Youth in Adversity and Family Services

Background

The original Missing Children Information Center, jointly operated by CWLF and the government, concluded in December 2022 due to changing social circumstances. However, we maintain a humble approach in serving long-missing cases and runaway children. Through integrated services that support families, we provide emotional care for parents whose children are missing. We aim to reduce the risk that runaway children face and help stabilize their lives.

As we transition and expand our services, we changed the Division name from "Missing Persons Finding Services Division" to "Youth and Family Services Division." Our goal is to offer this service to youth aged 13 and older who are experiencing issues such as drug use, running away, deviant behavior, and legal issues, along with their families in Taichung City. This service will provide a comprehensive support system.

What We Do

Providing support to long-missing youth through phone outreach. Offering counseling services to runaway youth and their families at CWLF. Delivering support services to youth facing adversity and their families in Taichung City

Who We Serve

• Parents whose children are long missing
• Runaway youth and their families
• Family support services to youth facing adversity and their families in Taichung City
  • Youth who are under the influence of drug use and their families
  • Youth who are exhibiting deviant behavior and their families
  • Runaway youth who are missing and their families
  • Youth and their families who are facing juvenile justice issues

Youth Mental Health Service

Background

“Life and school can be filled with worries and troubles. Peer relationships are often stressful, and it feels like parents just don't understand — it's incredibly frustrating!”

“My mind feels chaotic, and my thoughts are all tangled. I struggle to express the pain I feel in my heart. Who truly understands the frustration I’m experiencing?”

In October 2023, CWLF opened the Family Empowerment Division in Taichung, followed by another division in Hsinchu in November. They’re kicking off “Youth Mental Health Service” to help adolescents who are struggling with emotional distress or might be dealing with physical and mental health issues, along with their family members.

Supporting Adolescents Who are Struggling with Psychological and Emotional Distress

In February 2023, CWLF used the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21 to survey junior high and high school students aged 12 to 17 across Taiwan. The results revealed that more than 10% experienced severe stress or worse. The stress index among high school students (16.0%) was nearly double that of junior high school students (8.2%). According to a 2021 statistical report published by the Ministry of Health and Welfare, suicide has become the second leading cause of death among 15- to 24-year-olds, underscoring the growing prevalence of emotional distress and mental health issues is growing among adolescents. Addressing Adolescent mental health has therefore become an urgent priority.

At the same time, social workers consulted with junior high and high school counseling centers and found that many adolescents were experiencing psychological and emotional distress. They reported symptoms such as anxiety, panic, depression, and impulsive emotions triggered by external pressures, with some even engaging in self-harm or harboring suicidal thoughts. These stresses are most often linked to academic or career challenges, peer relationship difficulties, and family conflicts.

Social workers integrate the Strengths Perspective, resilience and mindfulness into their services. They conduct monthly home and school visits, as well as outreach activities, to proactively support adolescents and their co-resident family members. Their work helps adolescents and parents better understand physical and mental health issues and service needs, while also learning positive coping strategies that strengthen family support capacity and foster closer relationships. In addition, social workers collaborate with professional networks to address adolescents’ physical and mental health challenges, enhance their self-efficacy, and ensure that both adolescents and their parents receive appropriate support.

Building the Capacity to Recognize and Manage Emotional Distress

During the promotion of this service, we and the social workers have consistently stressed one key message: “Experiencing emotional distress or difficulties is a natural part of life, and it is perfectly normal to seek medical help or take medication when needed.” Through social work services, we encourage adolescents and their families to view emotions with greater objectivity, understanding that emotional challenges are as common and, manageable as seeking medical help when catching a cold. We hope more people will adopt a neutral and accepting attitude toward their and others' emotional distress, without hiding it or feeling ashamed. Above all, it is essential for individuals experiencing emotional distress to first acknowledge and accept themselves.

Through the initiative “early intervention and prevention for the future,” we hope our Youth Mental Health service can support adolescents experiencing emotional distress or mental health challenges at earliest stage. Such interventions aim to prevent problems from escalating during adolescence and from developing into more severe conditions in adulthood.

What We Do

• We keep adolescents accompany to help them learn to manage and regulate their emotions
• We provide health education on mental and physical health issues and diseases, and accompany patients to medical appointments
• We provide families with information on mental health resources
• We assist parents in enhancing their knowledge and skills related to parenting and caregiving
• We assist adolescents in exploring education, employment, emotional health, family dynamics, and career development
• We link adolescents and families to the social resources they require

Who We Serve 

Students who are either currently enrolled or not enrolled in school, as well as adolescents who are unemployed or employed (excluding those diagnosed with intellectual disabilities), may be experiencing emotional distress or potential physical or mental health issues. This applies to individuals above the first grade of junior high school and under the age of 19. Issues may include anxiety, panic, depression, impulsive emotions, or self-harming behaviors. Family members of these adolescents are also eligible to access the service.

⬛ Read more:
CWLF Survey: Academic Pressure & Social Media Harm Taiwanese Junior High Students' Mental Health