It remains a growing concern for health-care professionals and related agencies across the area.
And now, Waypoint Centre for Mental Health Care in Penetanguishene hopes an all-encompassing survey will shine a brighter light on youth substance use with the results helping to figure out how to make it easier for youth to find the services they need throughout the Simcoe-Muskoka region.
“We’re doing this study because we know access to many mental health services is limited,” said Susan Lalonde Rankin, Waypoint’s mental health and addiction system co-ordinator. “Especially for children and youth, it can be difficult for them to get the services they need.”
The survey, which began earlier this month, is open until mid-March.
All members of the community, whether directly affected by problematic substance use among youth or who just have an interest in the issue, are asked to participate since the results will help community partners better understand how to handle this pressing issue.
The survey asks people about the extent of their knowledge of available treatment options should they ever need to recommend treatment to a loved one or friend while also attempting to identify barriers that might exist when trying to access treatment.
“We need to hear from the entire community and continue dialogues and conversations,” Lalonde Rankin said, noting the survey aims to reach out to a broad swath of community services and residents of all ages across the region.
“Everyone is impacted by mental-health concerns,” Lalonde Rankin said. “All of us have had the experience of knowing or unknowingly someone who is suffering. Everyone’s impacted by mental-health concerns.”
Lalonde Rankin said it’s imperative to get a better handle on substance use since abusing drugs and alcohol can sometimes be a sign of mental illness or can serve as a gateway to future mental-health struggles.
“We need to develop a better plan to respond to youth,” she said. With diabetes, it’s better if you’re diagnosed and treated early. It’s the same for mental health because people can present (signs and symptoms) early on.”
An Ontario student drug-use and health study conducted last year showed that while the percentage of students using alcohol and other drugs has been declining, one in seven (15%) students in Grades 9 to 12 report symptoms of an alcohol or drug-use problem with binge-drinking remaining at an elevated level. As well, the survey determined fewer than one per cent of students received any sort of treatment in the past year.
Malatest, an independent research company, is involved in the current project.
“They’re collecting data on our behalf,” Lalonde Rankin said, noting Malatest personnel are also hard at work to get the word out via social media to generate as much input as possible.
“Malatest is also going to some events in the community,” she said, noting the company is reaching out to specific groups, including the LGBT community, for their input. “They went to a gathering of Indigenous youth to get input directly from them.”
Lalonde Rankin said binge drinking amongst area youth remains a major concern for health officials.
“It’s certainly very concerning,” she said. “It’s a bigger problem in rural areas like ours. We know a quarter of youth have (binge drunk) in the past month. We also have a higher rate of driving after substance use. I wouldn’t say we’re the highest in the province, but it is a significant concern.”
The project is being conducted in partnership with other organizations serving youth including: CMHA Simcoe, CMHA Muskoka Parry Sound, NewPath Youth and Family Services, Pine River Institute, Mamaway Wiidokdaadwin Indigenous Interprofessional Primary Care Team.
The survey can be found here.
