Using a process developed by ICSRA, data collected with an online questionnaire in the Alchemer software. Participation was voluntary, and students were free to answer the survey in whole part, skip any questions at will, and change their minds about participations at any time.  

The question topics included in the survey such as sleep, screen time, relationships, and wellbeing are all based on research showing these factors are connected to mental health and substance use outcomes. This helps us look beyond individual behaviors and better understand the broader picture of youth wellbeing.

 In total, 635 Grade 9 and 10 students participated across the Elgin, St. Thomas, and Oxford area. It’s important to recognize that this is a snapshot in time, not the full story. The survey is based on self-reported responses, and because it used an active consent process, it may reflect students who are somewhat more engaged or connected to the process. So, while it doesn’t represent every youth experience, it is still a very valuable piece of the puzzle. When we bring this information together with what we hear from youth, families, schools, and other local data, it helps us build a more complete understanding of what’s going well and where support may be needed.