Thompson Cariboo Shuswap Results of the 2013 BC Adolescent Health Survey

BC Adolescent Health Survey: Thompson Cariboo Shuswap Results ▪Background ▪Positive findings and trends ▪Areas of concern ▪Protective factors ▪Using the data

Administration 2013 BC Adolescent Health Survey ▪29,832 surveys were completed ▪1,645 classrooms ▪56 school districts ▪325 PHN’s and nursing students Participation in Thompson Cariboo Shuswap

Youth in Thompson Cariboo Shuswap ▪69% of students reported European heritage ▪19% of students identified as Aboriginal ▪17% did not know their background ▪Less likely to identify as completely straight

Home life ▪94% of students lived with at least one parent ▪4% had lived in foster care ▪23% moved from one home to another ▪Females more likely to have run away

Young carers

Health conditions and disabilities ▪31% of students had at least one health condition or disability ▪Females were 3x more likely than males to report a mental health condition ▪For many the condition was debilitating

Working The percentage should be interpreted with caution as the standard error was higher than expected but still within a releasable range. Note: The difference between ages 16 or 17 and 18 or older was not statistically significant.

Technology ▪91% students had a cellphone ▪Cellphone use was linked to: –More supportive adults in family –More supportive adults outside their family –Asking a friend or family member for help if needed ▪Students without a phone

Transportation

Positive Findings and Trends

Most youth had seen a dentist in the past year 9% of students missed out on needed medical care

Serious injuries ▪Decrease in serious injuries ▪Most injuries occurred while training for sports ▪3% of injuries occurred while students were distracted by their cellphone

Nutrition ▪Most youth ate fruit and vegetables ▪Less likely to have fast food, pop/soda, or energy drinks ▪Less likely to go to bed hungry

More youth ate breakfast

Risky sexual behaviour decreased 27% had ever had sexual intercourse Among those:  36% first had sex at age 14 or younger  Fewer students have had an STI  Fewer females used drugs or alcohol last time they had sex

Fewer youth tried tobacco 27% had ever tried smoking. Among those: ▪Youth waited longer to try smoking ▪Males more likely to use chewing tobacco ▪49% were recent smokers Fewer youth were often exposed to second hand smoke

Fewer youth tried alcohol 55% had ever tried alcohol Among those: ▪Youth waited longer to try alcohol ▪Fewer youth reported having five or more drinks in a short period of time ▪A quarter of youth drank last Saturday

Fewer youth tried marijuana 32% had ever tried marijuana Among those: ▪Youth waited longer to try marijuana ▪59% used marijuana in the past month ▪Fewer youth mixed alcohol and marijuana ▪Most commonly got marijuana from a youth outside their family (82%)

Decreases in substance use Note: The difference between 2003 and 2008 in youth who had tried alcohol was not statistically significant.

Using other substances 2013 Change since 2008 Prescription pills without a doctor’s consent 12% Mushrooms8% Ecstasy 6% Hallucinogens6% Cocaine3% Inhalants 3% Amphetamines2% Crystal Meth 1% Heroin1% Steroids without a doctor’s consent1%

Injury prevention improvements

School safety increased

Friends with pro-social attitudes Note: NA means that the question was not asked. Students whose friends would be upset with them if they Change since 2008 Dropped out of school86%89% Were involved in gang activityNA86% Got pregnant or got someone pregnant71%80% Got arrested63%77% Beat someone up46%65% Used marijuana--54% Got drunk26%35% -- The percentages in 2008 and 2013 were comparable.

Areas of ConcernAreas of Concern

Concussions 1 in 5 youth experienced a concussion in past year Note: Youth could choose more than one response.

Ratings of mental health

Suicide Males ▪8% considered suicide ▪3% attempted suicide Females ▪17% considered suicide ▪9% attempted suicide

Other mental health concerns Most commonly reported conditions MalesFemales Depression 6%16% Anxiety Disorder/ Panic Attacks 4%15% Attention Deficit/ Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) 10%6%

Foregone mental health care ▪5% of males and 16% of females did not access needed mental health services ▪Most common reasons: ▪Not wanting parents to know ▪Thinking or hoping problem would go away ▪Being afraid of what they would be told

Getting enough sleep Note: Percentages do not equal 100% due to rounding.

Mental health and sleep * The percentage should be interpreted with caution as the standard error was relatively high but still within a releasable range.

Bullying ▪Decrease in physical assault for males not seen in other forms of bullying ▪Females more likely to be teased or socially excluded ▪17% were cyberbullied in past year

Perpetrators of bullying * The percentage should be interpreted with caution as the standard error was higher than expected but still within a releasable range.

Discrimination & violence ▪Increases in females being discriminated against due to their: ▪Physical appearance ▪Sexual orientation ▪No improvement in females experiencing racial discrimination

Abuse & Harassment

Overweight and obesity rates Note: The difference between males and females who were underweight was not statistically significant.

Exercise participation ▪20% of students aged met the daily activity recommendations ▪More older youth (aged 18 or 19) reached their guidelines ▪Weekly participation in informal & organized sports decreased

Barriers to participation BarrierMalesFemales Too busy35%47% Activity wasn’t available in community 16%19% Couldn’t get there or home15%21% Couldn’t afford to11%20% Worried about being bullied4%9% Note: The difference between males and females who did not participate because the activity wasn’t available in their community was not statistically significant.

Protective FactorsProtective Factors

Established Protective Factors School connectedness Positive family relationships Caring adults outside the family Someone to turn to for help

Established Protective Factors Peer relationships Good nutrition Feeling engaged and valued Stable home

Protective Factors Nine or more hours of sleep Neighbourhood safety Community connectedness Cultural connectedness

Youth are generally making less risky choices about their health Mental health and bullying for females are among the areas where there have been fewer improvements Promoting protective factors have and can continue to play a key role in improving outcomes for Thompson Cariboo Shuswap youth

56 school district data tables 16 HSDA reports Growing Up in BC Sexual health report Youth resources Using the Data

Next Steps ▪Youth-led projects or initiatives In Our Shoes ▪Bullying awareness video ▪

Grants up to $500 for youth-led projects

Discussing the results ▪Commentary on the AHS findings from: –Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond, Representative for Children and Youth –Bob Lenarduzzi, President, Vancouver Whitecaps. –And more! ▪Video on McCreary’s YouTube channelVideo on McCreary’s YouTube channel

Thompson Cariboo Shuswap Results of the 2013 BC Adolescent Health Survey