New Youth Impact Survey data focuses on young people with long-term health conditions

Waterloo Region – The Children and Youth Planning Table (CYPT) of Waterloo Region has released new disaggregated Snapshot data from the 2023 Youth Impact Survey (YIS). The Long-Term Physical or Mental Condition is the seventh dataset out of eight focusing on different subpopulations of young people in Waterloo Region. View the results.

“The Children and Youth Planning Table's Youth Impact Survey is giving us invaluable research and insights that will lead Waterloo Region towards positive change. By listening to the voices of young people with physical or mental conditions, we can identify and address barriers, ensuring that our community is accessible and welcoming to all,” said Karen Redman, Chair of the Regional Municipality of Waterloo.

In partnership with UNICEF Canada, Waterloo Region Community Foundation, United Way Waterloo Region Communities, and the FamilyPsycle Lab at the University of Waterloo, the Children and Youth Planning Table ran the Youth Impact Survey through the Spring of 2023. The survey was an opportunity for young people in our community to share their experiences related to their well-being. Data from 1,867 young people who completed the survey was published in January 2024.

The Youth Impact Survey is based on the Canadian Index of Child and Youth Well-being. It asks questions across nine dimensions of well-being, including belonging, mental and emotional health, connection to the environment, participation in the community, and more. The ultimate goal of the disaggregated YIS Data Snapshots is to provide members of our community with equity-focused insights that take into account the needs and interests of different groups of children and youth.

In October, the Children and Youth Planning Table will release the eighth and final snapshot, which focuses on the experiences of youth with diverse racial identities.

Fast facts

• 1,876 youth from diverse backgrounds completed the Waterloo Region Youth Impact Survey between April 30 and June 9, 2023. This is a 77% increase in responses from the last Youth Impact Survey in 2021. The Survey was open to young people ages nine to 18.
• 71% of all respondents said they felt a very strong or somewhat strong sense of belonging to their community. Sense of belonging was 17 percentage points lower for those who have a long-term physical or mental condition (57%) compared to those who do not (74%).
• All together, 48% of young people said they had experienced at least one form of discrimination. After disaggregating the data, we see that youth with long-term conditions are 30 percentage points more likely to report that they have experienced discrimination (72% of youth with a long-term condition versus 42% of youth with no long-term condition.)

Quotes from Respondents

“[We need] More government sponsored activities and programming so I can go with support provided — able bodied [people] can when they want, I can’t go unless I have a 1 on 1 support person. This is expensive for us to pay for ourselves. Government should provide more programs and more funds so we can attend activities/camps.”

—2023 Youth Impact Survey Respondent

“I am autistic, social interactions may not look the same or be as important to me as a neurotypical. I enjoy online schooling far more than in person for the sensory aspects but do miss some of the social aspects, but not the exclusion or bullying.”

—2023 Youth Impact Survey Respondent

Making Sense of the Data

“I appreciate this breakdown because it exemplifies how physical disabilities and/or mental health conditions can impact various aspects of life.”

—Carmen Sutherland, Community Relations at Bridges to Belonging

“The Youth Impact Survey gives youth within our community, and specifically those who identify as living with a long-term physical or mental condition, a voice in a society that often overlooks them. We can see in the data that these youth face significant challenges, including a lower sense of belonging and overall life satisfaction. They experience higher levels of discrimination, isolation and bullying.

When I see these numbers, I see a clear call to action. We must create more intentional and enriching opportunities for youth living with disabilities. We must become more inclusive as a community, and work together to empower these youth to thrive as vital members of our society.”

—Lindsie Driver, Youth Engagement Lead at KidsAbility Centre for Child Development

About the Children and Youth Planning Table

The Children and Youth Planning Table (CYPT) is a member-driven partnership with over 65 Voting Member Organizations across Waterloo Region. The CYPT works to improve the well-being of children and youth through a system of coordinated and effective services that are supported by capacity building initiatives. Recognizing the complex challenges and issues related to the well-being of children and youth, the CYPT operates through a collective impact model seeking to promote the shared vision of “Happy, healthy children and youth — today and tomorrow.”

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