Be Your Best Self! by Youth Action Network (YAN)

editor-in-chief BROOKE WAYNE forum@youthactionnetwork.org

EDITOR’S NOTE

managing editor STEPHEN KEARSE forum advisor LINDA ZHANG sub-editors KSENIA BEZVERBNAYA SEEMI QAISER EMILY PACHECO SUNITA SURENDRA cover designer BROOKE WAYNE contributors ASHLEY NANA AGYAPONG SALOMEH AHMADI KSENIA BEZVERBNAYA RENEE CAMPBELL TENZIN DUDOUL AZIZA FARAH DANNY FEE STANLEY ING AYESHA JABBAR CECILIA NGUYEN NYLA OBAID ABISARIKKA PILLAIYINAR SEEMI QAISER SUNDAS SHAMSHAD SUNITA SURENDRA BROOKE WAYNE illustrators KSENIA BEZVERBNAYA ZOE EISENSTAT SUNITA SURENDRA BROOKE WAYNE KEKE ZHOU board of directors BAYAN BABI VIVEK CHACHCHA ALISA DAS DEBBIE GORDON LINDA ZHANG staff MOHAMED ABDELRAHIM SILVIA ARGENTINA ARAUZ PAULA ELIAS SANDRA VIDES MARTINEZ TINA NASIAKOS Special Thanks to DON McGREGOR, CHRISTINE SCINOCCO & MARIE CARRIERE for their continued dedication to YAN YOUTH ACTION NETWORK 260 Spadina Avenue, Suite 402 Toronto, ON Canada M5T 2E4 phone 416.368.2277 www.youthactionnetwork.org http://forum.youthactionnetwork.org

Brooke Wayne, editor-in-chief

elcome to our special collaborative issue with Toronto Public Health! What you are now holding in your hands is the product of several late-night meetings (with the help of lots of water, coffee and juice) as well as the sweat, tears and 100+ emails of our incredibly dedicated team of volunteers and staff. You all are amazing! Special thanks also goes to you, our dear readers, for reading our issues (both in print and online), emailing us with feedback, ideas and articles, and for being a part of social change. You all rock! For those who have been with us from the last recent issue and/or all the way back to FORUM’s inauguration, Linda Zhang has graciously passed FORUM over to me and is now our FORUM Advisor. As a Managing Editor for the past two years, I am honoured for this new opportunity (as well as for Linda’s continued guidance) in continuing FORUM’s great success. The theme of this magazine is especially important now that most of us are back in familiar territory: school season. That’s why we’ve especially gone to great lengths to write about loving

yourself, food and nutrition, physical activity, and mental health, as well as controversial topics like substance and alcohol abuse, and tobacco advertising. All these topics can help you to Be Your Best Self. These are all issues that are very much relevant to youth today, and quite bluntly, are some of the common challenges and frustrations we all will experience in one form or another. But that’s life. Nonetheless, please sit back, have a warm drink, get comfortable, and enjoy the labour of our love.

Contents Letter from the YHAN Sub-Editors

How Active are You?

Be Your Best Self

The Power of Sports

Relive, Retry, Redo

Outside Your Box

Food and Nutrition

Physical Activity and the Need for Curriculum Changes

4 6

Eat Right Puzzle

Substance and Alcohol Abuse

5 Tips to Prevent Junk Food Temptation

Ever Noticed?

Dear Cookie

Tobacco

Mental Health

STOM in Parkdale

Mental Health IQ

Hollywood and the Tobacco Industry

Depression

Letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Quit Smoking

The Kids are All Right

A Choice

Physical Activity

The Murky Aftermath: Smoking and Your Mental Health

Letter from the YHAN Sub-Editors

of one person in making a difference in their community. And because it’s simply a lot of fun!

orking on this Forum Magazine issue has been a truly remarkable and unforgettable experience for all of us. Through some serious brainstorming, debates and negotiations, we have generated creative ideas and solutions, all put together in this issue.

So if you agree with us on any of these points or have your own healthy solutions and ideas to share with others, speak up! Now is the time to do it. We would love to hear about your actions towards making Toronto a healthier city. You can reach us at www.toronto.ca/beyourbestself

This edition is not just an overview of the health issues affecting youth in Toronto and resources available. It is also a personal invitation to everyone to have an active and healthy lifestyle.

On behalf of the Youth Health Action Network, Sunita, Ksenia, Emily and Seemi

It’s been compiled by our fellow YHAN members, who have divulged their experiences, beliefs and ideas and now are sharing them with you through their articles.

Who is YHAN? The Youth Health Action Network (YHAN) is a Toronto Public Health youth engagement initiative. Youth ages 16 – 24 who live in the City of Toronto are involved in planning, coordinating and taking action on current and emerging health issues affecting youth in Toronto.

