Saskatchewan-Led Parternship Improving Youth Health and Well-Being
MEDIA RELEASE – [Saskatchewan] How well are the youth in the province really? The Saskatchewan Alliance for Youth and Community Well-being (SAYCW) is aiming to find out how grade 7 to 12 students are doing, through a youth survey currently being conducted in schools across the province.
“Everyone plays a role in positively impacting the health and well-being of youth. This will mean something different in each school community. Through this survey we will gather information specific to each school community that will assist schools and communities in reducing some of the risk factors youth face daily,” says Rob Currie, Director of Education, Regina Catholic School Division, and SAYCW Co-chair. “The results will be shared with participating schools and school divisions by way of reports describing trends and health behaviours of their students.” No identifiable information about students will be shared.
The survey focuses on a variety of topics and health factors: general and dental health, sun and UV exposure, food, physical activity, screen time, sleep, substance abuse, school engagement and support, feelings, safety, suicide and self-harm, and sexual health.
“Using the survey results, we will work together with schools and divisions as well as communities to deliver programs and policies that can help improve youth health and well-being,” says Dr. Jon Tonita, Vice President of Population Health, Quality and Research, Saskatchewan Cancer Agency, and SAYCW Co-chair. “With ongoing monitoring we can target specific issues in school communities and determine where we need to focus our attention.”
The 30-minute comprehensive survey is rolling out to Saskatchewan schools March through May 2015 and has already begun in the Living Sky, Holy Trinity, Good Spirit and Prairie South school divisions.
