The YCRH Blog: Greener on the other side – inequitable access to green spaces impacts children’s health

By Umayangga Yogalingam (Co-Executive Director, The Young Canadians Roundtable on Health)

Restrictions under the COVID-19 pandemic are forcing more and more Canadians to discover the public green spaces in their neighbourhoods, cities and beyond. Green spaces are areas with vegetation that is specifically for aesthetic and/or recreational purposes and include parks, gardens, public facilities, and ecological reserves. Green spaces can offer a sense of respite from the newfound stressors associated with school and community centre closures, social isolation and the tedium of being stuck at home, mitigating the pandemic’s negative impact on health and quality of life. For children especially, green spaces can be a blessing as it is a space to engage in physical activity and access learning related to nature and the environment, all while maintaining physical distancing.

The link between green spaces and positive health has been well-established. Increased access to green spaces has been associated with decreased risk of death from common illnesses such as heart diseases, diabetes, and respiratory illnesses, according to a national cohort study in The Lancet. The pathways through which green spaces impact children’s health are numerous. Green spaces enhance physical activity which is a protective factor against the development of illnesses in childhood such as obesity, diabetes and cancer. In urban settings, green spaces can mitigate air pollution, noise and heat, all of which can lead to adverse, long-term health consequences especially during fetal growth and childhood. Green spaces can also improve immunological functioning due to exposure to beneficial microbiota.

A review in the Journal of Pediatric Nursing has highlighted a body of research that shows how green spaces can positively impact mental health, reduce behavioural problems and improve academic performance within children. Specifically, it can lead to improved mental well-being, positive behaviours, improved attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms, and better standardized test scores. It can also protect against high stress levels, depression, and mood disorders via increased physical activity, increased social contact and the change in environment that green spaces provide.

However, not all those who live in Canada are able to reap the benefits of high-quality green spaces. According to Statistics Canada’s 2017 Households and Environment Survey, Canadian households (85%) indicated that there is a park ten-minutes away from their home. However, there are many factors that impact access to these green spaces including walkability, availability of play facilities, perceived safety, and aesthetics. Several studies have shown that individuals and families with higher income and higher education levels are more likely to have greater access to high-quality green spaces. As such, wealthier neighbourhoods are more likely to benefit from green spaces in comparison to underserved neighbourhoods.

Inequities in access to green spaces have been reinforced during the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic saw the closure or the restricted use of green spaces, namely parks and play facilities, in Canada. For many low-to medium-income households and may be unable to leave cities to access nature, parks offer a way to access green space and its benefits. The lack of access to green spaces further limits the options of activities that underserved populations can engage in during the pandemic, exacerbating stressors and other inequities these populations may already be experiencing.

Unsurprisingly, studies have found correlations between children who have limited access to green spaces and poor health outcomes such as increased risk for neurodevelopmental disorders such as ADHD, and behavioural problems such as aggressive behaviour and conduct problems. Impacts on health include increased sedentary behaviour due to lack of spaces to engage in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity, higher blood pressure, and increased risk of developing psychiatric disorders.

The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of green space for children’s health and broader public health. As Canada slowly loosens restrictions, observations and data collected on green space use during the pandemic can be used to equitably invest in green spaces. It is important to apply an equity lens and actively engage community members, families, children and youth across all populations in planning, implementing and enhancing green spaces. High-quality green spaces can serve as an upstream, preventative measure against many negative health outcomes, especially among children. As such, the importance of investing in green spaces must not be understated.

Umayangga Yogalingam is a recent graduate from the Master of Public Health program at the University of Toronto and is passionate about mental health, health equity, environmental health, and the impact of race, culture and ethnicity on health. In addition to being the Executive Director of the YCRH, she is also the Research and Knowledge Translation Lead at The Sandbox Project.

The YCRH Blog: Child and youth well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic

By Stacie Smith (Director of Relations and Outreach, Young Canadians Roundtable on Health)      

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a major impact on many people’s lives, especially children and youth. There are many uncertainties for them, such as wondering when they might be able to play with their friends again and what the upcoming school year may look like. Their fears and worries are just as important as anyone else’s and need to be remembered during this time of uncertainty.

Every single child in Canada deserves the best start in life, no matter where they live in the country. There can be long-term mental health effects of the closures and distancing measures, especially in infants and toddlers who have had their day-to-day routines disrupted and changed. One way of keeping things normal is to always have structured days with regular mealtimes and bedtimes, as they are an essential part of keeping kids happy and healthy. Planning daily walks can be a good way to create structure and ensure physical activity. Overall, children do better when their activities are predictable and therefore, whenever possible, inform them about any change in routine ahead of time.

