CHART Lab – Data for Action

Who are we?

Welcome to the CHART Lab

The CHART Lab is an interdisciplinary team working together to promote life-long mental health and well-being, beginning with children and youth. Led by Dr. Hasina Samji, the team includes specialists in epidemiology, child and youth psychology, education, health sciences, and public health. The CHART Lab aims to identify social and structural determinants of mental health and mobilize research into action to promote social justice and collective well-being.

Promoting health & well-being through data collaboration community engagement

2024 ydi provincial report

The 2024 YDI Provincial Report is now available!

In 2024, the YDI was completed by over 17,000 in 31 school districts and 31 independent schools across B.C. Since piloting in 2020, over 43,000 secondary students have completed the YDI. Between 2021-2023, YDI data showed a decline across several areas of youth health and well-being. This year, there are shifts in the other direction. For instance, 40% of youth who completed the YDI in 2023 reported high levels of optimism, versus 46% this year. Improvements were also seen in general mental health, physical health, life satisfaction, young people’s roles in their communities, and several other measures.

While these data are promising, they also highlight ongoing gaps in structural support for young people and inequities in which youth are thriving. We hope this report will support your continued efforts to enhance youth well-being throughout the province.

Check it out!

FEATURED NEWS

2024 CHART Lab Symposium Series: Check out the session recordings!

This year, the CHART Lab hosted three symposium sessions focused on youth well-being, social connection, and school-based mental health promotion. Highlights included insights from the 2024 Youth Development Instrument (YDI), youth-adult dialogues, and expert panel discussions. Learn more here.

New podcast episode: The Role of Schools in Promoting Protective Factors for Students

Dr. Hasina Samji, along with Silas—a member of the CHART Lab’s 2024 Youth Advisory Council—and Dr. Nathan Ngieng, Deputy Superintendent of the Abbotsford School District, participated in the eighth episode of Kelty Mental Health’s “Where You Are” podcast series. They discussed how schools can promote students’ well-being by fostering a sense of belonging, nurturing meaningful relationships, and amplifying students’ voices. As Silas highlighted, “one thing that staff can do and continue to do is to look for opportunities to make students feel welcome and to create community within their classroom.“

Listen to the full episode here.

YDI 2024 school district reports are now available!

In 2024, we heard from 17,076 young people in 31 school districts and 31 independent schools across BC about what matters for their health and well-being.

Check out the YDI 2024 school district reports here.