We are doing this because we care not only about our health, but also about the health of other youth in our city. Because we believe in the power

Want to join us? Contact YHAN by e-mail at beyourbestself@toronto.ca

Be Your Best Self The Be Your Best Self project aims to promote, create and strengthen youth engagement opportunities in Toronto. We inspire young people to take action on health issues, develop skills for college/university and employment, and just be their best selves. Using the latest social media platforms, we provide exciting opportunities to meet, communicate and partner with other youth and/or youth-serving organizations. Pictured left to right are YHAN BYBS subgroup: Danny Fee, Ksenia Bezverbnaya, Michael Dizon, Carey Macdonald, Greg Khaymov, Emily Pacheco. Absent: Nyla Obaid, Abhi Yogasegaran and Hanan Kulmiye. 3

Relive Retry Redo 4

BYBS Campaign Coming Soon! By Nyla Obaid

Here’s an interesting exercise:

irst, think of the absolute best day of your life. The best day in my life happened last year, filled with the sound of Atlantic waves, sunshine everywhere, and my best friends. Whatever your best day is, would you want the chance to live it again one more time?

Keke Zhou

Now, what was your worst day ever? That night at the hospital because of alcohol poisoning, my parents’ disappointed faces, and the concert I missed out on as a result still tops my list. It is a lot less fun to think about than the sounds of the Atlantic waves, but given the chance, I’d want to redo that day again and make better decisions instead.

BeYour Best Self is a campaign, a website with social media platforms (www.toronto.ca/health/beyourbestself), a promotional tool, and a builder of relationships. But most importantly, Be Your Best Self is a method of empowering youth (and everybody around them), in Toronto (and around the world) to Be Their Best Selves, each and every day. We promote health and wellness in many ways — by outreaching via our website and social media and attending events. Now…wouldn’t you like to have the opportunity to relive, retry, and redo your old successes and mistakes? We believe that the good days in the past should be celebrated, to motivate people to have more good days where they are their Best Selves.

We all have days that we’d like to do over again, if only given the chance.

We all have days that we’d like to do over again, if only given the chance. For good reasons or bad, maybe even today is a day you’d like to try again. While days or even moments cannot be relived in reality, we’d like to give you the chance to try again at Toronto Public Health’s Be Your Best Self project. In early 2012 we will be rolling out a whole bunch of cool things (including a contest!) that will help you call a “do-over!” to any day or moment you like.

What exactly is Be Your Best Self, and why are we even doing this? Be Your Best Self is a Toronto Public Health initiative, supported by the Youth Health Action Network (YHAN). The YHAN wants to mobilize and engage other youth to take action on health by connecting, building, and sustaining a strong, supportive youth network in Toronto.

As for the bad days? Well, what better way to Be Your Best Self than to fix an old mistake and live your bad day differently this time around? The new campaign will be launching soon, and we require your love and support. If you think this is a cool idea, get in on the action! Most importantly, keep thinking of those days that you’d like to give another try. We’ll soon be empowering you to make it happen! Be informed Join our mailing list by visiting our web site at: www.toronto.ca/beyourbestself Find us on Facebook, Twitter and Tumblr for inspiration.

The YHAN Food and Nutrition Subgroupâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s goal is to help youth to make healthy choices for themselves and their community. Members, left to right: Sunita Surendra, Jackie Anucha and Renee Campbell are developing a workshop for youth to develop life skills. Absent from the photo: Salieh Judieh, Donna Liao and Araf Khaled.

Eat Right By Renee Campbell The words in the double puzzle below all relate to healthy food options found in Canadaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Food Guide. The final word will provide you with information on how to make healthier food choices. Unscramble each of the clue words. Copy the letters in the numbered cells to other cells with the same number. Good luck!

FTA RFEE 1

KSMI KILM 14

TAWRE 4

FTRIU

LEACER 12

TUFO 3

Keke Zhou

GOTRYU 11

AYLEF SEBTEVGEAL 17

GLMUEES NAETUP RUETBT 2

WOELH NAIRG 15

STARNEADUUT AFT 8

CEHSEE 16

CUSCOOSU 9

Resources: Puzzlemaker at DiscoveryEducation.com (www.puzzlemaker.discoveryeducation.com/DoublePuzzleSetupForm.asp) Answers: fat free, skim milk, water, fruit, cereal, tofu, yogurt, leafy vegetables, legumes, peanut butter, whole grain, unsaturated fat, cheese, couscous. Final Word: eatrightontario.ca

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5 tips

to prevent junk food temptation By Sunita Surendra

Junk food can be part of a healthy diet, but only in moderation. Aim to eat a variety of snacks from the different food groups in Canadaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Food Guide.

Here are some simple tips to help you combat the junk food temptation while still having a delicious snack:

1 2 3

1. Carry healthy snacks such as granola, baby carrots, raisins, and nuts in case you get a case of the munchies. Go shopping for healthy food with your parents so you can stock your cabinets and fridge with healthy snack options to avoid temptation.

3. Make lunch the night before. Putting a lot more thought into your food choices beforehand means you will be less tempted to buy a quick hot dog from a corner stand.

