Map of Simcoe Muskoka

Mental Health

Psychological Distress Among Youth

Overall
Grade
Sex
Socioeconomic Status

Overall

According to the 2019 Ontario Student Drug Use and Health Survey (OSDUHS), 22% (17.8%, 27.4%) of Simcoe Muskoka students (Grades 7-12) experienced severe psychological distress in the four-weeks prior to the survey, which was not significantly different from the provincial average of 21% (19.2%, 22.0%). Psychological distress among Ontario students increased significantly in 2019 when compared with 2015 with 14% (12.5%, 16.0%) reporting severe distress. Simcoe Muskoka students reported similar levels of psychological distress in 2019 when compared with 2015.

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By Grade

Psychological distress is worse for high school students when compared to Grades 7 and 8 students. In Simcoe Muskoka in 2019, 70% (54.6%, 81.8%) of students in Grades 7 and 8 reported not experiencing any psychological distress in the previous four-weeks, which was higher than the 53% (46.3%, 60.0%) of high school students. Additionally, 26% (20.3%, 33.4%) of high school students reported severe psychological distress in the previous four-weeks, which was higher than the 13%* (6.5%, 24.3%) of Grade 7 and 8 students. Note these differences were not statistically significant due to a smaller sample of students surveyed locally.

*Interpret with caution, high variability.

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By Sex

Psychological distress is significantly worse for female students (Grades 7-12) when compared to male students. In Simcoe Muskoka in 2019, 73% (64.5%, 79.6%) of male students reported not experiencing any psychological distress in the previous four-weeks, which was significantly better than the 44% (36.5%, 50.9%) of female students. Additionally, 32% (25.2%, 40.2%) of female students reported severe psychological distress in the previous four-weeks, which was significantly higher than the 13% (9.3%, 16.8%) of male students.

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By Socioeconomic Status

Psychological distress is significantly worse for students with lower perceived socioeconomic status (SES) when compared with students with higher perceived SES. In Simcoe Muskoka in 2019, 70% (60.0%, 77.6%) of students (Grades 7-12) with the highest perceived SES reported no psychological distress in the previous four-weeks, which was significantly higher than the 42% (30.0%, 54.2%) of students in the lowest perceived SES that reported no psychological distress in the previous four weeks. Additionally, 43% (29.8%, 56.7%) of students in the lowest SES reported their severe psychological distress, which was significantly higher when compared with students in both the middle and the highest SES.

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Page last updated June 16, 2022