Surrey: A city fit for youth

YOUTH HEALTH • YOUTH RESEARCH • YOUTH ENGAGEMENT

McCreary Centre Society

2013 BC Adolescent Health SurveyComing soon…..

39 Surrey schools

148 classrooms

2461 students

0 removed

2461 useable surveys

Questions of interest• Neighborhood safety

• Transportation

• Bullying and victimization

• Community connectedness

• School connectedness

• Peer relationships

• Youth engagement

Recognise the diversity of Surrey

Never Sometimes Most of the time

37%34%

29%

53%

29%

19%

Speaking a language other than English at home

Surrey BC

Build on high school connectedness

Low High0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

Binge drinking in past monthSuicidal ideation in past yearPoor/fair health

School Connectedness

Listen to young people’s ideas

Not at all lis-tened to

A little Somewhat Quite a bit Very much listened to

0%

25%

50%

75%

100%

64% 71%83% 88% 91%

36% 29%17% 12% 9%

Excellent/good health Poor/fair health

Opportunities for meaningful engagement

Extreme Stress Extreme Despair

Suicidal Ideation

20%

14%

17%

11%

5%

8%

Meaningfulness of activities and mental health

Not at all meaning-ful

Very meaningful

Not at a

ll engag

edA lit

tle

Somewhat

Quite a

bit

Very much

engag

ed

42%

55%61% 64%

71%

48%

58%62%

68%72%

Youth engagement and expectations of graduating from post secondary

Meaningfulness of ac-tivities

Feeling that ideas are listened to/acted upon

Expe

ctin

g to

gra

duat

e

Remove barriers• Advertise what is available

• Be welcoming

• Show that you want young people involved

• Answer the phone

• Be where youth are

• Train the ER, the police to be non-judgemental

• Make it easier

“There is nothing to help make that jump between youth and adult.”

“We need a place to practice what you’ve learned -- a safe place, an intermediate place.”

Offer helpful services• Provide continuous care – don’t just abruptly drop off

• Offer engaging activities that present a realistic alternative to substance use

• Are easily accessible, affordable and timely

• Offer comprehensive care – mental health, housing, substance use, employment support all in one place

Create youth engaged services

• Include youth in decision-making processes

• Ensure all staff are welcoming

• Offer one to one support when youth need it

• Offer peer support

• Be clear about role and level of engagement required

• THING I GET INVOLVED WITH • Enthusiastic mentors• Make the project look fun• Include youth from the start• Accessible meeting times• Food and transport/transit• Create a safe space

MY IDEAL WORKER•Someone you can relate to and get along with

•Doesn’t judge you and understands the issues

•Is blunt/honest when they need to be

•Genuinely likes their job

•Has skills and training

•Lets you make decisions but is there if you fall

•Connects you with resources

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vkcSmOWYca0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WOYNOBnrtuQ

Youth tell us a city fit for them• Recognizes diversity

• Offers opportunities for meaningful engagement

• Listens to youth’s ideas

• Builds on current connectedness

• Removes barriers to engagement

• Offer relevant, safe and approachable services, activities and opportunities

Thank you

annie@mcs.bc.ca

YOUTH HEALTH • YOUTH RESEARCH • YOUTH ENGAGEMENT

McCreary Centre Society