teach to pay attention to what doesn't scream, explode, or attract attention.
But it's these silent signs that are often the most important. Caring costs nothing,
but its impact can be invaluable.
This is not just a concern for families or professionals. It is the responsibility of all of us – to create
an environment where help doesn't have to be sought, but where it is available before it's too late. Where
children and young people feel that they are important, that they are cared for, that they can make mistakes – and
someone to help him get back on his feet. Courage to talk about mental health. Courage to teach
children that their feelings matter. Courage to build trust in schools, homes and
in youth centers. Courage to ask adults for help, because even an older person can be wounded.
The soul cannot heal the child's unless it has received support.
Every child and young person must have at least one adult who is there for them.
There is. Someone who really listens, someone who doesn't laugh off worries, someone who doesn't punish for feelings.
Trust doesn't just happen: it comes from consistent caring. It's the most
the greatest gift we as adults can offer.
Every young person is someone's child. Every lost path is someone's life. Every silence can be a scream,
that must be listened to. We cannot bring back a life that has been taken, but we can
prevent further losses. If only we take the time to really notice.
But for this to happen, we ourselves must change. We must wake up and look directly at ourselves: are we
have we been there enough? Have we really noticed? It's time to not just hope
a better world, but also to work for it ourselves.
We are no longer waiting for the next tragedy to arrive. We are speaking now. We are listening.
now. The strength of our society is not in how well we punish, but how early
we notice.
We can no longer remain silent. We must speak. We must take notice. And act,
before it's too late.
NB! This article does not seek to justify violent acts. Its purpose is to
to call for the prevention of the following, irreversible events – through understanding,
caring and the courage to intervene at the right time.