4 5

4. Stay hydrated. Carry a water bottle. 5. Learn to moderate the amount of junk food you eat by writing it all down in a list. Knowing if you have a cake slice today, means it may be wise not to have another slice tomorrow. 8

ookie

C ear

Sunita Surenda

Zoe E isens tat

“Minds United Now” is the YHAN subgroup focused on spreading awareness about mental health issues pertaining to Toronto youth. The group wants to break the perceived stigma attached to mental health by uniting the voices of youth and organizations across the city. Their aim is to change Toronto into an environment where youth can feel free to address their own issues, and know how to get assistance without the fear of being judged. Members from left to right include Ashley Nana Agyapong and Salomeh Ahmadi. Absent from the photo: Hanan Ismail and Sundas Shamshad. 10

Mental Health IQ

Youth Awareness on Mental Health Access By Ashley Nana Agyapong, Minds United Now

n June 2011, Minds United Now, a youth-led initiative within Toronto Public Health’s Youth Health Action Network, set out to learn how students truly felt about “mental health” in a general sense, and what it meant to them in their daily lives.

say differently, since 63.6% of youth surveyed said that they would feel comfortable seeking help. There may be a stigma attached to mental health concerns. Out of the 36.4% of surveyed youth who said no to seeking help, the vast majority of them admitted that is because of their embarrassment and fear of being judged by either their peers or even doctors. One youth stated that because of this, they “do not trust anyone with [their] problems”.

Minds United Now sent out a survey to youth ranging in age from 16-24 years old from across the City of Toronto. The survey results were unsettling. When the questioned youth were asked “Do you know where to seek mental health information or support?” a startling 61.3% said “No”.

From the results, it was clear that youth feel that having a “mental health issue” meant having something that had to be clinically diagnosed and assessed by a physician, which is not the case.

The group questioned are at an age that is often associated with transitioning and self discovery. It is a time where many youth are preparing to graduate from secondary school, starting or finishing post secondary school, and finding a position in life. It can be an overwhelming experience.

A mental health issue is a broad term that can encompass something such as how to deal with stress to something like a disease such as schizophrenia.

Unfortunately, if youth wanted to learn how to deal with the stress that accompanies this, or simply seek advice and support, the majority would not be able to do so because they do not know where or how. This is disappointing, considering that there are many initiatives existing in Toronto that cater to these issues.

Very few youth surveyed, less that 10%, were aware of any of the free, confidential support groups/counselling available around the GTA. Minds United Now has concluded that in order to tackle the stigma against mental health, the group must begin first by educating youth, to spread the idea that it is okay to seek help with personal concerns, and that there is no need to fear being judged. Here are two resources:

One might think that youth do not know where to seek help because they simply do not want support. However, the results of the survey

Call the Distress Line at 416-408-HELP (4357) open 24 hours, service available in 151 languages, for free, confidential emotional support and crisis intervention. Visit Mental Health Service Information Ontario www.mhsio.on.ca, 1-866-531-2600, to access information about mental health resources in your community. Check the Be Your Best Self web site, www.toronto.ca/beyourbestself for the survey summary and updates about how the Minds United Now YHAN subgroup is progressing.

Keke Zhou

Depression By Sundas Shamshad

Darkness in my soul Darkness that surrounds me Whisper things I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t understand Creeping at me What if I had done this? What if I had done that? Monsters of my past all round me I need to get out I need to get clean Somebody help me Where is the light, where is the relief Can someone guide me? Aid is near only if I reach out Only if I seek help My darkness will turn into light Only if I just open my eyes

Note to readers: Call the free, confidential Distress Line 416-408-HELP (4357), available 24 hours every day, in 151 languages, for emotional support and crisis intervention.Â 13

s young adults, we have to juggle many responsibilities like school, social life, work and family, to name a few. On top of that, life throws us challenges and frustrations that are often unpredictable, and makes it difficult always to stay one step ahead. a

It’s safe to say it’s nearly impossible to abolish anxiety and stress unless we abolish life’s challenges. But that wouldn’t be the same. Without challenges to overcome, who are we really?

2. Talk it out. A trusted adult like a teacher, family member, or health professional can lend their ears to your concerns. 3. Eat healthy foods – more vegetables, nuts, seeds, legumes – and drink water. Junk food adds to the stress response in your body. Stress affects all systems including the body’s immune function. So cut down on the sugar, caffeine and junk food.

The Kids are All Right By Brooke Wayne It isn’t easy, and it can feel like it’s a superheroic feat at times, but we try to manage. But sometimes, we crack under the pressure.

4. Focus on doing things that you enjoy, whether it is reading comic books, listening to indie music, watching a movie, or cleaning your closet. 5. Get active. Your body needs to unwind, release tension and replenish. Pay a visit to the gym in your community centre, go for a morning jog, try yoga, or play some sports with your friends.

6. Join communities online or in person, like CAMH (Centre for Addiction and Mental Health). Sometimes just knowing that there are other people going through the same things you are makes you feel that you’re not alone, and communities often hold sessions and workshops with plenty of resources.

We all experience some form of anxiety or stress at times. There are situations in life that simply provoke this response in us, such as applying for jobs and getting rejected, studying for an exam the night before, or breaking up with a significant other.

More of these tips and tools can be found at comprehensive online resources such as CAMH at www.camh.net and the Canadian Mental Health Association at www.cmha.ca.

But you don’t have to wing it on your own. Here are some tips and strategies to help you to cope: 1. Identify what’s bothering you (through your body, emotions and/or behavior responses) so you can use these signals as signs that your mental health is changing. This allows you to know yourself, and know that the situation you’re in is affecting you negatively.

