Youth on the street have different resources and skills to deal with life s challenges. Tobacco is the most common and hazardous substance used in adolescence. In 1991, an estimated 36,325 deaths in Canada were directly attributable to tobacco use. The risk conditions that create vulnerability to suicide must be reduced. Suicide is the second leading cause of death among young people aged 15 to 24, and represents enormous human costs to families, as well as costs to society in terms of lost economic productivity and potential.88 The rate of suicide for Aboriginal adolescents is almost nine times the national average.
Aboriginal adolescents are also at a disadvantage for mental and physical health problems.
Key factors in youth health include a caring family, other supportive people outside the family unit, personal skills and a sense of purpose and meaning. Mentors who offer personalized support to youth promote their competence. Successful school retention programs build academic and life skills. Non-judgemental, accessible and culturally relevant support and education services can buffer the negative effects of street life. Structural and environmental changes also were important.