KENORA – Regional News – The Northwestern Health Unit (NWHU) has released troubling new data on student health across the region, revealing that youth in Northwestern Ontario are experiencing higher-than-average rates of risky health behaviours compared to their peers across the province.
The findings come from the 2024/25 COMPASS Study, conducted in partnership with eight secondary schools across the NWHU catchment area. With 57% of students participating, the study tracked health behaviours such as substance use, physical activity, mental health, sleep, and nutrition.
Led by researchers at the University of Waterloo, COMPASS is a national school-based health behaviour study that has included Northwestern Ontario students since 2012.
Northwestern Ontario Students at Greater Risk
According to the latest data, youth in the NWHU region report more adverse health behaviours than the Ontario average. While students are sleeping slightly more and meeting national physical activity guidelines at similar rates, the region stands out for higher levels of vaping, alcohol use, cannabis use, and poor mental health.
Key findings from the 2024/25 report include:
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Only 28% of students eat breakfast daily
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6% of students report sometimes going to bed hungry due to lack of money
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72% meet the national guideline of 60 minutes of physical activity daily
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Only 3% meet the screen time guideline of 2 hours or less per day
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27% used an e-cigarette (vape) in the past 30 days
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48% of students who’ve never vaped say they’re likely to start
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16% smoked a cigarette in the past 30 days
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22% reported binge drinking in the last 30 days
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22% reported using cannabis in the last 30 days
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Just 55% of students rated their mental health as good, very good, or excellent
Alarming Mental Health and Substance Use Trends
The report underscores a concerning pattern: mental health declines and substance use increases as students get older. Grade 9 students consistently report the lowest substance use rates, while Grade 12 students show the highest, indicating a steady progression of risk through high school years.
Notably, female students were found to be at greater risk than males. Girls reported higher levels of substance use and poorer self-rated mental health, suggesting a critical need for targeted mental health supports and early intervention programs in schools.
Call to Action: Community-Wide Support Needed
The findings should be a wake-up call for families, schools, service providers, and policy makers in Thunder Bay and across Northwestern Ontario.
“These data show that our students are struggling in ways that affect their long-term health and success,” said an NWHU spokesperson. “This isn’t just a school issue—it’s a community issue. We need coordinated efforts to address food insecurity, mental health support, and substance use prevention.”
The NWHU encourages parents, caregivers, and educators to talk openly with youth about substance use and mental wellbeing. They also recommend monitoring screen time, encouraging physical activity, and ensuring youth have access to nutritious food—especially breakfast.
About the COMPASS Study
The COMPASS Study is a long-term, prospective research project that examines how changes in school environments impact student health over time. It provides valuable insights that help shape local public health policy and school-based interventions.
To read the full 2024/25 NWHU School Health Profile report, visit the Reports, Publications, and Statistics page on the NWHU website.