Remember, it is not okay if you feel overwhelmed or that you cannot cope anymore. If you are having these kinds of feelings, tell them to a trusted adult. It’s important to deal with your feelings appropriately. Knowing about your feelings and learning how to cope, including getting help if needed, means that you can be all right.

Activity

As we promote physical activity we encourage all youth to be physically active to improve their health. We are strong believers in an active lifestyle for everyone. We envision a barrier-free society where all people regardless of skill level and mobility can participate in physical activity. Our motto is, “Actions speak louder than words!” Pictured left to right: Cecilia Nguyen, Hassan Mahmood and Garnett Chin.

Keke Zhou

How Active are You? Physical activity has many benefits. It helps you maintain or achieve a healthy body weight. It reduces your risk of getting various diseases, like cardiovascular disease and certain cancers. It also decreases your stress level and it makes you feel better about yourself. By living a healthy active lifestyle, you can improve your overall quality of life. Take this quiz to find out if you are on the right track to leading an active lifestyle! Remember that it is never too late to change. Choose only one answer for each question to get the most accurate results.

1. How do you usually get to school or work? a) Get a ride or drive a car b) Take the public transit c) Walk or bike

4. It is a nice day outside. Out of the three following choices, what would you rather do? a) Read a book outside or lie down on a hammock b) Walk around the park c) Go swimming or play beach volleyball

2. What do you usually do when you get home from school? a) Get on the computer and watch TV b) Exercise a little c) Either participate in organized sports/ dance classes or work out in the gym

3. If you’re on the first floor of the mall and you need to get to the third floor, how would you get there?

5. How often do you participate in physical activity? (Some examples of physical activities include dance, yoga, pilates, biking, brisk walking, weight lifting, hula-hoop, sports, etc.) a) Rarely (less than 2 days/week) b) Sometimes (3-5 days/week) c) Every single day (60 minutes of moderate to vigorous intensity activity)

a) Take the elevator b) Walk up the escalator c) Take the stairs

RESULTS Mostly A’s: “Get up off’a that thing and dance ‘til you feel better!”

Mostly B’s: “Don’t stop ‘til you get enough!”

You are guaranteed to feel better about yourself once you start being a more active person.

According to the Canadian Physical Activity Guidelines, teenagers should spend at least an hour every day on participating in moderate or vigorous physical activity.

According to the World Health Organization, physical inactivity is one of the top five leading causes for global mortality. There are so many different ways to be active! You can walk a neighbour’s dog or participate in a pilates class. Do some household chores. Take the stairs instead of the elevator. Some physical activity is better than none. You are not an active person and you can change your lifestyle to improve your health.

Remember that the more active you are the more health benefits you will gain. You are putting in effort to be more active and that is a very good start to living an active lifestyle.

Mostly C’s: “Welcome to the good life! You are one active person! Good job for already living this active lifestyle. If you keep living like this, you will reduce your risks of having hypertension, a stroke, diabetes, breast and colon cancer and depression. If you keep it up, you may live a longer life.

The Power of

Sports By Cecilia Nguyen

ports have the amazing ability to unite everyone, regardless of barriers. Sports can also strengthen oneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s national pride. I will never forget the day the Canadian menâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s hockey team won the Olympic gold metal in 2010. I do not think a lot of Canadians will ever forget about that spectacular day.

Not only can sports foster communities, they can build up your character and improve your health. Sports allow everyone to be more self confident. The more you practice your skills, the more

Zoe Eisenstat

The moment when Sidney Crosby

scored the winning goal for Canada is the perfect example of how sports can bring a nation closer together. Millions of Canadians were so proud of their Olympic team and they were so proud to be a Canadian.

you realize how you are capable of so many things. Sports also teach you to trust in yourself more when you have to take necessary risks. They teach you to be more resilient and positive; you learn that if you do not succeed the first time, you’ve just got to try again. Team sports such as basketball, baseball, lacrosse, football and hockey are all vigorous physical activities. If you can

take part in sports for at least an hour every day as a teenager, you will gain many health benefits, like maintaining a healthy weight and reducing your risks of diseases related to physical inactivity. Sports definitely promote positivism. Unfortunately sport participation rates are declining in Canada. Hopefully you can get inspired to start participating in sports again.

Sports Trivia 1. Which of the following sports was invented in Canada? a) Basketball b) Baseball c) Hockey d) Cricket 2. Which of the following is Canada’s national summer sport? a) Field hockey b) Lacrosse c) Basketball d) Football 3. Which of the following is Canada’s national winter sport? a) Ice hockey b) Curling c) Figure skating d) Speed skating

4. According to CBC Sports, sport participation rates among Canadian teenagers over the past two decades have dropped by: a) 2% b) 9% c) 18% d) 31% 5. According to CBC Sports, sport participation rates among Canadian adults over the past two decades have dropped by: a) 3% b) 8% c) 17% d) 39% Answers: 1. a) 2. b) 3. a) 4. c) 5. c)

Ksenia Bezverbnaya

Outside Your Box

Feeling locked in the city? Need a breath of fresh air? By Ksenia Bezverbnaya

e spend an immense amount of our lifetime indoors. Full-time school, part-time job and volunteer commitments – every day is packed with something that keeps us stuck inside four walls. Plus, we live in a city, so naturally we are surrounded by urban landscape made up of glass and concrete. “I feel trapped,” you might say, “I need a breath of fresh air.” True. So do I. And so do a lot of other Torontonians. “But I don’t have time for it,” you will probably say. Well, this is something that can be fixed if you look at from a different angle. In fact, even 15 to 20 minutes spent outdoors daily will be beneficial to your physical and mental health. You can continue with all those daily activities that keep you preoccupied and incorporate outdoor time to keep you healthy and refreshed. According to the City of Toronto website, www.toronto.ca/toronto_facts/geography.htm, 18 per cent of the city’s territory is parkland. I personally find this fact truly remarkable and inspiring.

