Amid rising stress and anxiety, Pathways is helping young people build trusted relationships, coping skills, and confidence in their future.
Supporting young people’s social and emotional well-being has never been more important. In recent years, shifts in social dynamics, economic pressures, and the lasting effects of the COVID-19 pandemic have contributed to rising levels of loneliness, stress, and mental health challenges amongst youth. According to the 2023 Canadian Health Survey on Children and Youth, the proportion of youth aged 16 to 21 reporting their mental health as “fair” or “poor” has more than doubled since 2019.1
The experiences of Pathways youth and program staff reflect these concerns. Recent findings from consultations across 31 program locations reveal how social and financial pressures are deepening existing barriers to inclusion and long-term stability.
In response, Pathways Program Partners are adapting their approaches to better support students’ evolving mental health and well-being needs through wraparound supports tailored to their specific communities.
Supporting Student Well-being
Research shows that consistent support from adults, a sense of community and belonging, and opportunities to develop coping skills contribute to overall well-being and long-term success.1 Through a balanced combination of academic, financial, social, and one-on-one supports, the Pathways Program takes an upstream approach by reinforcing these protective factors and addressing known risk factors that contribute to poor mental health.
Consistent support from caring adults
Pathways students receive personalized support from dedicated program staff, ensuring each student has a trusted adult who can provide advice and encouragement, help them navigate personal challenges, develop healthy habits, and set and work toward goals.
In the community of Sept-Îles, Pathways staff support students at two local high schools, where they have a dedicated space on-site and are available Monday to Friday. Staff eat lunch with the students, interact with them during breaks, provide one-on-one guidance, and facilitate meetings with the school and families. During the 2024-25 school year, program staff held more than 550 individual meetings with students. This consistent presence allows staff to better understand each student’s needs and strengths and work with them to develop personalized support plans.
Access to community and sense of belonging
Pathways staff design programming activities that offer students a low-pressure way to practice key interpersonal skills. For the growing number of students struggling in school and social settings, opportunities tailored to their comfort levels help them ease into new experiences that support their development, all while strengthening the peer networks they can rely on for support.
This approach takes different forms across the country, reflecting the unique needs of each community. For example, in response to a growing newcomer student population, Pathways Spryfield has focused on creating welcoming spaces where youth from different backgrounds can share cultural experiences and build meaningful connections. Programming reflects local needs and diversity by incorporating culturally relevant snacks, hosting community cultural celebrations like an Iftar dinner for students, families, and staff, and providing a dedicated reflection space with prayer mats for spiritual practices.
Opportunities to develop coping skills
Pathways students have opportunities to build skills for regulating emotions, working through conflicts, and persevering during difficult moments. When students need additional mental health supports beyond what the program offers, staff will work with them and their families to help access external services that align with their unique contexts and cultural worldviews.
At Pathways Saskatoon, which serves an entirely Indigenous student population, the team supported students in coping with significant community losses and accessing bereavement support. In collaboration with the Saskatoon Tribal Council, they planned a mental health workshop that brought students together to participate in trauma therapy and relationship-building activities. Students are also connected to cultural ways and community that promote healing and build resiliency, including access to extra support through referrals to Elders or opportunities to participate in sweat lodge ceremonies.
This holistic approach to supporting youth is rooted in prevention and long-term impact. When young people have access to consistent, wraparound supports, it enables them to build resilience and the social and emotional skills needed to navigate the challenges of adolescence—laying a foundation for healthy development and future well-being.