Here are some of the questions people ask here and in other communities where the Planet Youth model has been introduced.

WHY IS HALDIMAND-NORFOLK TAKING THIS APPROACH?

Substance use is a complex issue, requiring a complex solution. Short term or one-time youth substance use prevention campaigns, programs or events, while well intentioned, do not often lead to lasting, measurable changes. Research has consistently shown that strengthening protective factors and reducing risk factors in a young person’s life has a greater impact in their substance use behaviour, along with influencing their overall mental, social and physical well-being.

The Planet Youth approach focuses on the  root causes of substance misuse. It is a holistic approach, focusing on the community as a whole to build support networks that foster youth resilience, mental health, and well-being.

We believe that by building a positive and supportive community environment, we can improve youth mental health and greatly diminish the use of tobacco, alcohol and drugs, reducing the long-term health consequences of substance use among youth.

  1. Planet Youth Lanark County and MDS Steering Committees receive the data from Planet Youth Guidance to identify the scope of the problem.
  2. Action shifts to the local MDS committees to disseminate and discuss the data with their communities.
  3. Local action is implemented based on the data through collaboration with local MDS committees, stakeholders and policy makers.
  4. The impact of local activities is measured through subsequent surveys. Local MDS committees use future reports to continuously strengthen action plans.

Since 1990 data and research has been compiled by social scientists at the Icelandic Center for Social Research and Analysis. The research confirms positive community responses to lowering risk factors and strengthening protective factors. An extensive library of papers published in peer reviewed journals is available at https://planetyouth.org/the-method/publications/.

HOW DOES THE PLANET YOUTH APPROACH WORK?

The model uses a collaborative approach to listen to youth voices, shares this information with parents, caregivers, and local youth-focused agencies and organizations to empower communities to create healthier environments for youth. The findings of the data collected from local youth are used by the community to make change in the broader social surroundings affecting youth such as the home, school, peer, and recreation environments.

Every community has different needs, and Planet Youth does not offer a one-size-fits-all approach. Instead, each community listens to their young people directly to determine what kind of supports or opportunities they would like to see in their community, then works with partner organizations to implement solutions that respond to their needs.

This might look like more opportunities for social engagement, sports and group hobbies, and quality time with their families, or something else entirely. It is up to each communities to determine what interventions make the most sense for them based on the data and local context.

Our community as a whole becomes stronger, healthier and supportive by working together. Using an evidence-based approach to pinpoint what physical and social environments our community needs to strengthen will save time and money. Prevention methods are really about creating an environment where everyone feels safe, cared for and valued. That is a healthy community. People who grow up in a healthy community are more likely to become healthy and contributing adults.

  •  If you’d like to have a voice in decision making and the implementation of initiatives, we welcome youth, parents, caregivers, community organization or agency members, or interested members of the community to join the Haldimand-Norfolk Planet Youth Coordinating Coalition, or a local Planet Youth Action Team.
  • We always welcome young people, families, caregivers and other community members to volunteer for any future events and activities.
  • If you’re interested in learning more about getting involved, contact us at info@planetyouthhaldimandnorfolk.ca
WHO IS INVOLVED IN THIS WORK?

Various organizations, agencies and groups throughout Haldimand and Norfolk counties are involved in Planet Youth. Partners from sectors including health, education, recreation, the faith community, law enforcement, youth-serving agencies, service clubs and many others all contribute to the IPM approach and a shared common goal.

Playing an equally vital role in supporting the Planet Youth approach are parents, caregivers and the youth in our community. Their voices, experiences and contributions are critical to successfully making changes using he IPM model.

THE SURVEYS

Most youth studies are conducted provincially or nationally, but we need to learn from Haldimand and Norfolk youth directly on a local and community-based level. A core component of the Planet Youth model is listening to youth voices, helping them feel valued, heard, and respected as members of their community.

The Planet Youth survey is an important first step in hearing from youth and in using what we learn to guide our work in improving the social and physical environments our youth are growing up in.

We require a benchmark of where things are in terms of risk and protective factors and evidence has shown this is the age group that works the best. The research shows that once you know where the risk factors are in your community you can take steps to improve outcomes for children that are currently in lower grades. In five years the grade 10 student we survey will have been in grade 5 when the first survey was performed. We will be able to quantitatively measure how much our communities have improved over the five years.

Grade 10 is also a pivotal transition year, as students begin moving from childhood to adulthood, making their input especially useful. Their perspectives at this age help us understand why young people disengage from community activities, guiding us on where to allocate resources.

The survey addresses risk and protective factors that are key to 4 areas of youth influence – Family, Peers, School and Leisure Time.

The schools are where the surveys will be done – in grade 10 classes. Once Planet Youth analyzes the data,  schools will receive school-level reports for their internal planning and programming uses, and community-level results will be shared with community partners to allow for action plans to be created.

Parents always have been, and always will be the most important influence in a child’s life.

Parents are encouraged to support the surveys by granting permission for their child to participate. The surveys are anonymous.

Parents also have a huge role in raising protective factors as 25% of a youth’s sphere of influence is their family. Interestingly Planet Youth research has shown it is not just about quality time you spend with your kids; it IS about quantity of time.

The anonymous surveys are an opportunity for youth to have their voice heard. They need to be open and receptive to the process and answer the questions as honestly as possible. Once the survey results are received, youth will be part of the  process to implement positive action in their community.