It did feel very different at first, as if my mind was awake more often and the thoughts were travelling faster through it. I suppose here I could go into scientific explanations of the benefits of oxygen for us as organisms, but I’ll just keep it simple because the state of feeling good is familiar to everyone. And this is exactly what I was experiencing after my walks. Little by little I got into a habit of taking short walks after work or school and started extending my distance. This summer I even walked a few times all the way from Queen’s Park to Eglinton West... and it felt great! I haven’t changed my schedule or bought a whole new sporty wardrobe to accommodate my increase in physical activity. Everything is still the same. Yet I’ve discovered a simple source of strength and refreshment that makes me feel remarkably renewed, ready for action, and able to cope with my daily tasks or problems faster. Walking gives me time to think over and weigh the things happening in my life while recharging the batteries.

Parkland is a resource which we have all the right to use actively and enjoy. It is not only for parents to take their kids out on a sunny day, for scientists to carry out conservation research or for couples to take their wedding pictures. Parks can be equally enjoyable and fun for everyone, regardless of age, professional occupation or social status.

There are a number of green spots I frequently visit in downtown Toronto, including Allan Gardens, Queen’s Park, Trinity-Bellwoods and Christie Pits parks, as well as Harbourfront and Lake Shore.

At some point it occurred to me that every day I automatically recycled my unnecessary school papers, food packaging and carried a reusable water bottle everywhere I went. But for some ironic reason I did not spend enough time outdoors to appreciate the trees and water that I was saving. Meanwhile, it is important to remember (not only mentally, but also emotionally), that nature can give us strength and relief, and we can get out there and enjoy what it is that we are trying to preserve. The steps I took to get back to nature started out slowly. First, I began to slow down when passing a local park and walking a couple of blocks instead of taking a bus or a streetcar.

Besides these, I try to take a few trips farther into the city several times a year. If you have never seen cherry trees bloom in High Park in spring or the beauty of Edwards Gardens in the fall, there is no doubt you are missing out. Visit www.toronto.ca/parks for a list of Toronto parks, walking trails and other outdoor spaces available for your enjoyment. Try to find a few hours on the weekend, grab your friends and go out for a picnic. Just pack a bag with your sun safety essentials: sunscreen, hat and reusable water bottle that you can take with you anytime. Then you can be spontaneous...just grab your bag and go! Visit www.toronto.ca/health/walkintohealth

Brooke Wayne

Physical Activity and the Need for Curriculum Changes By Danny Fee

he lack of physical activity among youth in Canada is a growing problem. Is this because youth aren’t healthy or simply don’t care about their health? It is a perplexing question to answer, but the statistics speak for themselves. According to an Active Health Kids Canada report card in 2011, Canada received an “F” for low physical activity, with only 7% of kids meeting the new Canadian Physical Activity levels.

a mandatory course but have the option of taking those classes in their remaining years of high school. Personally speaking, I strongly believe that we need changes in our education curriculum that require students to take Health and Physical Education for all four years of high school because it is beneficial to be physically active throughout your life. Governments have a lot to do in order to address the problems of physical activity. Fitness tax credits are the first steps to improving health and physical activity among youth in Canada but there is so much more to be done.

Some of the recommendations for action in the report include working closely with health professionals to communicate the importance of physical activity, and working closely with grassroots sport organizations to actively engage kids in sport. According to the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC), physical activity is beneficial to all age groups. PHAC states that developing health policies, encouraging health decisions and actions in schools, communities and households, and making healthy choices as individuals are all shared responsibilities. Health and physical activity is a priority that all youth can incorporate in their daily activities. Despite many initiatives such as ParticipAction and Sports Day in Canada, the problem seems to be getting worse rather than better. In Ontario, students are required to take Health and Physical Education in Grade 9 as

According to the Public Health Agency of Canada, new guidelines were developed earlier this year which recommended that children and youth between the ages of 5 – 17 have 60 minutes daily of moderate to vigorous intensity physical activity. But despite the constant reports, recommendations and improved guidelines are they really helping to guide youth to be physically active in life? As we move on in the future, there appears to be a great deal of work needed to get more youth to be physically active, including government policies to focus on health promotion and improved guidelines. Changing the curriculum to have mandatory physical activity throughout high school may be a good start.

Substance

and Alcohol Abuse

YHAN Alcohol Subgroup members, left to right: Aziza Farah, Ayesha Jabbar and Stanley Ing are working with Toronto Public Health Nurses on an alcohol media literacy workshop for students in grades 7 and 8, which focuses on advertising techniques the alcohol industry uses to influence youth to drink.

