Blog post: NEETs need strengths and supports to be mentally well

The R-NEET project has a blog that will run for the duration of the project funding. In this blog Prof Linda Theron (PI) reflects on World Mental Health Day 2024, which raised concerns about the mental well-being of young people who are not in education, employment, or training (NEET). In countries like Nigeria and South Africa, at least one in three young people are NEET, which can increase the risk of depression. Despite the challenges of "just sitting", many NEETs show resilience, supported by family, friends, and opportunities to stay busy in positive ways. The R-NEET study seeks to understand how these young people stay mentally healthy, focusing on both personal strengths and the support networks around them. This calls for more attention to the mental health of NEET individuals, not just those in the workforce.