When I was growing up, I was a handful. My mother gave me her everything, but I was a rambunctious boy who was determined to do whatever I felt was best for me at the time. Now, as a parent myself, I understand why my mother never gave up.

She was committed to my future — the best that I deserved. But she couldn’t do it alone. In fact, my village wouldn’t allow her to.

It took supportive teachers and family members to turn me around. I do not know where I would be without my cousins who took me in, my aunties who acted as second mothers, my stern grandparents, my godparents, and a mother who never gave up on me.

During my upbringing, I had a lot of neighbours who looked out for the children in the area. If I didn’t have my village, my life could have looked completely different, as I had many negative influences pulling me in the opposite direction of what my mother wanted for me.

Many of our young people feel a deep sense of loneliness, even when surrounded by friends and loved ones.

Some do not feel confident expressing their interests or truly feel like they belong somewhere. One of my best transformative experiences was participating in the Raleigh Bermuda programme.

It shifted my entire mindset and gave me a sense of belonging. I spent three months in India, and through that experience, I learnt to value myself and to make genuine connections with people. For some of our young people, opportunities such as this can make all the difference when it comes to taking the right decision when encountering that fork in the road.

We cannot underestimate how the right extracurricular activity, community club or charity can positively impact a young person. Especially with the backing of an engaged parent.

I would be remiss if I did not emphasise how some teachers made all the difference for me. Seeing that my lashing out was a cry for help and not reckless aggression, they and my mother worked together to chart a path that involved counselling and specific programmes, including The Learning Centre (now Family Centre). That made all the difference for me.

The responsibility of maintaining our education system falls primarily on the Government, but as parents, we can also do our part through PTAs to support our educators and be our children’s biggest advocates.

We must not stand in the way of our children’s consequences or reprimands, but instead reinforce behavioural boundaries and not leave the discipline solely to the teacher.

This is not a lecture because I know the responsibility of raising a child is not an easy feat, as I learn to navigate while raising my son — and the lessons he teaches me.

Often these lessons require many sacrifices, especially in this existing economic climate. I sympathise with parents who are struggling to make ends meet, who are pouring from an empty cup.

As I reflect and share with you, this is an appeal to you. We cannot continue as we are, with so many of our people being lost. I have shared a bit of my personal story to say that if we put in the time, a young person’s path can be altered.

We must rebuild the village and break down the stigma of counselling, therapy, grief counselling and attaining mental healthcare.

Prevention is much better than searching for a cure.

• Dwayne Robinson is the Shadow Minister of Tourism, Culture and Transport, and the MP for Southampton East Central (Constituency 30)