Ever noticed? By Ayesha Jabbar, Aziza Farah and Stanley Ing

ave you ever noticed how advertisements are everywhere we look? Ads are in magazines, newspapers, commercials during your favourite TV shows, the logo on your best friend’s pair of shoes, or in the lyrics of your favourite artist. Among these ads, one industry has a paramount presence – the alcohol industry, which employs exceptional marketing strategies to advertise their products, even when their claims may be deceptive or false.

L. Jackson. This associates alcohol with these celebrities, who many youth admire. Kilbourne would describe this as celebrity endorsement, a type of advertising technique that tries to manipulate youth into drinking by using celebrities as role models. Another technique spotted in this video is the use of associating fun and excitement with drinking. The setting of the video takes place in a nightclub with the young women and famous gentlemen dancing and drinking. Drinking is associated with having fun and increasing your sex appeal. It is associated with the myth that it is a “magical potion” that will transform you into a fun, attractive person whom the ladies will love 2.

Jean Kilbourne, author of “Deadly Persuasion: 7 Myths Alcohol Advertisers Want You to Believe”, names a few myths that you can spot in commercials, music lyrics and print ads. These myths include:

More severe consequences of drinking may also include vehicle crashes, physical or sexual assault, injuries, and alcohol poisoning.

the belief that surviving without alcohol is impossible drinking every day is normal drinking is a risk-free behaviour alcohol is a “magical drink” that will transform you sports and fun activities go well with alcohol, and finally that the alcohol industry is doing their due diligence by promoting drinking in moderation.1 These myths appear in all types of ads to try to influence youth to purchase alcohol and keep the industry alive and well.

Alcohol advertising is also in music videos and lyrics and has been a widely accepted practice. For example, the song by Jamie Fox called “Blame it on the Alcohol” has had massive success, with a whopping 11 million hits on YouTube. It definitely has a catchy up-beat tune to it that many youth love to sing and dance to daily. Throughout the video, many famous actors emerge, such as Jake Gyllenhaal and Samuel

This video uses many other advertising techniques, such as exaggerating the benefits of the product and making drinking seem cool and normal.

The lyrics also urge its listeners to “blame it on the a a a a a alcohol”. The myth of alcohol being a risk-free activity is prevalent in this song. There are times, however, when drinking can be dangerous and may have severe health, safety and injury consequences. Binge drinking in particular can result in slurred speech, poor judgment, impaired vision, and impulsive behaviour, with unintended consequences such as a hangover or regret the next day. Binge drinking is defined as drinking for the purpose of getting drunk. For males, five or more drinks is considered binge drinking, while it is four or more drinks for females. While being extremely unsafe, in a 2009 Ontario study, a quarter of students admitted to binge drinking at least once during the month prior to the survey. In addition, 10% of students reported being injured or injuring someone else as a result of binge drinking.3

More severe consequences of drinking may also include vehicle crashes, physical or sexual assault, injuries, and alcohol poisoning. To avoid the harmful consequences related to alcohol use, be extremely aware and critical when viewing alcohol ads. No matter in what form the product appears in the ad, the alcohol industry’s job is to try to sell you the product by all possible means, even if their claims may be false or deceptive. Your job is to be aware of their techniques, critique and analyze what the alcohol industry is advertising to you, and make your own informed choices. Next time you see an alcohol ad, ask yourself what is being advertised, why, and who is benefiting – you or the alcohol industry. For more information about alcohol and the industry’s advertising techniques type “alcohol myths lesson” into Google and click on the first link. Go to www.facebook.com/#!/ ithinkcampaign to help expose the tactics that industries like the alcohol industry use to market their products, especially to youth. References: 1 Kilbourne, J. (1991). Deadly Persuasion: 7 Myths Alcohol Advertisers Want You to Believe. Retrieved from:

www.mediaawareness.ca/english/resources/educational/ teaching_backgrounders/alcohol/deadly_persuasion.cfm 2 Media Awareness Network. (2010). Alcohol Myths. Retrieved from: www.media-awareness.ca/english/ resources/educational/lessons/elementary/alcohol/ alcohol_myths.cfm 3 CAMH. (2009). Ontario Student Drug Use and Health Survey. Retrieved from camh.net/Research/Areas_of_ research/Population_Life_Course_Studies/ OSDUS/ Highlights_DrugReport_2009OSDUHS_Final_Web.pdf

Tobacco

The YHAN tobacco subgroup aims to educate Toronto youth about tobacco’s influence in the media and how to detect it. We hope to prevent youth from using tobacco products by educating them about the health effects and social implications. Our most successful achievement so far was the “Smoke Free Movies Flashmob” in September where we gained public support to change the rating of films depicting tobacco use to 18A. Pictured left to right: Seemi Qaiser and Hibaq Gelle. Absent from the photo: Hao (Ethan) Li and Tsewang Dhargyal. 26

