Three Crises Affecting Youth in Vancouver Right Now
by
The #CHVCatchUp is a monthly series featuring the latest updates and news from Covenant House Vancouver. Miss604 is proud to be the Official Blog Partner of CHV.
Three Crises Affecting Youth in Vancouver Right Now
The young people Covenant House Vancouver (“CHV”) works with are currently facing three unique and challenging crises: Homelessness, COVID-19, and the Opioid Overdose Crisis. Both onsite at Covenant House and in the community, youth are reporting increased anxiety and a heightened sense of isolation and vulnerability.
For those living on the street and in communal spaces, there has been a deeper worry of physical safety for themselves and for their loved ones. With the large spike in community overdoses in recent months, youth in the community are living this Overdose Crisis daily, during a pandemic, and all while trying to overcome homelessness.
That said, some youth living at Covenant House Vancouver, and even some who are living in the community, have shared that physical distancing has had a calming effect. Normally, they experience an incredible sense of urgency and pressure to catch up on time lost, and to catch up with their peer group. However, COVID-19 has given them the time to reflect and heal in a way that perhaps would not have happened otherwise. They have been able to focus on their mental and physical health, both of which will set them up with a stronger foundation in the long term.
Youth and Staff at Covenant House Feeling the Strain
Michael Whitehead, Manager of CHV’s Community Support Services Team, shared some of the challenges facing young people who live on the streets:
“Both youth and staff are facing increased emotional drain because of the number of overdose deaths. Historically, Covenant House would see maybe 2 to 3 deaths in an entire year. Now we are seeing 3-4 a month. Our youth workers and other frontline staff are feeling the impact. They are supporting youth through their grief while also dealing with their own grief and vicarious trauma.
Youth workers are struggling with how much death they are seeing. They have a ‘rush’ while supporting someone through an overdose, but then comes the ‘low’ after responding to the immediate crisis. Over time, as they continue to bear witness and support youth through these crises, it can be difficult to recharge and find the time to heal.”
These are complex issues that we are all dealing with and it is encouraging to see that the Province of British Columbia and the City of Vancouver are investing more for those facing homelessness and looking at creative ways to address the Opioid Crisis.
Covenant House Vancouver will continue to stand in solidarity with those experiencing homelessness. They will continue to be a place of absolute respect, unconditional love, and, of course, hope.
Since 1997, Covenant House Vancouver has been providing love and hope to youth experiencing homelessness. They are the premiere service provider of residential and outreach services for homeless and at-risk youth ages 16 to 24 in Vancouver.
Follow Covenant House on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for more info.
