Where is the hope?

I was reading an article about how stress and anxiety has plagued the current generation of youths. This was the result of a survey they did:

Mental health on campus

In 2011, 1,600 University of Alberta students took part in the National College Health Assessment survey. The problems students identified are playing out across the country.

Mental health issue experienced at any time within the last 12 months (in %)

Felt things were hopeless: 51.3

Felt overwhelmed by all you had to do: 87.5

Felt exhausted (not from physical activity): 87.1

Felt very lonely: 61.7

Felt very sad: 65.6

Felt so depressed that is was difficult to function: 34.4

Felt overwhelming anxiety: 52.1

Felt overwhelming anger: 40.7

Experienced more than average stress: 57.1

Seriously considered suicide: 6.8

  Attempted Suicide: 1.2


With such depressing figures, one can only wonder how would the numbers change if we were to extend it to youths from all over the world. As a song writer puts it:

Where is the hope, where is the peace?

That will make this life complete

For every man, woman, boy, and girl

Looking for Heaven in the real world

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.          -Romans 15:13 (NIV)