STOM in Parkdale By Tenzin Dudoul and Abisarikka Pillaiyinar

STOM

, which stands for Shake Tobacco Off Movies, is a project led by the Parkdale Newcomer Youth Committee. We all know that tobacco use is still an issue in our communities. It is considered to be the number one preventable cause of death in Ontario. In fact when we both arrived in Canada early this year, one thing that caught our eyes clearly was the cigarette butts thrown everywhere. We saw adults and youth smoking in the alleys, streets, and in the community and parks. To our amazement, we saw some small kids who are not even in the high school smoking! For a newcomer youth like us, it leaves a strong impression when we see smoking in our everyday environment like this. So the big question here is, “What are some things that influence youth to start smoking?”

and tobacco product s in movies may influence youth, who are eager to copy what the actors and actresses do. So if the actors in a movie are smoking, young kids see this as cool and before you know it, they are being influenced directly from what is on the screen. Personally, we always think it is unnecessary to include using any kind of tobacco in G, PG and 14A movies. It psychologically influences the young minds of our communities. In the STOM project, the youth learned about the hazards of consuming tobacco products and the negative consequences. The main objectives of this project included petitions to the Ontario Film Review Board to rate movies showing tobacco product placements as either 18A or R, and also have all theatres play antismoking ads prior to showing any movies depicting tobacco. The outcomes of the project were a documentary and an anti-smoking ad. The documentary explains the issues of tobacco use by giving an overview of STOM project. The anti-smoking ad demonstrates the negative impacts of product placement for teenagers and how youth may be easily influenced by movies into taking up smoking. We met different people on the street during the Toronto “Hot Doc” festival in the summer, and asked them to sign a petition if they agreed that smoking in movies influences youth. We are happy to let you know that we have received very generous support for our project. Everyone who shared their views on our advocacy topic received a STOM pen as a souvenir in appreciation for taking part, which made us proud to know that people are there to support us.

Movies are a popular source of entertainment for people. Everybody loves watching movies, from small kids to grownups. Product placement is a wonderful way for companies to make money without directly advertising to people. We can’t neglect the fact that showing smoking

We did our final presentation to an audience of over 80 community members on June 2 to premiere our STOM documentary and ad. It was a grand celebration, after several months of hard work by over 25 youth members led by Kalsang, our staff project manager.

At the Question and Answer session, members of the project were asked about our experiences with STOM. Many of us said that we initially didn’t realize how big of an issue tobacco use and product placement in movies was, but were astonished to see how serious it really is. Tobacco is the number one preventable cause of death. After being involved in this project, it is impossible to ignore the movie scenes where there is tobacco use. It’s also very surprising to notice how often these scenes occur in movies that are for children/youth such as the G and PG rated ones.

relating to health advocacy and specifically on smoking in movies because the problem is ongoing and affecting the health of our children and youth. To the best of our ability, we, the youth, want to make a difference in our world and reduce the negative influence of seeing smoking on screen. It will be real success for us if we can help motivate even one youth to live tobacco-free. Lastly we made a promise to ourselves that we will never smoke in our entire lives and we are sure that we can live up to our promise. Please access our STOM project videos at www.vimeo. com/ympp. Enjoy!

We hope to continue to work on more projects

Hollywood and the Tobacco Industry Bet you don’t know SPIT about smoking in movies By Seemi Qaiser

ohnny Depp’s animated film, “Rango,” caused a controversy earlier this year as the PG rated film features a villain lizard with a cigar.

United Kingdom, pour hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars into major motion pictures that depict smoking – potentially leading to thousands of new teen smokers every year. This is how the tobacco industry has formed a relationship with Hollywood and created a new medium for marketing tobacco products.

When criticized, Paramount defended itself by saying the main character, Rango, does not smoke – the ‘bad guy’ is smoking. Paramount stated that kids do not perceive villains as role models so they would not be tempted to smoke after viewing the film.

The Ontario Coalition for Smoke Free Movies, a collaborative project with various organizations including the Ontario Lung Association’s Youth Advocacy Training Institute and the Smoking and Health Action Foundation, offers a solution.

Smoke Free Movies, a project run by Stanton A. Glantz, PhD, Professor of Medicine at the University of California, replied by saying that the ‘bad guy’ in films has more of an influence on kids than the ‘good guy.’

The Coalition suggests increasing the rating of these films to “R” which means persons 18 years or older, or minors when accompanied by parents, may view the film.

Hollywood films have long been criticized for endorsing certain cigarette brands in their films and therefore, influencing kids through subliminal messaging. By using product placement, the tobacco industry makes hourlong advertisements out of films. This takes away from the creativity of the films.

The purpose of the “R” rating is to encourage parents to view the film with minors so they can explain certain scenes and answer questions to clarify any misconceptions. In this particular scenario, this would encourage parents to explain smoking and its health effects to their children.

Moreover, U.S. State governments, including California as well as others in Canada and the

The exceptions would be when showing

The Youth Health Action Network led the Smoke Free Movies Flashmob during the Toronto International Film Festival in September, to campaign to change the rating of films containing tobacco to 18A. YHAN was joined by youth from the Peterborough Health Unit.

historical figures smoking, or when the movie clearly depicts the dangers of smoking such as in “The King’s Speech.” This would help to ensure that the movie director considers smoking to be an integral part of the film and is crucial for the context in which it is portrayed or relevant to the plot line. This would also discourage the endorsement of cigarette brands.

