By Misimi Sanni, Halton Youth Leader
As a recent high school graduate, I have spent a lot of time reflecting on my high school experience and those of my peers. What connections did I form? Did I feel like I belonged? Do I feel I have grown? Hearing about the release of the youth mental health survey, a collaboration between Our Kids Network, Halton Region Public Health, Halton Catholic District School Board, and Halton District School Board, I was eager to see how other students felt.
Serving as the Chair of the Oakville Youth Action Committee, volunteering with youth, and being part of my school’s Student Council have fueled my passion for youth well-being. Learning about the well-being, social connections, and safety of grade seven and grade ten students was especially interesting. These students represent demographics who have been settled in their elementary school or high school environment for a few years and still have a few years left to go. These years are crucial for developing a sense of self, making it important to identify any concerning trends in student mental health, well-being, or related factors. Here are some of my thoughts on the recent survey.
It was encouraging to see the findings on community and social connectedness, with the majority of students reporting positive peer support, inclusive feelings, and having a strong sense of community belonging. These results, coupled with the fact that most students feel safe at school, show that the connections among youth are stronger than ever. Considering that we have only been in a post-COVID world for about two years, I am especially glad to see the development of these relationships.
Meanwhile, the findings on well-being and screen-time were more disheartening, especially when comparing trends between grade seven and grade ten. Grade ten students consistently reported poorer mental health, emotional well-being, daily satisfaction, and self-esteem compared to grade seven students. The decline might be because older students care more about their peers’ opinions, or due to high school work being harder, more time-consuming, and more stressful. Regardless of the cause, this is a worrying trend that demonstrates the need for increased support for students as they enter high school.
Similar findings were observed when comparing the sleep and screen-time of grade seven and grade ten students. Grade ten students spent more time on their devices and less time sleeping than grade seven students. Despite this, almost three-quarters of grade seven students were still spending more time on devices and less time sleeping than what is recommended by the Canadian 24-Hour Movement Guidelines. While I don’t find this statistic shocking, it is still disheartening, as it is extremely unhealthy for their development and likely contributes to the poor well-being previously discussed.
The findings of this report indicate that while youth relationships are thriving, more support is needed to address their poor wellbeing and screen-time habits, especially as they enter high school. This support can come from schools through teachers, with the help of parents, or by raising awareness and providing resources for these students. It is also important for those who work with young people to check in on them regularly and show that they are always there if help is needed.
For more information:
Download the survey report
Visit our survey findings landing page
Additional resources:
One Call, All Access for Child & Youth Mental Health
Kids Help Phone
Pflag Halton
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