Separating fact from fiction in youth violence

Forum for service providers and youth searches for balanced solutions

While the general public struggles to understand why the incidence of youth violence seems to escalate, CAMH and other parts of the mental health profession believe that youth violence is a public health issue. Further, many believe that we need an organized effort across many segments of society and to address the mental, physical and environmental aspects of this problem.

Health care professionals will come together with social and youth services workers and professionals from law enforcement and other disciplines at a forum on February 27, 2008 to search for some of these solutions.

Organized by CAMH and George Brown College’s Centre for Preparatory & Liberal Studies, “Youth Violence: ‘Mental Health Issue or Criminal Behaviour?’ - A Public Health Discussion for Prevention” is the 9th Annual Mental Health Conference.

Lew Golding, Manager of CAMH’s Substance Abuse Program for African and Caribbean Youth, is co-organizer of a Feb. 27 forum that will bring together professionals from many disciplines to search for solutions to youth violence.

“Youth violence is strongly shaped by social determinants of health such as poverty, social exclusion, racism, unemployment, inadequate housing, and community disorganization,” says Lew Golding, a forum co-organizer and manager of CAMH’s Substance Abuse Program for African Canadian and Caribbean Youth (SAPACCY).

“We know that for adolescents, interpersonal relations are the strongest predictors for violence. These are the questions we’ll be exploring at this forum,” Lew said, adding that current research shows that with proper understand, resources and supports, youth violence can be reduced .

Service providers and practitioners struggle to respond to the challenging conditions facing today’s youth. The lack of positive social ties with adults and involvement with anti-social peers (gang membership) are clearly associated with youth violence. Poor academic performance and dropping out of school are also strongly associated.

This forum will explore an emerging frame of reference for youth violence that may prove useful to individuals, agencies and the broader social service system. Mary Anne Chambers, former Minister of Youth and Children Services, will moderate the opening panel discussion featuring mental health and community safety experts and Golding will make a presentation on “Public Health Framework for Understanding and Prevention of Youth Violence.”

A highlight will be a special youth panel discussion to allow Toronto-area youth to represent their views and recommendations.

For more information about the event, please visit the conference website or contact Christine Ovcaric at 416-415-5000 ext. 2562, or covcaric@georgebrown.ca.