Collection of Sociodemographic Data in YWHO
At YWHO, collecting sociodemographic information is considered important because it:
- Allows us to identify which youth in our communities are being underserved, unserved, and overserved by our site;
- 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
- 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.
Video:
Tamekia MizLadi Smith’s Ted Talk clip:
Is it legal to ask sociodemographic questions?
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.
Frequency of Sociodemographic Data Collection
It’s important for young people to have a chance to update their information as their situations can change.
- On the first visit (clinical or non-clinical): Youth will be asked to complete all of the sociodemographic questions.
- After 30 days, 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."
Staff will be able to see the date of each visit on the YWHO Data Collection Platform. For more information, visit the Client Profile page.
The Questions:
- Pronouns
- Language
- Found About this Centre Through
- Immigration
- Ethnicity, Race & Cultural Background
- Gender Identity
- Sexual Identity
- Postal Code
- Disability
- Housing Status
- Education Status
- Employment Status / Main Source(s) of Income
- Household Income
