2023 Halton Mental Health Survey: Overview of Youth Engagement Sessions
Our Kids Network conducted two youth engagement sessions focused on the findings of the 2023 Halton Youth Mental Health Survey. The first session was in collaboration with Milton Public Library and took place on October 30th, 2025. The second session was in collaboration with Milton Recreation and took place on February 3rd, 2025.
Objectives of youth engagement
- Develop a deeper understanding of the data to inform information sharing on the youth mental health report with OKN community partners.
- Provide a space for youth to reflect on and share their thoughts on mental health data.
Youth Engagement Session with Milton Public Library
Youth engagement was organized around a data walk activity. A data walk uses large posters to showcase data visualizations of survey findings. The purpose of a data walk is shared sense making around the data. During the data walk the posters were set up at stations around the room. Participants traveled from station to station and used reflection questions to help uncover their insights on how the data related to them. For a full overview of the reflection questions, please see Appendix A.
The Milton Public Library data walk was facilitated in partnership with a group of youth volunteers who were recruited by Our Kids Network. Volunteers were provided with training in public speaking and group facilitation and received volunteer hours for their time.
The OKN team created five data walk posters, which were professionally designed and printed. The data walk included the following key indicators from the mental health survey: self-rated mental health, emotional wellbeing, recreational screen time, social media use, resiliency, self-esteem, sleep, community belonging, and inclusion. The posters displayed the percentages for the grade seven and ten cohorts of survey participants and showed differences in the survey outcomes across the two grades. (See Appendix B for the posters)
Information about the event was shared through OKN’s and MPL’s networks. Youth were also asked to promote the event to their peers. A registration page was available on the OKN website. Youth facilitators explained the data to the participants, and engaged their peers in a series of reflection questions.
Youth Engagement Session with Milton Recreation
As with the youth engagement session with Milton Public Library, the session with Milton Recreation used a data walk format. Milton Recreation hosted the event as part of its regularly scheduled youth engagement group activities.
The structure of the event was a short presentation introducing the survey, followed by a data walk. Youth explored the data walk panels in small groups and worked together through the reflection questions. OKN staff and adult allies at the event supported the youth and answered their questions.
After youth had the opportunity to explore all five of the posters, they were brought back into a large group for a facilitated discussion. Youth explored the following discussion questions:
- According to the Canadian Mental Health Association, good mental health includes having a strong sense of purpose, strong relationships, feeling connected to others, having a good sense of self, coping with stress and enjoying life.
- Do you think this definition of mental health is complete?
- Is anything missing?
- Is any one aspect of mental health more important than the others?
- For many of the survey indicators, grade 7 students are faring better than grade 10 students. What are the factors that influence this change in mental health from elementary to high school?
- What do you think are the most important actions that adult allies such as teachers, family members, coaches, mentors and other adults can take to support youth mental health and well-being?
The first question was an ice breaker to help youth feel comfortable having a discussion on the topic of mental health in a large group setting. Questions two and three were intended to generate feedback to help interpret the findings from the youth mental health survey and identify potential strategies to address mental health that could be shared back to Our Kids Network partner organizations.
Findings from the Youth Engagement Sessions
Factors that influence the change in mental health from elementary to high school.
Youth described several factors that could account for changes in youth mental health from grade seven to ten. A number of participants described increasing academic demands and time pressures that contribute to stress, such as there being higher expectations in high school and extra assignments. Additionally, students described the high importance placed on extracurricular activities, and the pressure of getting into competitive universities. These demands created substantial time pressures for young people, which contributed to stress, and lessened opportunities for self-care.
Other important factors that youth described included changes to friend groups where youth do not feel as connected to a community of friends in high school. Additionally, youth described the role of social media on mental health, including stressors such as unrealistic beauty standards that are portrayed online, coping with fake news and misinformation, and lack of sleep.
The role of adult allies in supporting youth mental health
Participants discussed the importance of having opportunities to develop time-management and life skills, such as managing stress. Participants thought that these opportunities should be embedded more intentionally into the school day, for example by having lessons devoted to these topics, and having focus time where students can catch up on their work. Additionally, participants emphasized that adults should take a supportive approach to youth, describing how the “sink or swim” attitude of some adults promotes stress and decreases trust.
Conclusion
The youth engagement sessions led by Our Kids Network on the 2023 Halton Youth Mental Survey provided important opportunities for youth to learn about the data and reflect on mental health. One youth who participated in the sessions contributed a blog article to OKN, highlighting her own reflections on mental health and wellbeing. The youth engagement sessions showed that youth have a strong awareness of their mental health, and knowledge of strategies they can use to take care of their wellbeing.
Resources:
Appendix A: Data Walk Reflection Questions
Appendix B: Data Walk Posters
Youth Engagement on Mental Health and Well-being
Adult Ally Perspective on Supporting Youth Mental Health
Councillor Khalqi’s Perspective on Supporting Youth Mental Health Part 1
Councillor Khalqi’s Perspective on Supporting Youth Mental Health Part 2
Councillor Khalqi’s Perspective on Supporting Youth Mental Health Part 3
Insights Into Youth Mental Health and Well-being in Halton
