A recent study by the University of Pretoria has highlighted the need for support systems for young people in South Africa who are not in employment, education, or training (NEET). According to Professor Linda Theron, the principal investigator of the study, NEET youth face significant challenges, including mental illness, poor health, poverty, and fragmented social ties. The study aims to understand the types of support that can help NEETs experience better mental health.
The study, which began in April 2025, is following a cohort of South African and Nigerian youth who have lived experience of being NEET. Using multiple methods, the study is investigating what combination of supports enables NEETs to report no or minimal symptoms of depression. The findings suggest that NEETs who have access to supportive social networks, opportunities to develop new skills, and welcoming spaces and places are more likely to experience better mental health.
The study's participants report personal strengths, such as hopefulness, self-compassion, and gratitude. However, these strengths are often accompanied by other forms of support, including caring families, supportive peers, and faith-based communities. The study's findings suggest that being NEET and not depressed is rooted in an enabling ecosystem, rather than just individual resilience.
The study's results have implications for how society approaches mental health support for NEET youth. According to Theron, society has often expected young people to be psychologically rugged, but this approach can be harmful. Instead, the study suggests that a multisystemic approach is needed, one that recognizes the importance of support systems in enabling resilience.
The study's findings are consistent with previous research on youth resilience. A systematic review of 142 studies found that personal strengths, such as grit and self-esteem, were often cited as factors that supported young adults in reporting no or limited symptoms of depression. However, the study suggests that this focus on individual strengths can be limiting and may even harm young people with high levels of vulnerability.
World Mental Health Day 2026 emphasizes the importance of respecting the expertise of people with lived experiences of hardship and related mental health challenges. The study's findings suggest that NEET youth want society to do more than just hear their stories; they want action to create the social, structural, and physical conditions that make resilience possible.
The study's results highlight the need for a shift in how society approaches mental health support for NEET youth. By recognizing the importance of support systems and enabling ecosystems, society can work towards creating a world where young people can thrive, rather than just cope. This requires a multisystemic approach that involves families, communities, policies, and institutions working together to support NEET youth.
Key points
- A recent study by the University of Pretoria highlights the need for support systems for young people in South Africa who are not in employment, education, or training (NEET).
- The study suggests that being NEET and not depressed is rooted in an enabling ecosystem, rather than just individual resilience.
- A multisystemic approach is needed to support NEET youth, one that recognizes the importance of support systems in enabling resilience.
