Title: In Remembrance of Lost Youth: A Call for a Collective Response

Today is difficult because a deep, tragic chapter tells the story of youths who have lost their lives to serious youth crime. These beautiful young souls, extinguished before their time, leave a profound impact that reverberates through their families, communities, friends, schools, faith and grassroots community groups. Their absence is a stark reminder of the urgent need for a comprehensive public health approach, addressing the social determinants of health, to prevent such senseless loss and rebuild our communities.

Families bear the heaviest burden when a youth falls victim to a serious crime. Losing a child or sibling is immeasurable, a wound that never truly heals. The emotional trauma can be debilitating, leading to lasting psychological scars that haunt parents and siblings for years. This profound loss also disrupts the family and society's fabric, creating financial hardships and exacerbating existing vulnerabilities. The public health approach recognises that strong family bonds and support systems are essential for preventing youth involvement in crime. To support grieving families and prevent further tragedies, we must invest in family support services, counselling, and community-based programs that help during these times of crisis. We also need a significant injection of core capital and ongoing funding that can go to our organisations to help these vulnerable CYPs.

I know that communities, too, bear the weight of these losses. The entire community feels the impact when a young life is cut short due to serious crime. Fear, mistrust, and division can fester, eroding the social fabric that holds us together. In poor neighbourhoods, where opportunities are scarce and crime rates are high, this problem is exacerbated. I believe that the public health approach can tackle serious youth crime. For me, it is not just about law enforcement but also about addressing the root causes of crime, such as poverty, lack of access to quality education, lack of digital skills opportunities and limited job prospects. Community empowerment programs, like the #BeMedigitalinclusion program, job training initiatives, and investments in education are crucial steps towards building safer, more vibrant neighbourhoods.

Right now, losing our youths like this, we are left with a profound void, one that often leads to a sense of guilt and despair. The trauma of losing a peer to violence can have a lasting impact on mental health and can even push some young individuals towards a path of retaliation or further involvement in crime. Schools must be equipped with the resources and support systems to help students cope with such losses and provide pathways to resilience. School-based violence prevention programs and counselling services can play a pivotal role in ensuring our youths are better equipped to navigate their challenges. We must remember that we cannot leave it all to the schools to solve; we must also do our part.

We, as a grassroots community, are at the forefront of providing support and advocacy for those affected by youth crime. Our organisations are essential in bridging the gap between government agencies and affected families. To strengthen our impact, we must allocate resources to help provide targeted assistance, mentorship, and outreach to at-risk youth. Our knowledge of the local context and close relationships within the community are invaluable assets in our fight against serious youth crime.

The public health approach recognises that health is profoundly influenced by where people live, learn, work, play, and age. It acknowledges the social determinants of health, including economic stability, education, social and community context, and healthcare access, as critical factors affecting individuals' well-being. To move forward, we must address these determinants comprehensively.

Preventing serious youth crime is a collective responsibility. It involves dismantling systemic barriers to education and employment opportunities, ensuring access to quality healthcare and mental health services, and addressing racial and socioeconomic disparities perpetuating violence cycles. We must foster community cohesion, investing in affordable housing, after-school programs, and community centres that provide safe spaces for our youth.

?As we remember the lost youths and the devastating impact of serious youth crime on families, communities, friends, schools, faith groups and grassroots community groups, we must collectively commit to change. The public health approach offers a framework to address the root causes and social determinants contributing to these tragedies. Through collaboration, investment, and a shared commitment to building more robust, more resilient communities, we can honour the memory of those we have lost and work towards a future where such senseless killings are but a painful memory of the past. The time for action is now; our youth deserve a future free from violence and despair.

Academy Achievers