The Rescue That Captured the World—and the Lesson We Almost Missed

For 17 days in July 2018, the world was transfixed as 12 boys and their coach remained trapped deep inside a flooded cave in Thailand. It took nine days of frantic searching just to locate them, and another eight days to bring them safely out. More than 10,000 people took part in the rescue—volunteers, divers, engineers, doctors, soldiers—offering every resource imaginable in a massive, global effort to save their lives.

No one knew anything about these boys—not their names, their backgrounds, their grades, or their accomplishments. No one paused to ask about their religion, political views, family situations, or even their sexual orientation. None of that mattered. What mattered was simple and profound: they were human lives with infinite potential, and therefore worth every sacrifice.

What would it look like if we felt that same concern for all people—especially our youth?

Research shows that today’s young people are America’s loneliest generation, with 35% reporting that they have no one to turn to when they feel stressed. Yet the same research also shows something hopeful: youth flourish when they have five or more trusted adults in their lives. These are adults who listen without judgment, who provide safety and support, who help them imagine a hopeful future, and who walk with them through whatever they’re facing.

Whether we are parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, teachers, youth leaders, neighbors, coaches, or counselors, each of us has the chance—and the responsibility—to become one of those trusted adults for the youth around us. Judgment destroys trust, but sharing your experience, offering steady kindness, and simply showing up can build the kind of trust that helps a young person thrive.