More than 300 cases involving students have been reported to the Substance Abuse Advisory Council so far this year, mostly involving bullying, disrespectful behaviour and other behavioural issues.
Speaking to about 2,000 women during the Methodist Women’s Conference at the World Harvest Centre, Director of the Substance Abuse Advisory Council Josua Naisele says students are facing growing social challenges, including bullying, peer pressure, social media, violence and, in some cases, drug use.
He is urging parents to better understand what their children are going through before judging them.
Naisele says there have also been a few cases they received involved drugs and cyberbullying.
He says many behavioural issues among students can be linked to peer pressure, curiosity, social media and the environments in which children grow up.
Naisele says peer pressure remains a major challenge, as some children may be influenced by friends who introduce them to behaviour that are not encouraged at home.
He says some students may also turn to drugs as a way of coping with problems, while curiosity can lead young people to experiment with smoking and other harmful behaviour.
Naisele says children can also be influenced by what they see around them, including violence and drug use in their homes and communities.
He says social media and access to the internet have added another challenge, with young people being exposed to content that may not be suitable for them.
Naisele is urging parents to build stronger connections with their children through communication, understanding and positive support.
He says simply living under the same roof does not necessarily mean parents and children are connected.
Naisele says parents should create a home environment where children feel respected and supported and are comfortable enough to talk about the problems they are facing.
He is also urging parents not to immediately judge their children when they open up about their problems, as this can affect them emotionally and make it more difficult for them to seek help.
Naisele says students should not be afraid to seek counselling, stressing that counselling is about supporting them rather than judging them.
He says counsellors listen to students and guide them towards the support they need, while cases involving drugs, cyberbullying and other serious matters are referred to the relevant authorities.
Naisele says the Methodist Women’s Conference is an important platform, as the women will return to their churches, villages and communities across Fiji and Rotuma with the knowledge shared during the conference.
He says the women were encouraged to first apply what they have learned in their own lives and families before sharing the message with others.
Naisele says stronger communication, awareness and understanding within families can help provide students with the support they need to deal with the challenges they face in their daily lives.
