Speakers include 13-year-old founder of foundation to fight homelessness
Does risky behaviour in high school continue post graduation? Do students who don’t go on to post-secondary education manage to access the same support systems as young people attending a college or university campus? One of the longest and largest Canadian surveys following youth behaviour from adolescence into adulthood is uncovering answers to these questions. The results will be part of the keynote address at the “Healthy Youth Today, Healthy World Tomorrow” conference presented by UVic’s Centre for Youth and Society (CYS) on Feb. 11 and 12 at the Harbour Towers Hotel, 345 Quebec Street.
The healthy youth survey, led by UVic psychologist Bonnie Leadbeater, is now entering its seventh year of polling and analyzing data from over 600 Greater Victoria young people. “If there are strong connections between a parent and child there’s less of a chance of risky behaviours later in life. Parents still matter, even though their kids are growing up,” says Leadbeater, who first began surveying hundreds of 12-to-18-year-olds in 2003.
Other youth-related topics from UVic researchers on Feb. 11 include: Sandra Gibbons on the benefits of a “girls only day” at high schools; Kristin De Grosbois on youth with epilepsy; and Elizabeth Banister on the knowledge gained through health research conducted by a group of international community-based researchers.
On Feb. 12 UVic grad Julie Straith will present “Teaching, Parenting and Coaching Students with Autism” which focuses on the journey of her 16-year-old son as seen through his, his sister’s and his mother’s eyes. Son Evan, now a high school student, and his sister Natasha will participate in the presentation.
A panel on youth mental health and addictions features CYS director Anne Marshall discussing the stigma still associated with mental illness among youth. Her work with community partners in Ontario and BC involves incorporating mental health issues into curriculum and developing an interactive website (http://caringminds.ca) for students in grades 7 to 12 that launches on Feb. 10.
She’ll be joined by CYS research partner Kelly Angelius discussing the FRIENDS program which assists elementary students with anxiety disorders; CYS community member Mark McLaughlin, founder of the Crystal Meth Society of BC, on how youth benefit from information on street drugs and addiction; and UVic alumna and Ministry of Healthy Living and Sport policy analyst Julie Adams on female youth and alcohol use.
The conference concludes with a keynote address from 13-year-old Hannah Taylor who has already spent nearly half her life raising funds to address homelessness through her Ladybug Foundation. The adolescent dynamo has already spoken to thousands of people about her cause and is scheduled to meet with Nelson Mandela in April.
For further information about the conference visit www.youth.society.uvic.ca/
