Updated on 01 May 2026 at 15h55
This article written in french by Corinne Prince was automatically translated using AI
The results of the latest Quebec High School Students Health Survey (EQSJS) reveal a troubling picture for Laval, particularly regarding mental health.
The EQSJS asks students about their perspectives on three themes: physical health and lifestyle habits, social environment, as well as social adjustment and mental health.
Conducted every six years, this was the first edition carried out after the COVID-19 pandemic, a disruptive event that affected students’ perception of their school experience by 17.4%, their mental health by 15.9%, their physical activity habits by 21.6%, and their substance use by 4%.
The data in this article come from the EQSJS conducted by the Institut de la statistique du Québec (ISQ) from November 7, 2022, to May 17, 2023, involving 17 schools and 4,715 students in Laval.
“It is important to consider young people as a whole, both physically and mentally, because we know all of this is interconnected,” said Geneviève Parent, coordinator of the health promotion and prevention team in school settings at Laval’s Integrated Health and Social Services Centre (CISSS), while presenting the study’s highlights during the School Perseverance Days. “I think it will now be interesting to look at our institutions and what is already being put in place to support young people.”
Physical Health and Lifestyle Habits
Regarding eating habits, nearly one student in three starts each school day without having eaten breakfast, a proportion that has almost doubled since 2016-2017.
There has also been a significant decrease in the consumption of at least five servings of fruits and vegetables per day (51.4% compared to 31.4%), an increase in daily consumption of sugary drinks, snacks or sweets (16.7% versus 24.5%), and a decrease in junk food consumption three times per week (12.8% compared to 9.9%).
Three students out of four do not meet physical activity recommendations. Even more concerning, more than half of surveyed students are little active, very little active, or sedentary.
60.4% of students say they are dissatisfied with their body shape, an increase of nearly 13% since 2010-2011. Boys are more likely to want a larger body shape, while girls tend to want to be smaller.
Unsurprisingly, the proportion of high school students spending more than four hours per day in front of a screen has increased. 24.2% are affected for school-related activities, and the figure rises to 29.4% for communication and leisure use.
Regarding sleep, more than half of respondents sleep fewer hours than the recommended duration, a percentage that is increasing. Laval scores lower than the rest of Quebec on this metric, and girls are more affected.
The region, however, obtained encouraging results regarding substance use. 30% of students reported consuming alcohol in the past year, a statistic that has declined significantly since 2010-2011. Meanwhile, 12.4% reported drug use and 11% cannabis use.
Only vaping has increased, with 10.1% of students having used e-cigarettes in the past 30 days, representing a 1.5% increase compared with 2016-2017. The increase reaches 5.5% among girls.
Social Environment
The perception of receiving strong social support has declined since 2016-2017.
Students were asked here about caring and encouraging people they can rely on, who provide care, attention, interest, listening, and help within their family, friend group, or community and school environments.
The proportion of high school students with a strong sense of belonging to their school has also declined since 2010-2011. 33% reported a strong attachment, lower than the rest of the province. Girls and senior-level students are particularly affected.
Laval has recorded an increase in meaningful participation in the school environment, with 60.3% of students reporting a high or moderate level. This rate has improved since 2016-2017, while still remaining lower than Quebec overall.
School engagement was also assessed, notably because it is one of the best predictors of potential dropout. In the region, 24.5% of students reported low engagement, 57.7% moderate engagement, and 17.7% high engagement.
Social Adjustment and Mental Health
One student in three has low self-esteem, a phenomenon much more significant among teenage girls (45.6%). This proportion rose from 19.1% in 2010-2011, to 24.6% in 2016-2017, reaching 33.1% in the latest study.
The high level of psychological distress is also concerning, reported by 40.8% of students. Nearly 60% of girls are affected, while this is the case for only one boy in four, and distress increases with grade level. This statistic has risen since 2010-2011 in both Laval and Quebec.
Diagnoses of mental disorders have increased in the region since 2010-2011, but have remained stable since 2016-2017, except for eating disorders. 32.1% of youth say they experience generalized anxiety, and 63.8% eco-anxiety.
Finally, the EQSJS paints an alarming picture of violence at school, online, and in romantic relationships.
Actions
In light of these results, Geneviève Parent concluded her presentation by identifying two new priorities: digital balance and the health of young adults, including those who are not in school.
The importance of strengthening existing actions in global health promotion, prevention, fighting cyberbullying, and reducing e-cigarette use was also emphasized.
Concretely, this applies in Laval schools through the Projet Épanouir framework of the Ministry of Health and Social Services (MSS), published in 2022. This document encourages upstream action and the promotion of positive mental health in schools.
Laval’s CISSS has created youth collaboration teams working in each school in the sector, in partnership with school staff. Together, they meet regularly to assess the situation and implement action plans based on students’ specific needs.
“Our target is to promote mental health,” said the coordinator. “Mental health is not only about ensuring there are no disorders or difficulties, but also about helping young people develop their personal and social skills. We want youth to develop the skills to face life, and to ensure that their environment—whether school, community or family—is supportive of their health and well-being.”
The EQSJS data partly guide these teams, but on-the-ground realities remain the priority according to the varied needs emerging directly from schools.
The active participation of youth and the involvement of community organizations near schools are encouraged and considered success factors.
For its part, the Laval School Service Centre (CSSL) is promoting its Hors-Piste program, deployed in collaboration with the CISSS.
“The results of this survey speak to us and confirm that the work carried out every day at the CSSL by our school teams and partners is essential,” said Yves Michel Volcy, Director General of the CSSL. “Initiatives such as the Hors-Piste workshops are part of this commitment to support adolescents and provide them with the tools needed to meet today’s challenges. Let us not forget that behind every statistic, there are students living complex realities who need a safe, caring, and stimulating school environment.”
Hors-Piste is currently implemented in 12 high schools and 40 elementary schools in Laval.
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