Survey Indicates Worsening Youth Mental Health

A new survey by the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health indicates worsening mental health among Ontario youth.

Data collected from 235 schools across Ontario between November 2022 and June 2023 shows that 19 per cent of surveyed students engaged in self-harm and 18 per cent had serious thoughts about suicide in the previous year. More than 10,000 students in grades 7 to 12 participated in the survey.

The latest survey did show some positive developments, highlighting a “significant decline” in youth drug use over several decades and a steady decline in alcohol use over the past 25 years. Seventeen per cent of students reported using cannabis in the past year, a number that has decreased since 2019, according to data that also showed a decline in vaping. However, for the first time, female students are using cannabis, vaping and drinking more than male students.

The vast majority of surveyed students said they use social media daily and 78 per cent reported spending three hours or more per day in front of a screen.

“Social media is filtering down into younger and younger kiddos and we’re seeing a lot of cyber bullying through Tik Tok and Snapchat and Instagram,” says Colleen McLean, a registered social worker and owner of Sound Youth Counselling in Parry Sound. “It’s horrific and it’s so disheartening. I think that’s a potential stressor for sure.”

At this time of the year, young people could be experiencing anxiety about heading back to school. The heightened stress can manifest physically, emotionally, and behaviourally in your child. Sudden and unexpected shifts in habits can be a key indicator that your child is experiencing stress and anxiety.

Sleep disruptions including trouble getting to sleep or staying asleep or suddenly wanting to sleep with parents

Physical symptoms like a frequent upset stomach and headaches

A change in diet including not eating favourite foods or not wanting to eat

Not wanting to go out with friends and preferring to stay home

Withdrawing from family relationships and activities

Not wanting to go to school and a drop in grades

Changes in social groups

Here in rural Ontario, simple geography can make maintaining close friendships with other kids difficult. Fostering social interaction with peer groups is important, so make an extra effort to connect with neighbors who have kids. Connecting with friends in person is crucial to your child’s social and emotional development. Knowing their friends may also help you narrow down the root cause of the child’s anxiety.

Keep an open line of communication by asking questions in a conversational way. Ask how their friends are feeling about going back to school or what the vibe in their class is like as the new school year gets underway. Once your child is feeling comfortable with the conversation start asking about their experience and feelings.

Parents aren’t expected to know everything. If your child is exhibiting severe anxiety about school don’t hesitate to turn to a teacher or principal for help. Get to know what supports are available at the school such as guidance counsellors or social workers and look for resources outside of the school like drop-in centers.

Kids Help Phone also has a list of tips that can help minimize stress as kids head back to school.

Prepare early: write a list and prepare your back-to-school essentials at the start of the summer instead of the end to avoid the rush.
Refresh your memory: try to practice the things you learned last year while you’re on summer vacation. Reading, writing and applying your math skills can be fun and rewarding.
Sleep smart: in the weeks leading up to your first day, try going to bed earlier each night — and getting up earlier each morning — to help your body adjust to a new schedule.
Visit your school: many schools are open the week before school starts. You can always contact your school, book an appointment, tour the halls and meet your teachers if you need to.
Know the route: no matter what method of transportation you use to get to school, it’s a good idea to test out the route so you know exactly how to get to class and how long it will take.
Prep your meals: if you bring a lunch to school, consider taking some time to pack it the night before instead of in the morning.
Organize your closet: figure out what you’re going to wear on the first day in advance so you’re not stressed about finding something to put on when you wake up in the morning.
Pack your bags: if you’re taking a backpack to school, fill it with whatever school supplies you have (pens, pencils, notebook, agenda, etc.) well before your first day so you’re ready to get up and go.

Last May, 705BLACKFLY.COM was commissioned to produce a video for the Youth Mental Health Symposium in Parry Sound. The video takes an in-depth look at the challenges that young people face today. You can watch it here.

Kids Help Phone

Get Support

Phone: 1-800-668-6868

Text CONNECT to 686868

If you identify as Indigenous, ask to be connected with a First Nations, Inuk or Métis crisis responder by messaging FIRST NATIONS, INUIT, or METIS to 686868 or through Facebook Messenger.

Sound Youth Counselling – soundyouthcounselling.ca