Research Summary
Poor mental health and exposure to violence are among the leading threats to Canadian children and youth. One in five children in Canada has a diagnosed mental health issue, and two-thirds of Canadians report experiencing maltreatment (including physical and/or emotional abuse) before the age of 15. Tackling these issues demands a multifaceted approach involving research, prevention, early intervention and support for young people.
As Canada Research Chair in Youth Mental Health and Violence Prevention, Dr. Tracy Vaillancourt is conducting four studies to better understand the health of Canada’s youth. She and her research team are exploring the impact of workplace violence on youth and studying their health and peer relationships. They are also investigating the extent of youth learning loss in Canada and freedom of thought and privacy issues related to social media use. Their findings will provide timely evidence to help shape policies and strategies to strengthen youth mental health.