The Healthy Social Environments (HSE) Framework is a user-friendly, evidence-based, and expert informed tool that builds on recommendations offered in the Healthy Built Environment Linkages Toolkit. It describes the social and built environment as inextricably connected and mutually reinforcing. Please watch the video: An Introduction to the Healthy Social Environments Framework
Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) partnered with BC Healthy Communities to create a series of guides (https://bchealthycommunities.ca/index.php/child-and-youth-mental-well-being-resources/) to help local governments understand how to promote the mental well-being of children and youth through existing roles and assets. The guides include research, examples and information sources to inform and inspire action on key protective factors that young people need…
Relationships are one of the strongest predictors of children’s well-being throughout life. Studies have also found that a strong sense of belonging is associated with high self-rated mental health, even when controlling for geography and socio-economic status. Local governments can strengthen social connectedness and belonging for young people through initiatives that enable neighbourhood social cohesion,…
Safety includes both actual and perceived physical, psychological, and social safety experienced at home, school, and in community. Local governments can work towards creating public areas that are safe for children and youth while also implementing policies that respond to larger societal threats like racism, discrimination, poverty, inequality, and climate change. This is the link…
Play is essential for child development. It promotes mental well-being through brain development, stress relief, physical activity, and time outdoors. Local governments can create and maintain spaces and provide opportunities for all kinds of play – and not just in typical designated play places and programs. This is the link for Protective Factor: Play. You…
When children are given opportunities to participate, they feel a sense of belonging and agency; and, that they are part of something bigger than themselves. They also gain skills that allow for more meaningful contributions to society. Local governments can create welcoming and inclusive environments that include children and youth in planning, decision-making, and governance,…
The introduction section in the guide gives a brief overview of how local governments influence the mental well-being of children and youth within their scope and existing mechanisms, how local governments benefit from this, the critical role of quality adults in young people’s lives and the importance of reducing disparities. Given that all local…
Island Health is looking to partner with local government, community organizations and Aboriginal communities through their Community Wellness Granting Program. The program is available to groups doing work related to population health and health and wellness, and is a chance for Island Health to collaborate with community partners to positively influence individual and community well-being….
This PlanH short video showcases the powerful work being done on the City of Vancouver’s ‘A Healthy City For All’ strategy – an integrated, multi-sectoral approach to collaboration towards a healthier city. The initiative includes 13 goals, with associated targets and indicators to track progress and outcomes over ten years. With goals including affordable housing…
Vancouver’s The Greenest City Fund supports projects that help work towards Vancouver becoming the greenest city in the world by 2020. Since 2012, they’ve funded about $2 million to over 600 projects in partnership with the Vancouver Foundation, including 609 neighbourhood small grants, 63 community grants and 93 Green Generation grants. Applications are open between February…