Kids feel inspired when they know what to do to keep themselves safe. It is always a great step to let children make their own decisions when it comes to staying safe and healthy. It gives them a sense of pride that they made a decision that kept them protected within their limits. Teaching kids that staying healthy and having good hygiene habits can help them stay strong and well. It’s also necessary to set limits. For example, some may need structured and unstructured time, as well as supervised and unsupervised time.

With the most recent release of the ParticipACTION Report Card giving a grade of D+ to Canadian Youth for Physical Activity, it is more important than ever to ensure children are getting enough physical activity during a time when children are not playing with their friends or getting outside as often. We can still do everything we can to ensure our families’ bodies and minds are strong, their moods are boosted and energy levels are prime. ParticipACTION has some great resources to keep everyone moving.

There have also been many questions about how thousands of children who rely on food programs will be able to access those critical meals safely. For example, the Government of Nova Scotia funds school healthy eating and breakfast programs, but some fall short of meeting the needs of students and they rely too heavily on support from volunteers to deliver them.

Since classes ended early in March, Feed Nova Scotia has been delivering meals to students who would normally get them at school through its annual After the Bell program. This year, it received more than 9,000 food packages for kids. It is still unclear how school food programs will look this fall, but there are many factors at play when considering what changes need to be made.

There will need to be changes to communal eating spaces to accommodate for physical distancing, personal protective equipment provided to those who serve food to students, as well as how to best prepare food that may not be prepackaged.

It will become very important to keep children safe and comfortable when coming back together in childcare settings, summer camps, on the playground, and ultimately, back to school this coming fall. While most provincial governments have released their reopening guidelines for schools this fall, Nova Scotia has not. They have indicated that they want to take their time, but many parents and other government parties are calling on the government to provide a plan sooner rather than later. Kids are already worried about what the fall will look like; it doesn’t make sense to make them worry longer than needed.

Stacie Smith is a recent Kinesiology graduate from Saint John, New Brunswick and the founder of the COVID-19 PSE Support Network. She is also the Vice President of the Kinesiology Association of Nova Scotia. She was the recipient of the PHE Canada Student Leadership Award in 2018-2019 for her leadership role in the School of Health & Human Performance.

Reflections on a whirlwind trip to #Sandbox2017

By Maree Rodriguez, Young Canadians Roundtable on Health

From April 4th-6th, I had the pleasure of attending the Young Canadians Roundtable on Health (YCRH) Annual General Meeting as well as the 2017 Sandbox Summit. Over two days and two nights, I spent the time thinking, exploring and networking with youth from coast-to-coast across Canada. It is an experience I am proud to be part of and hope to have many more in the future.

To understand my perspective, I am from Winnipeg, Manitoba. While Winnipeg is still a large city, I came into Toronto with a fresh perspective and sense of wonder. It was my first time in Toronto and those two things combined with the fact it was my first time travelling (alone I might add) since I was twelve years old made me incredibly excited to visit this new place. If there are three words that I would use to describe Toronto, it’s tall (buildings), long (roads) and Starbucks (everywhere!).

April 4th was the YCRH’s AGM, a full-day event where we discussed many things including YCRH’s future and current and upcoming projects. A highlight of the day was being able to meet and speak with Irwin Elman, Provincial Advocate for Children and Youth in Ontario. He talked about the importance of youth and letting youth voices be heard. Afterwards, we had our project breakouts, discussing issues around the opioid crisis, youth homelessness and poverty.

I explored downtown Toronto with two friends after the AGM. Everyone and everything moves incredibly fast. Maybe it’s the Starbucks on every corner, or the endless types of transportation from cars to buses to subways. Whether it’s looking at the water by the harbour, or looking up in the middle of Yonge and Dundas, for a first-timer like me, there’s a lot to see. If you ever go to Toronto, make sure to bring a sweater, because you will be out all day and won’t want to miss a thing.

The next day was the 2017 Sandbox Summit. This day was filled with speakers, discussion, ideas and networking. Representatives from various child and youth health organizations were there to share ideas about how we can help children and youth to be healthier, safer and more involved in their communities across Canada. It was great to meet with so many people and listen to each other’s ideas, opinions and perspectives.

My only complaint is that my time there seemed to end the moment it began. I’ve made new connections and most importantly, some amazing friends. It was great to finally see everyone in person since we are usually connected by a teleconference line and social media. 

I was incredibly exhausted by the time I got back home. The AGM and Summit along with the exploring were physically and mentally tiring. However, I wouldn’t take any of it back. I hit the ground running and made the most of my stay. Here’s to new friendships and a healthier Canada for all children and youth. Stay tuned to see what the YCRH comes up with next!

