Promoting positive mental health among BC youth

 Administration took place in Grade 7-12 classes in 50 of the 59 BC School Districts.  Over surveys were collected in 1,760 classrooms between February and June “In closing, I would like to say that I am a healthy, fit person and I am happy with who I am!” BC Youth Participant

Making the Right Connections

“I am comfortable and proud of who I am and definitely don’t want to change anything or anyone”

“They think it is a teenage thing, they don’t realise it is serious”

“Mental health is happiness and self esteem. So having good mental health you choose things that are healthy”

“There are counsellors but you can’t really get hold of them. They are too busy.”

Making the Right Connections

“Even though I have been physically abused, I have gotten help from the police.”

“I don’t want to have to be responsible.”

“It’s 2010 people, c’mon.”

Health of youth with a disability or chronic health condition Good/excellent health Ever self- harmed Considered suicide in the past year Attempted suicide in the past year No health condition/disability 86%15%10%4% Any health condition/disability 67%35%27%16% Specific mental or emotional condition (e.g., depression, eating disorder) 54%58%52%33%

Making the Right Connections

Making the Right Connections

Who youth asked for help (among youth with a mental or emotional health condition) Asked for help Was helpful (among those who asked for help) Friend84%81% Teacher45%59% School counsellor47%63% Other school staff28%36% Youth worker31%51% Doctor or nurse44%60% Religious leader23%45% Social worker24%40%

“[What’s important is] knowing you have a place to go if you need help – parents, friends or counsellors.”

“I am healthy and I love volunteering because I feel proud to give back anything towards the community.”

“[Outdoor activity] programs provide opportunities to build friendship, get exercise and have fun where no one will be judged for what they can do.”

Making the Right Connections

Making the Right Connections

 Most youth in BC reported positive mental health and fewer youth are considering and attempting suicide than in  Some youth face obstacles to achieving positive mental health.  Over half (56%) of youth with a mental or emotional health condition had not accessed mental health services that they needed.

 Supportive peer and adult relationships are linked to positive health outcomes for even the most vulnerable youth.  Youth who could identify having skills or competencies were more likely to report positive mental health  Different skills played a role for different youth

 Family and school connectedness were the protective factors most consistently associated with positive mental health.  Feeling engaged and valued within extracurricular activities was also protective.  Youth’s responses to the data consistently included the need to access supportive adults and peer mentors, as well as opportunities to engage in activities that promoted their physical health.

“We need programs that give youth a positive caring adult in their lives, while also allowing them to express their talents and thoughts about their communities.”

“The only thing you want out of life is a sense of belonging. Whether through interactions with peers, involvement in sports, or volunteering in the community, the key to healthy, happy youth is giving them opportunities to feel engaged and useful, and helping them feel that what they are doing is important.”

 Presentations of findings  Summary profiles  Youth fact sheet  ‘Next Steps’ workshops – taking results back to youth

These and other fact sheets are available for download at our website: A series of 8 fact sheets accompany the report, Making the right connections. Summary profiles are available for: Youth living in poverty Lesbian, gay and bisexual youth Youth who had been sexually abused Youth with an unstable home life Youth who had been physically abused Immigrant youth Youth with a health condition or disability Youth who had been teased or harassed

A by-youth for-youth fact sheet summarizing the results of the report was created by Lucy Shen, a member of McCreary’s Youth Advisory Council. This and other by-youth for-youth fact sheets are also available for download on our website:

All reports available at: