A new UNICEF report says children and youth consider holistic health, having a sense of belonging and being treated with respect among the factors that are important to their happiness and well-being.

The report, entitled “My Cat Makes Me Happy: What children and youth say about measuring their wellbeing” highlights the findings of six workshops held across the country, in which young people discussed what mattered to their happiness.

The report found that economic opportunities, access to activities and education, and not facing discrimination were also priorities for youth well-being—as were positive friendships, having a permanent, caring adult in their lives, future opportunities, and safe environments.

When assessing well-being, researchers often look at objective measures like physical health, grades, obesity rates, screen time—“things that are really measurable,” said Alli Truesdell, UNICEF Canada’s Youth Participation Lead.

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