In an era of unprecedented material wealth and technological progress, many young people paradoxically feel untethered and purposeless. The comforts and gadgets of modern life do not fulfill the deeper needs of the human person.
A 2023 Harvard study revealed nearly 60% of young adults in the U.S. reported lacking “meaning or purpose,” with half suffering mental health challenges from uncertainty about their direction in life. This crisis demands urgent attention.
Yet, we can’t simply ameliorate symptoms. More mental health care, while helpful, is not enough to solve the deeper issue. We need a shift in how young people experience challenge, responsibility, and their place in the world.