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Social media youth mental health crisis – discover how comparison culture, cyberbullying, FOMO, and addiction drive anxiety, depression, and self-harm in teens, plus actionable detox, literacy, and policy fixes.

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Advocates question whether the 2022 bills have truly fulfilled their promise.

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A major new Lancet report reveals that adolescents worldwide face escalating health, social, and environmental challenges — but receive a fraction of the support they need. Experts call for urgent investment, youth inclusion, and evidence-based reform.

Namibia faces a growing crisis: Too many boys in Namibia are growing up without active fathers. Official data reveals that more than half of Namibian mothers raise children alone, and that 53% of infants under two live only with their mother despite their father being alive. In neighbouring South Africa, about 64% of children live without their biological father. These numbers underscore a regional dilemma that must not be ignored. Fathers serve as role models and authority figures, helping instil discipline, values and self-worth. As Cassie Carstens emphasises in ‘Reviving Dad Power’, “the most fundamental flaw in society is fatherlessness”. Without this presence, boys often struggle to learn respect, self-discipline and purpose. Research shows that many children with behavioural issues lack father figures, often leading to emotional instability and defiance of authority. CONSEQUENCES The educational consequences are striking. Boys without involved fathers are more likely to misbehave or fall behind in school. Namibia has seen a steady decline in male participation in higher education, with females now outnumbering males 140 to 100 in tertiary institutions. This disparity reflects how a lack of guidance can stunt boys’ academic and personal growth. These issues continue into adulthood. With youth unemployment at around 38% (MacroTrends), many young men face a bleak future. Without education, job skills or support networks, they are more likely to experience poverty, hopelessness and identity crises. For many, the absence of a father figure to offer advice or encouragement leaves them adrift, Munyungano Musisanyani writes in ‘Men and Suicide in Namibia’. The social impact is also severe. Studies in Southern Africa show that absent fathers are linked to higher levels of crime and delinquency. Some boys seek belonging through gangs or resort to drug and alcohol use as a coping mechanism. These types of risky behaviour often stem from the absence of a stabilising male role model. Mental health is another major consequence. Depression, anxiety and low self-esteem are frequently reported among youth experiencing parental absence. Between 2020 and 2023, 1 542 Namibians died by suicide – 80% of them were men. The stigma around seeking help and the pressure on men to appear strong only worsens the crisis. SOLUTIONS EXIST Community mentorship programmes can match fatherless boys with positive male figures. Mental health services must be accessible and stigma-free. Schools should invest in tutoring, extracurricular, and vocational training to keep boys engaged. And job readiness programmes must equip young men with the tools they need to succeed. Most importantly, Namibia must foster a culture that values and supports fatherhood. Initiatives from community organisations, religious institutions and government agencies can promote active parenting and hold absentee fathers accountable. If society collectively steps in, we can help shape a generation of empowered, respectful and purpose-driven men. * Taapopi Angula is a digitalisation adviser at Giz South Africa. The post Absent Fathers, Lost Futures: Namibia’s Young Men in Crisis appeared first on The Namibian.

Allexer Namundjembo Youth and student organisations are demanding urgent intervention from the education ministry over the ongoing food crisis in government hostels, following procurement delays that have left many learners without meals. The Landless People’s Movement (LPM), Affirmative Repositioning Students Command (ARSC), and Students Union of Namibia (SUN) have criticised the ministry for failing to ensure food supply in hostels and warned of the impact on learners’ health and academic performance. LPM Youth Command spokesperson William Minnie blamed the crisis on bureaucratic inefficiency and political interference. “It’s a failure of governance when children go hungry because of governmental ineptitude,” he said.  He accused the government of prioritising tender deals over learners’ basic needs and called for a complete overhaul of the procurement system, including decentralisation and stronger accountability. They also urged for an overhaul of the procurement system, advocating for decentralisation, transparency, and a focus on public welfare. “The government that can’t feed its children has forfeited its legitimacy,” Minnie said.  ARSC UNAM main campus chairperson Johanna Frans said the procurement dispute has caused unnecessary hardship for learners. “It is one of the current contributing factors for an innocent Namibian child to fail due to the unmanaged resources, which in this case will be due to a lack of food,” she said. She criticised the ministry for allowing the previous catering contract to lapse without securing a replacement. “What if the ministry’s procurement division is tasked with food distribution? The tenders in the government system will not work. Look at what is happening in the health ministry. Hospitals are running out of medicine because those who are entrusted with tenders are failing to deliver on time. This is not good for Namibia,” Frans added. Students Union of Namibia (SUN) president Bismarck Shikesho said the crisis is a direct violation of learners’ right to education and well-being. “A hungry learner cannot concentrate in class, which negatively impacts academic performance, mental health, and overall development,” he said. Shikesho called on the Ministry of Education to apologise and implement a plan for emergency food relief to avoid further disruptions. “The ministry must urgently address the legal and logistical challenges hindering the procurement of food supplies to ensure that all hostels receive sufficient and nutritious food without delay. Exploring emergency procurement measures is essential to prevent any disruption to learners’ meals,” he added.  He also recommended regular audits and oversight to improve transparency and prevent similar problems in the future. The National Africa Students Association (NASA) president, Muzani Muzani, said it would only comment if hostels completely ran out of food. “As it stands, the association will only comment once schools run out of food or when the ministry has solved all its legal battles,” said Muzani. In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Ministry of Education confirmed that it could not extend contracts of the previous food suppliers, which ended in March, due to the expiration of approval previously granted by the Ministry of Finance. It added that the current procurement process is caught in legal battles. The ministry cited a second review order issued on 19 March after two bidders requested a review and noted that the High Court ruled on 24 March in a contempt of court appeal involving the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Education, Pamo Trading Enterprises, and other parties.