August 21: Over half of middle and high school students in Ontario are experiencing significant psychological distress, a number that has doubled over the past decade, according to new research.
A survey of more than 10,000 students from grades 7 to 12 reveals a worrying decline in youth mental health, according to the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH). Conducted between November 2022 and June 2023 across 235 schools in Ontario, the survey found that 19% of students reported self-harm, and 18% had serious thoughts of suicide in the past year.
“The picture shows that students are really struggling,” said Hayley Hamilton, the survey lead and co-director of CAMH’s mental health policy research institute.
“Many students are dealing with mental health issues in Ontario, but they rate their ability to handle these challenges as only fair or poor.”
The survey has been conducted every two years since 1977 to measure the health and drug use of Ontario students. In this latest edition, one-third of students said they needed help from a mental health professional but never sought it. Some believed they could manage on their own, while others were worried about what people would think or simply said they were too busy.
“We know mental health among young people is worse now than it’s ever been, but seeing the numbers is still shocking,” said Alexia Polillo, a CAMH scientist studying social media use.
While most students said they use social media daily and 78% spend three or more hours a day in front of screens, Polillo said there isn’t enough evidence yet to link screen time to increased distress.
For 17-year-old Olivia Tocher, concerns like climate change, job uncertainty, and high living costs have led her to seek help for anxiety and depression at CAMH. “Our generation has grown up being told the future is scary,” said Tocher, a CAMH youth adviser. “We need a future to look forward to.”
The survey found that 18% of students are very or extremely anxious about climate change, and 45% feel depressed about the future due to the issue. “We’re capable, but we still need support,” Tocher added.
On a more positive note, the survey showed a steady decline in youth drug use over several decades and in alcohol consumption over the past 25 years. Cannabis use has also decreased, with 17% of students reporting usage in the past year. Vaping has seen a similar drop.