---

About the Author

Maree Rodriguez is a speaker, writer, spoken word poet, and mental health and bullying awareness advocate. She has facilitated health-related workshops to thousands of youth across Winnipeg and currently facilitates No Means No workshops. These workshops cover topics such as power, rights and consent. She enjoys the outdoors, baking, singing in the shower and languages. Currently, Maree is studying psychology at the University of Winnipeg.

Mental Health and the Importance of Storytelling

By April Haggart, Young Canadians Roundtable on Health

Mental health is not an easy topic to open up about.  It is not easy for a person who is battling it, or for their families to talk about it. What people going through their own battles do not know is the power behind their own stories.  Each story is a journey that not only empowers others to open up, but it can also educate people on mental health and illness.

I learned this through my own battle with depression. I found that my own story, my own journey, is inspirational to others. It educates my family and friends about mental health. However, while I discovered that there are resources for families of teens and children who have a mental illness, there is a lack of resources for families with children 21 years and older. 

After experiencing depression between 2012 and 2014 and realizing the lack of resources and education for adults to learn what their loved one is going through, an idea was sparked in me. Two years later, I started the My Story Movement on Facebook. 

My Story is a place for individuals who are fighting, have fought or lost someone to mental illness to come share their stories. Their stories shed light into their own struggles. We focus on hope and the positives in people's stories, and how they have been able to get better and improve themselves. 

We are never alone. We are all in this together.  Our stories are our own to tell. We all have strength inside ourselves to open up. 

If you are not ready to share your story publicly, start with your family and friends. It actually gives them insight into what your triggers are, what works and what does not work for you. It will take time for them to learn. They will have questions. They will ask how they can help you. It is okay to tell them if all you need is to have someone listen.  It will be a learning curve not only for them, but also for you. 

This is your life, your journey, your story. It will have an impact and motivate others to open up.

---

About the Author

April Haggart is the founder of the My Story Movement on Facebook. She is combining her recreation background and passion for mental health awareness in hopes of inspiring youth about the impact their own stories can have on others. 

Youth and Innovation Forum: Generation Now, Building the Future of Tomorrow

By Stephanie Bertolo, Vice Chair, Young Canadians Roundtable on Health

On November 21st and 22nd, I attended the 2016 Youth and Innovation Forum hosted by Pollution Probe and Student Energy. This first-time conference attracted 60 youth from across Canada. By bringing together the voices of those with vastly different perspectives, the most innovative ideas surrounding sustainability and environment were able to emerge.

We first met at the Hard Rock Café on the evening of the 21st. Over hors d’oeuvres and social bingo, it soon became apparent what an incredibly talented and passionate group of people had come together. From undergraduates to PhD students to those employed in the environmental sector, everyone was a clear leader in their fields. 

The next morning, we met again at the Ontario Trade and Investment Centre. We started off the day with a motivating speech from The Honourable Elizabeth Dowdeswell, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario. She stated that the province is not bold or ambitious enough; we must grow to be so by foremost learning from the rest of the world’s environmental innovations, which will help to inspire our own. Her faith in youth made it clear that Ontario has great possibilities to move forward and become a leader in sustainability.

This then led us into the main portion of the day: The Innovation Jam. Based upon participants’ suggestions, several environment and sustainability challenges were presented. Youth broke out into smaller groups to focus on one of these issues. For two hours, we tirelessly brainstormed and ideated to develop an action plan that could be part of a larger solution.

At my table we discussed effective community collaboration. Change must be made to achieve a sustainable future. However, it is important that the change is agreed upon by community members and all those affected. Through discussion, we developed the idea of creating a generalizable conference structure that could successfully be applied in different settings to mediate community engagement. This conference would help communities discuss environmental problems and create solutions that would be best for individuals. There could be speakers, breakout sessions, and opportunities to get involved in other local projects. We, or those who take on our project idea, would provide community champions with the resources to set up these conferences in their neighbourhoods. This would include facilitation training and information about grant opportunities that could cover the financial costs of the conferences. In this way, the community would have ownership over the project, which is crucial for empowerment and sustainability.

Other tables also presented impressively innovative ideas surrounding sustainable living topics in Northern Canada, facilitating the transition towards a greener economy, and learning from the wisdom of Indigenous communities. With official note-takers at each table, all of the discussion was recorded, which will allow for the ideas to live on long after the Forum was over.

This being the first time the Forum was held, it was a fantastic event, inciting great ideas and meaningful connections between participants. I look forward to seeing how Pollution Probe and Student Energy apply what was discussed during the day to inform future projects. In addition, the event still has incredible potential and room for growth in future years. What is most important is that the organizers have taken a meaningful step to include the youth voice in building a sustainable future.  

---

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Stephanie Bertolo is from Hamilton, Ontario and is currently studying Arts and Science at McMaster University.  Stephanie's passion for health and community drives her work with the YCRH, the Hamilton Community Foundation and several groups on McMaster’s campus.