McCreary Centre Society

 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  HSDA 9 “I am happy to see a survey like this one. It’s about time questions were being asked. Now I am hoping to see some positive actions.” BC Youth Participant

A Picture of Health

 Most students are doing well; nearly all 84% report good or excellent health  Serious injuries have declined  18% of females, 7% of males did not get mental health services they needed  Nearly half did not eat the recommended servings of fruits or vegetables yesterday

 No change in physical activity: only 1 in 4 males, 1 in 10 females exercise every day  Suicidal thoughts and suicide attempts are lower for the first time since 1992  More than 1 in 5 females, 1 in 10 males reported deliberate self-harm

 Far fewer youth smoke than a decade ago, and those who do started at older ages  Alcohol and marijuana use lower  Fewer students had ever used cocaine, amphetamines, or mushrooms, continuing declines since 1998  But use of some other drugs, including hallucinogens like LSD, rose

 Relationship violence is unchanged since 2003; 9% of males, 6% of females  Pregnancy rates also stable, less than 2%  Reversing trends in physical and sexual abuse, after declines since 1992  Protective factors can help even the most vulnerable youth overcome risks

Most BC teens are doing well, and report healthier behaviours than students 10 years ago

Central Vancouver Island– A Picture of Health

Ethnic or Cultural background (Youth could mark all that apply) European67% Aboriginal/First Nations14% East Asian4% Latin/South/Central American4% Australian/Pacific Islander3% South Asian3% Southeast Asian2% African2% West Asian1% Other (excluding Canadian)2% Don’t know18%

Who youth live with most of the time? (Youth could mark all that apply) Mother87% Father62% Stepfather8% Other adults related to me5% Stepmother4% Other adults not related to me 3% Do not live with any adults1%

Central Vancouver Island– A Picture of Health

 85% reported good or excellent health, consistent with results over the past decade.  11% of youth reported a debilitating health condition or disability.

 35% of students were injured seriously enough in the past year to need medical attention.

Injury Prevention  67% of youth always wore a seatbelt.  26% of students always wore a helmet while bike riding.

 15% of students did not get medical help when they felt they needed it.  Some reasons for not seeking help  Thought or hoped problem would go away (48%)  Afraid of what doctor would say or do (21%)  Parent/guardian couldn’t take me (17%)

What youth ate and drank yesterday No Yes, once Yes, twice or more Water7%22%72% Milk, cheese, yogurt10%37%53% Fruit18%42%40% Green salad or vegetables 24%49%27% Cookies, cake, donuts, chocolate bars 36%48%16% Pop/soda57%33%10% Pizza, hot dogs, potato chips, French fries 53%37%10% Hot or cold coffee or coffee-based drinks 70%21%10% Energy drinks87%9%4% At least 53% of youth fell short of the recommended daily portions of fruits and vegetables

 20% of males youth were very satisfied with their body image, compared to only 10% of females.

Central Vancouver Island – A Picture of Health

Risk Factors for Suicide Attempts:  Family or friend suicide attempts (19% vs. 3%)  Sexual abuse (21% vs. 5%)  Physical abuse (15% vs. 4%)

Central Vancouver Island– A Picture of Health

 72% of youth never had sexual intercourse (lower than provincial rate: 78%)  Most common reasons for not having sex:  Waiting to meet the right person (50%)  Not ready for sex (48%)  Among those who had sex:  Most commonly started at age 15  18% first had sex before age 14

Birth control method used last time youth had sex:  Condoms: 65%  Birth control pills: 50%  Only withdrawal: 5%  Emergency contraception: 5% 9% of sexually active students have been pregnant or caused a pregnancy

Central Vancouver Island – A Picture of Health

* Indicates that the difference between 2003 and 2008 Central Vancouver Island estimates was statistically significant

Vancouver Central Island – A Picture of Health

† Indicates that the difference between 2008 HSDA and provincial estimates was statistically significant.

† Indicates that the difference between Central Vancouver Island and provincial estimates was statistically significant.

Prescription pills8%16% ♦ Any Hallucinogens7%10% ♦ Mushrooms11%10% † Cocaine5% Inhalants3%5% Any Amphetamines3%4% Steroids1%2% Heroin1%2% ♦ Injected an illegal drug<1%2% ♦ † Difference between 2008 Central Vancouver Island and provincial estimates was statistically significant. ♦ Central Vancouver Island difference between 2003 and 2008 estimates was statistically significant.

Central Vancouver Island – A Picture of Health

Note: The gender difference was not statistically significant for physical abuse.

Central Vancouver Island– A Picture of Health

 62% of students liked school “somewhat”  Females more likely than males to like school “very much” (24% vs. 14%)  Grade 7’s showed highest school connectedness vs. later grades

Central Vancouver Island– A Picture of Health

Central Vancouver Island – A Picture of Health

 Having protective factors in their lives can promote health and reduce the negative effect of some risk behaviours.  Protective factors in AHS  School (e.g., school connectedness)  Family (e.g., family connectedness)  Community  Connected to culture/ethnic group  Youth engagement in activities  Peer prosocial attitudes about risky behaviours  Friends would disapprove of teen getting pregnant, getting drunk, beating someone up, etc.

Central Vancouver Island – A Picture of Health

 85% of youth in this area reported that their health was good or excellent.  The percentage of youth (76%) who rode a bicycle in the past year was above the provincial rate  Youth who wore a seat belt when riding in a motor vehicle also rose

 Thirty-five percent of students were injured seriously enough to need medical attention  The percentage of youth who seriously considered suicide in the past year was higher in this area compared to the province  Youth were in this area were more likely to have tired smoking, alcohol, or marijuana than across the province overall, but they are waiting longer to start smoking than in 2003.

 Majority of youth have never had sexual intercourse (72%)  Percentage of students who reported physical abuse has risen to 18%

◆ Percentage of youth who experienced racial discrimination (9%) was below the 2008 provincial rate ◆ 49% of students worked at a paid job during the school year ◆ Compared to 2003, more youth were likely to say their friends would be upset with them if they got arrested or used marijuana

A Picture of Health

 14 reports at HSDA level  Additional in-depth reports (eg substance use)  Fact sheets on key topics  ‘Next Steps’ youth workshops and other resources for youth

McCreary Centre Society 3552 East Hastings Street Vancouver V5K 2A