Funding outcome

Using qualitative and quantitative data we will study youth mental health outcomes in Drayton Valley, Alberta. Drayton Valley is a rural community with a population of approximately 7000. In Canada, youth suicide rates in rural communities are higher than those in urban communities. Qualitative data will be collected through interviews and participant observation with the nine members of Drayton Valley's Youth Advisory Committee. Semi-structured interviews will provide an in-depth understanding of youth mental health conditions in the Town. The youth participants will also be invited to share insight into what it means to be healthy in their community. As such, they will also be engaged to support advocacy for health promoting policies in Drayton Valley. Additionally, we will use the Alberta dataset from the Cannabis, Obesity, Mental health, Physical activity, Alcohol, Smoking, and Sedentary behaviour (COMPASS) study. COMPASS is a longitudinal prospective cohort study which has surveyed eleven rural schools in the province-including Drayton Valley. Survey data will provide context for youth mental health in Alberta using a large sample size of over 5,000 students in grades 9-12. The findings from this study may support the development of health policies and practices that are relevant to, and inclusive of, youth.