Collection of Sociodemographic Data in YWHO

Collection of Sociodemographic Data in YWHO

At YWHO, collecting sociodemographic information is considered important because it:

1. Allows us to identify which youth in our communities are being underserved, unserved, and overserved by our site;
2. Enables us to track inequities in service access and quality, and youth outcomes within and across sites. This data equips us with the information we need to respond to it by taking action to mitigate, reduce, and eliminate inequities; and
3. Standardizes the way we are capturing the data in and across all hubs in the province for youth mental health and access.

To highlight the important purpose and role you play in this work, watch Tamekia MizLadi Smith’s TED Talk clip on the How and Why of collecting sociodemographic data.

Is it legal to ask sociodemographic questions?

Yes. In fact, the Ontario Human Rights Commission strongly encourages organizations to collect and use demographic information to keep track of outcomes, experiences, and to promote equity.

At YWHO, we believe that we cannot fully understand youths’ service experiences without knowing more about who they are. While it can be invasive to ask these questions and sometimes feel like more work, when the data is used appropriately and ethically, it can be extremely beneficial to fight for better service and care for people on the margins.

Sociodemographic Data Collection

There are two (2) sociodemographic forms on My Wellness Passport:

1. Demographic Intake Survey: This form contains questions that are only asked once (usually at first visit) because the answer will not change. This includes questions around place of birth and sex at birth.
2. Demographic Survey: This form contains questions that are asked repeatedly because the answer may change. This includes questions around gender, sexual orientation and highest level of education.

It’s important for young people to have a chance to update their information as their situations can change.

1. On the first visit (clinical or non-clinical): Youth will be asked to complete all of the sociodemographic questions on both forms. 

2. After 90 days (3 months), give youth an opportunity to update their sociodemographic information. Suggested wording for sociodemographic data update: "Has anything changed about your sociodemographic information in the past month that may help us better serve you? Example: Housing situation has changed, employment status, etc."

Before we take a look at YWHO’s sociodemographic questions, we want to emphasize the importance of taking an individual, client-centered approach to our work with youth. No sociodemographic data survey can tell the full story of a person, and it is not meant to. Sociodemographic data collection is simply a tool to support us in working with each young person to understand and contextualize their unique stories, histories, experiences, strengths and needs.

To illustrate the importance of a person-centered understanding, hear Chimamanda Ngozi Adiche’s renowned TED Talk on the Danger of a Single Story.

The Questions:

1. Alternate Service Options (If YWHO was unavailable)
2. Sex at birth

3. Pronouns

4. Language

5. Found About this Centre Through

6. Immigration

7. Ethnicity, Race & Cultural Background

8. Gender Identity

9. Sexual Orientation

10. Postal Code

11. Disability

12. Housing Status

13. Education Status

14. Employment Status / Main Source(s) of Income

15. Legal Involvement