The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) has released four new videos about youth mental health on YouTube for World Mental Health Day. The videos — a follow-up to the hospital’s 2024 partnership with YouTube Health to combat misinformation on the most-searched mental health topics — tackle cannabis use and sleep behaviours in youth.
The release is part of an expansion to YouTube’s Teen Mental Health Shelves, launched last fall. Teen Mental Health Shelves are a built-in YouTube feature that surfaces age-appropriate, teen-centric content for younger users looking for mental health and well-being content.
“CAMH has a long-standing commitment to advancing youth mental health through research, clinical care, and meaningful partnerships. As a leader in the field, we’re proud to support youth and demystify mental health care through access to accurate and high-quality health information at their fingertips,” says Lori Spadorcia, Senior Vice President, Public Affairs & Partnerships and Chief Strategy Officer, CAMH.
In late August, CAMH released findings from the latest Ontario Student Drug Use and Health Survey (OSDUHS) the longest-running ongoing school survey of adolescents in Canada, and one of the longest-running in the world. Findings indicate most students (59 per cent) get less than eight hours of sleep a day, and though cannabis use has decreased significantly (12.3 per cent in 2025, compared to 17.6 per cent in 2023), there is a strong association between cannabis use and risk of psychotic disorders in adolescents — highlighting a need for preventative care and early intervention.
“Our new content for YouTube’s Teen Mental Health Shelves focuses on sleep and cannabis use, giving teens accessible, evidence-based information about their mental health when they may not be ready to talk to someone,” Lori shares.
OSDUHS data indicates digital technologies are an embedded part of daily life for many young people, with one-quarter (25 per cent) of students surveyed reporting they spend five hours or more per day on social media, while more than three-quarters (78 per cent) spend three hours or more in front of an electronic screen in their free time.
“We know young people turn to online platforms every day for information, including for mental health advice. By bringing our expertise to YouTube, we can empower them with trusted, reliable information to make informed decisions for their health and well-being – and help build healthier communities across Canada.”
The videos, part of the CAMH Youth Mental Health playlist on YouTube, feature advice from CAMH experts to help youth improve their sleep habits, understand the risks of cannabis use, and suggest coping strategies for managing cannabis consumption. Visit CAMH on YouTube to watch:
- How Do I Know If I Have A Problem With Weed?
- Why Does It Feel Like Weed Is Too Strong Now?
- Why Can't I Sleep?
- How Can I Cope After A Sleepless Night?
For more helpful tools for managing youth mental health, visit these resources: