S1. Ep. 8: Injury & Low SES (Youth Voices Series)

The Injury is NOT Equal podcast introduces you to another episode of YOUTH VOICES, a special series. These episodes are from YOUTH, for YOUTH, and fully developed and produced by YOUTH.

**The views, information, or opinions expressed during Injury Is NOT Equal (including Youth Voices) are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre or its host.**

DISCLAIMER: A warning to our listeners, this episode contains conversations about mental illness, violence, suicide and trauma. LISTENERS’ DISCRETION IS ADVISED!

This episode brings a fresh new prospective, highlighting factors associated with youth living in low socio-economic status households that may be unfavorably vulnerable to injury-risk.  This team of 4 Toronto based student, explore brain development; mental and physical health disadvantages and they specifically comment on their experience with public educational cuts and youth supports that have been recently dissolved, overall pointing out its negative impact on youth living in low socio-economic status communities.

Call to action:
We hope we opened your eyes to the idea that there are many factors that influence and increase one’s susceptibility to injury and trauma. One thing we learned is that cuts to programing and services only harm those who are most in need, especially youth.

If you, or anyone you know is struggling due to mental illness or is in need of help, please know there are assistance and supports available for ALL in our community. Don’t be afraid to ask for help!  Let’s take care of ourselves and one another!
If you are in immediate DANGER or fear for your safety, please CALL 911.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• CBC article- Ontario government cuts $25M in funding for specialized schools
• Adolescent development and risk of injury: Using developmental science to improve interventions
• Socioeconomic status and non-fatal injuries among Canadian adolescents: variations across SES and injury measures
• Association of Severe Trauma With Work and Earnings in a National Cohort
• Age-Associated Executive Dysfunction, the Prefrontal Cortex, and Complex Decision Making
• Disparities in Adolescent Health and Health Care: Does Socioeconomic Status Matter?
• Stanford News: Embracing stress is more important than reducing stress

Special thanks to Nathalie Barsoumian the TDSB Experiential Learning Educator for her support. 

Guest Hosts and Producers of this Episode:
Ahmed Elshafey
Summer-Rainne Loehl
Rosalind Hanson
Alicia Maameri

Podcast Produced By:
Centre for Injury Prevention
Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre

Music: 
Klimenko Music at Premium Beats
Alexander Blu Music at Orangefreesounds.com