Stuff YOU Should Know
Youth Recognized
August 12 is International Youth Day, as designated by the United Nations (Resolution 54/120). Established in 1999, this day of awareness exists because its creators believe that young people are “essential partners in change in a growing global society.” Each year has a different theme. Last year it was “Youth Migration: Moving Forward.” This year, the focus will be on “Youth and Mental Health.” Organizers encourage communities all over the world to engage in programming and discussions that center around better understanding the unique needs facing today’s young people. The focus on mental health will raise awareness of the risks and challenges associated with those who suffer from mental illness and those who advocate for them.
Photo Credit: Robert Churchill/Getty Images
The Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) launched a campaign called #MentalHealthMatters. They are particularly concerned with combating the social stigma of mental illness that often keeps those who need it most from seeking out help. There put out a call for young people to submit stories, photos and videos that depict the positive impact of speaking out about mental health issues. Selected entries will be included in a collected art piece to be presented at the United Nations headquarters on International Youth Day, August 12.
What Do You Think? Check out the #MentalHealthMatters campaign. Do you have a story, poem, picture or video idea that is relevant to this campaign. Share it on social media in honor of International Youth Day.
U.S. Job Market
The United States Department of Labor Statistics issues a monthly report called the Jobs Report. It gives an overall indication of the state of the economy. In July, the U.S. added 209,000 jobs. This is down from 2980,000 in June (although this was a reported high number). Professional and business services, including architectural and engineering, added the most jobs with 47,000. This was followed by manufacturing at 28,000 and retail trade with 27,000. Unemployment went up by a tenth of a percent
The general consensus of economists is that the United States’ job market is still in “recovery,” growing at a steady pace, having added a total of 1.5 million jobs since the beginning of the year. This is the strongest growth since 2006. Still, the report is considered “less robust” than trend-watchers had expected. The numbers are expected to be scrutinized more closely as mid-term elections approach and politicians are likely to be (as always) questioned on the best way to continue building the economy.
Dig Deeper Do you know anyone who is looking for a job? Ask them about their efforts and the types of jobs they are seeking. Look up the latest Jobs Report and find out the outlook on that industry.
Ebola Outbreak
West Africa is currently experiencing the most severe outbreak of the Ebola virus on record. It began in March in the country of Guinea, and has since spread to Liberia and Sierra Leone. In addition, three countries–Nigeria, Morocco, and the United States–each have at least one reported case. Ebola is a highly contagious viral illness. Its initial infection comes through contact with infected animals (notably fruit bats, chimpanzees, and a certain breed of antelope. The virus is then spread, human-to-human, through bodily fluids and often through contact with environments already contaminated. Symptoms include fever, body aches, and diarrhea.
The World Health Organization (WHO), an agency sponsored by the United Nations, is currently leading the relief efforts. On July 31, the WHO announced a $100 million response plan to combat the epidemic and control the spread of the deadly disease. The plan includes the deployment of hundreds of aid workers. The WHO has also advised against consuming raw bushmeat (the fruit bat is considered a delicacy in Liberia). There are currently no vaccines against the virus. Many schools are temporarily closed as a protective measure.
Dig Deeper There are two Americans, both aid workers who were working in Liberia, who have contracted Ebola. Follow the story of their transport back to the United States, treatment and recovery, as well as the efforts to control more outbreaks in West Africa.
Summer Movie Recap
The big movie studios focused a lot of their attention (and their mega budgets) on packing air-conditioned multiplexes all over the country. As you and your friend look toward the start of a new school year, btw looks back over the summer months to see how the studios fared with their splashy summer movie offerings. While there were some good comedies (Tammy), a few stand-out independent films (Wish I Was Here), and the occasional sweeping drama (Hundred Foot Journey), summer was once again dominated by the following genres:
- Action – Tom Cruise has become an action staple and Edge of Tomorrow offered up new spin: a Groundhog’s Day-esque alien invasion in which Cruise’s character must relive the invasion again and again, hoping to find a way to stop it from happening. Lucy stars Scarlett Johansson in the title role, as a woman accidentally infected with a drug that enhances her abilities. She uses her growing mental powers to take revenge upon the criminals who caused the infection.
- Superheroes – While technically a subgenre of the action flick, there are enough movies this season featuring superheroes to give them their own category. The biggest titles this summer include Transformers: Age of Extinction, X-Men: Days of Future Past; The Amazing Spider Man 2; and Captain America: The Winter Soldier. The most recent franchise to wow filmgoers and earn millions is Marvel Studio’s most recent comic-book based offering Guardians of the Galaxy, with Bradley Cooper, Vin Diesel and others billed as “extraterrestrial misfits.”
- Based on Books or Characters – Fans of John Green’s very popular Young Adult weeper, The Fault in Our Stars were happy to see Shailene Woodley and Ansel Elgort inhabit plucky protagonists Hazel Grace Lancaster and Augustus Waters. Moviegoers also got to see these two again in the first installment of the sci-fi trilogy Divergent. Beloved (and feared) characters Maleficent, Godzilla, Hercules, and the guys from 21 Jump Street also made appearances on the big screen this summer.