decline in mental health among young canadians, especially girls

A recent survey conducted by Statistics Canada revealed a significant decline in the mental health of Canadian youth over a four-year period, particularly among girls and older teens. Approximately 20% of youth who reported good mental health in 2019 indicated a deterioration to 'fair' or 'poor' by 2023. The study tracked the same group of participants aged 5 to 21, with a response rate of 54.2%, highlighting the impact of the pandemic on mental well-being during a critical transition to young adulthood. The findings showed that 23% of youth aged 15 to 17 experienced a decline in mental health, while the rate was lower at 19% for younger teens aged 12 to 14. Among those who rated their mental health as 'fair' or 'poor' in 2019, over 60% maintained that rating four years later. This trend aligns with a broader decline in mental health reported among Canadians aged 12 and older since 2015, with a notable drop in those reporting very good or excellent mental health. Particularly concerning is the increase in the percentage of girls aged 12 to 17 who rated their mental health as 'fair' or 'poor', which nearly doubled from 16% to 33%. In contrast, the proportion of boys with similar ratings increased from 7% to 19%. Nearly 70% of girls reported low mental health ratings four years later, compared to 52% of boys, indicating a gender disparity in mental health outcomes. A separate report from the Macdonald-Laurier Institute and the Centre for the Study of Living Standards corroborates these findings, showing a marked deterioration in the mental health of young women over the past decade. The percentage of women aged 15 to 30 reporting excellent or very good mental health dropped significantly, underscoring a concerning trend in mental well-being among young Canadians, particularly females.