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Jack.org Youth Voice Report 2021-2022Jan 03, 2023 | Jack.org
The Jack.org Youth Voice Report 2021-2022 is a youth-led report that discusses the present conditions of youth mental health within Canada, including what causes mental health struggles, what barriers impact help-seeking and what solutions can improve youth in attaining optimal mental health. The recommendations outlined in the report serve as a guide for stakeholders who are working to improve the mental health of young people in Canada.
Young people identified two key determinants of poor mental health:
- The Covid-19 pandemic: 79% of youth surveyed agreed that the pandemic negatively impacted their mental well-being
- Financial Insecurity: 66% of youth surveyed worry about finding a job that will provide financial security
In addition to these key determinants, youth also identified academic stress and uncertainty about the future and barriers to service access (including long wait times and shortage of specialized services).
Next steps/recommendations:
A critical next step is to take a social determinants and whole-system perspective in understanding and tackling the economic, political, and socio-cultural factors that contribute to the youth mental health crisis.