Report finds PQB youth face increasing mental health challenges

Youth engaging in ‘risky behaviours’ at higher than B.C. average

by Kevin Forsyth @ Vancouver Island Daily – Read the Source Article

Youth in the Parksville Qualicum Beach region exceed provincial averages in substance use, with nearly one-third reporting they used substances because they felt down, sad or stressed, according to the first-ever Oceanside State of Children and Youth.

The report looks at the lives of children, youth and families across the region and is the result of a collaborative effort led by the Oceanside Child and Youth Wellness Action Group, a community action table of the Naut’ sa mawt Oceanside Wellness Network, with support from local organizations and community members, according to a news release by the NOW Network.

Titled Stories Beyond Statistics: Understanding Children and Youth in Oceanside, the report highlight the experiences, challenges and strengths of young people in the community. It aims to inform policy, guide program development, and inspire collective action toward healthier, more resilient futures.

The report found that Oceanside youth are facing increasing mental health challenges. In 2023, one in four youth needed mental health services, yet only eight per cent were able to access them.

Housing is a major factor in the area, with 44 per cent of renters and 14 per cent of homeowners finding housing unaffordable. The proportion of children and youth living in low-income households is three per cent higher than the Island Health and B.C. average, according to the report.

Youth are engaging in certain “risky behaviours” at higher than the provincial average, the report found.

“The proportion of youth having tried alcohol, cannabis and mushrooms was four per cent to seven per cent greater in Oceanside compared to the province,” the report said. “Females were more likely than males to use substances including vaping, tobacco, alcohol and cannabis.”

Overall, Oceanside youth exceed provincial averages in substance use, with 32 per cent reporting having used substances because they felt down sad, or stressed, the report said.

Despite challenges, youth report strong family connections and a sense of optimism. Eighty per cent said things are going well, and 66 per cent felt they have a good life.

The report emphasizes the importance of upstream prevention, early intervention and coordinated community-based services. It calls for greater investment in affordable childcare, inclusive recreation, mental health supports and culturally responsive care.

The NOW Network was formed in 2023 through the merger of two initiatives: the Oceanside Health and Wellness Network, established in 2013 by the grassroots “Perfect Storm” group to bring a health centre to Parksville, and the Nanaimo Community Wellness Network, created in 2020 with a focus on decolonization, equity, diversity and inclusion.

In 2022, the Nanaimo network was gifted the name Naut’sa mawt — meaning “journeying together as one” — by Snuneymuxw Elders

To read the full report and read the complete list of CYWAG recommendations visit Oceanside State of Children and Youth Report 2025 .