The Toronto Board of Health is advocating for enhanced mental health resources to support children and teenagers still grappling with the adverse effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. In a recent decision, the board recommended that the city seek additional funding from the province to assist students who require “intensive” mental health interventions beyond the scope of the school system.
The board’s specific requests include addressing wait times for treatment and expanding access to care for distressed students. Additionally, the board urged the city to collaborate with school boards to tackle this pressing issue, with these recommendations slated to be presented at the upcoming city council meeting.
During the meeting, Toronto Public Health (TPH) officials presented alarming statistics, revealing that students have reported increased rates of depression, elevated screen time, and reduced physical activity in recent surveys. Dr. Eileen de Villa, the city’s medical officer of health, expressed concern, stating that nearly 50 percent of young people have reported moderate to severe mental health concerns.
Councillor Chris Moise, Chair of the Board of Health, shared his firsthand observations of declining student mental health during his tenure as a Toronto District School Board trustee prior to his election as a city councillor. He noted erratic behavior among students, decreased socialization, increased violence in schools, and a rise in sexual assaults, which he attributes to various factors compounded by the pandemic.
The Toronto Board of Health also presented data highlighting the following:
59 percent of Ontario students reported feeling depressed about the future due to the pandemic.
39 percent reported that the pandemic had worsened their mental health.
Toronto emergency department visits related to self-harm among children and youth surged by 30 percent in the first year following the pandemic’s onset.
This data was sourced from Toronto’s Population Health Profile (2023), the Ontario Student Drug Use and Health Survey (2022), and the 2022 ParticipACTION Report Card on Physical Activity for Children and Youth.
Furthermore, TPH officials underscored the significant impact of food insecurity on the mental health of young people, revealing that one in five Toronto households experienced food insecurity in the past year. Dr. de Villa emphasized that this cycle of stress within households can adversely affect a child’s ability to learn.
The Ontario Student Drug Use and Health Survey (2022) also revealed a surge in screen time among children and teenagers since the pandemic’s onset. Over 88 percent of children and teenagers now spend at least three hours daily in front of screens during their free time, with 31 percent dedicating more than five hours to social media each day, up from 21 percent in 2019.
Colleen Russell-Rawlins, Director of Education for the Toronto District School Board, reported an increase in violence and aggression among young people, particularly those aged 12 to 16. She shared that the TDSB had established an expert panel on student and staff safety in 2023, providing feedback on a 13-point strategy aimed at enhancing safety in schools and exploring the connection between food insecurity and mental health.
Brendan Browne, Director of Education for the Toronto Catholic District School Board, stressed the importance of students safely returning to school and reconnecting with their peers. He acknowledged the challenges faced during the pandemic and expressed the need for students to rebuild their social connections.
While the province asserted that it has substantially increased funding for student mental health support in recent years, the Toronto Board of Health continues to emphasize the urgency of addressing the mental health crisis among young people. Mental health advocates and officials are working collaboratively to ensure students receive the necessary support to cope with the lingering effects of the pandemic.
