New study may help explain why Ontario teens are feeling so distressed

New research might help explain why some Ontario teenagers are feeling so distressed these days.

The study, published in the journal Addiction, analyzed data from more than 35,000 students in grades seven through 12 — and found that symptoms of depression and anxiety nearly tripled over the past decade, from 10.7 per cent in 2013 to 27.4 per cent in 2023.

At the same time, researchers also found that youth who used cannabis 40 or more times a year reported an 18 per cent higher prevalence of psychological distress in 2023.

Does that mean cannabis use is contributing to youth mental health problems? Or are some teens turning to the drug to help cope with those problems?

Our guest on tonight’s Closer Look podcast is André McDonald, a post-doctoral fellow at McMaster University and the lead author of the study.

Hosted by Village Media’s Michael Friscolanti and Scott Sexsmith, and produced by Derek Turner, Closer Look is a new daily podcast that goes way beyond the headlines with insightful, in-depth conversations featuring our reporters and editors, leading experts, key stakeholders and big newsmakers.

Fresh episodes drop every Monday to Friday at 7 p.m. right in your local news feed — and on the show’s dedicated website: closerlookpodcast.ca. Of course, you can also find us wherever you get your favourite podcasts.

Want to be the first to know when a new episode lands? Sign up for our free nightly newsletter, which delivers the latest Closer Look straight to your email inbox. You can also subscribe to our YouTube channel or follow us on X, Instagram, Facebook and TikTok.

Have something to say? Please reach out. Our email address is closerlook@villagemedia.ca.