Results are in from the Planet Youth Nipissing 2024 survey of more than 700 high school students in North Bay and West Nipissing.
According to the report, 37% reported good mental health, 31% feel there are a lot of activities for youth in their communities and 45% spend three or more hours on social media a day.
It also says 17% vape daily, 16% have used cannabis in the last 30 days, while a third drank alcohol in the last month.
The North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit also says the survey results show local teens who often spend time with their parents or caregivers on the weekends are less likely to drink, vape, or use cannabis.
“Hearing directly from local students helps us to better understand what is impacting their well-being, and what factors are associated with outcomes like higher substance use,” says Alyssa Bedard, community development coordinator with the Health Unit. “We now have a responsibility to do something with this data, to use it to create environments that give youth the support and opportunities to thrive.”
Community action teams in West Nipissing and North Bay will be meeting next month to develop a plan in response to the youth input.
Students at nine area schools took part in the survey, which can be found at www.planetyouthnipissing.ca.