Network), we seek to denormalize the tobacco industry by creating awareness for movie-goers to encourage them to spot the smoking scenes and perceive it as not normal. To get more dirt on the deal, read the article “Paramount’s “Rango” Has Lit Up a Smoking Controversy” at www.thewrap.com and visit www.smokefreemovies.ca.

The tobacco industry gains customers, especially children, through product placement in films which can contribute to an increase in tobacco product sales. Their target audience is young and more likely to be influenced by smoking than adults. If children and youth see cute animated characters smoking, this can make smoking appear cute and appealing to them. Defenders of portraying smoking in movies argue that the director has a creative licence because filmmaking is an art form. Unfortunately it is becoming more and more difficult to distinguish between artistic technique and paid advertising. Yet if the director is truly dedicated to the art form, prohibiting smoking should not get in the way of their artistic vision. In the same way that the public has concerns with violence and sexual content in movies, they should be concerned about tobacco use in youth-rated films, given how impressionable youth are. As members of YHAN (Youth Health Action

Let’s Quit Smoking By: Seemi Qaiser

ay back and BREATHE the air.

E T S Q U

asy come, easy go. Don’t worry about taking a smoking break, CONCENTRATE on your task. aste the difference with restored taste, SAVOUR an orange. TOP killing yourself.

uit NOW! have a CHOICE.

CARE about my future and my family’s.

ake CONTROL of relationships, dreams and LIFE!

S M O K

low down, now you have more TIME. ake room for ADVENTURE. pen NEW doors. ick out this DIRTY habit.

am in CONTROL.

N G

o smoking.

Zoe Eisenstat

ame OVER, Cancer.

A choice By: Seemi Qaiser

Punk rocker, fast talker, heavy smoker

Disguised in burning clouds, she exhales s.l..o...w....l.....y Blows swirls, which unfurl, and curl Into dragons, castles and maybe Prince Charming. Eyes itching, throat burning, heart leaking She does it for the high and because of boredom. Damp Monday, dull weekday, career day She lazily begins in the cancer ward. Sees a 5 year old, ice cold, eyes rolled...back. His lifeless eyes search the ceiling for meaning. He had no say, yay or nay, no okay for a disease to take his life, no choice. She freezes, breaks into pieces, then seizes The Moment. Stares into the mirror late at night. Takes a drag, her eyes sag, reads a mag RESTLESS. Goes to bed, can’t forget, will not let His face pierce through her eyes...it does. Changes side, tries to hide, Deep inside She knows, she’s got something he didn’t – a choice. She cradles, and twiddles, then fiddles, With the stick of poison which could determine her fate. Will it? Closes her eye, says good-bye, screams, “Why?” And chucks the pack. Recalls his face, quickened pace, his lost race against time. And the luxury of a choice.

The Murky Aftermath: Smoking and Your Mental Health By Salomeh Ahmadi Good news! Smoking is at an all time low in Ontario. According to Statistics Canada, in 2010 about 21% of people 12 years and older smoked. But the bad news are the negative health effects and addictive properties of smoking, especially smoking at an early age.

What does this mean for us as youth today? If we, or our friends, peers, someone at school or a sibling, starts smoking or is currently a smoker, it may not only be physically addictive, but it can seriously affect mental health too. What’s important is to inform our peers and take action to decrease exposure to smoking and second-hand smoke if we want to live in a healthier society. Stop smoking initiatives, anti-tobacco campaigns and youth-led health advocacy will continue to be important methods of health prevention and problem solving.

Cigarettes contain about 50 chemicals that can cause cancer. Even if you don’t smoke, when you are exposed to second-hand smoke, you breathe in deadly toxins that can cause respiratory problems and, over time, may even cause death.

If you are looking for ways to quit smoking, there are web sites, advice and support groups to help you or someone you know to quit.

There’s more. The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse (CASA) report titled Tobacco: The Smoking Gun, 2007, reveals links between smoking, addiction and mental health in teens.

Quit Smoking today! www.dontquitquitting.ca

So how is smoking linked to brain function you ask? Well, CASA’s research shows the relationship between smoking, especially at an early age, and mental health risks may be the result of critical changes in the brain when it is exposed to nicotine, which has over 4,000 chemicals in it, some of which are addictive. These potentially change the way information is processed or received in the form of brain chemicals. The addictive chemicals in tobacco products may block or slow down the process of healthy mental development.

www.smokershelpline.ca Check out our Be Your Best Self website www.toronto.ca/beyourbestself about how to be a part of the Youth Health Action Network.

References The National Centre on Addiction and Substance Abuse (CASA). (2011). Tobacco: The Smoking Gun. First published 2007. Retrieved from: www.casacolumbia.org/templates/ PressReleases.aspx?articleid=508&zoneid=65

CASA’s research reveals that youth who start smoking at age 12 or younger are almost twice as likely to report psychological distress (e.g. depression) as those who started smoking at age 16 or older (22.4 percent vs. 12 percent). People who start smoking earlier are more than two and a half times likely to report experiencing psychological distress than those who never smoke. Brooke Wayne

Depression has various symptoms and can be mild to severe, but it is more than just unhappiness or the case of “the blues”. It may last longer and may require treatment.

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