Social Issues
For Students / Pour les élèves
What is a Social Issue?
Social issues happen when people in your community face barriers to having everything they need for a healthy and independent life: financially, emotionally, physically, socially and mentally. Social issues affect individuals, families, and communities as a whole: they are problems that prevent your community from working as well as it can for everyone who lives there. Check out these resources to learn more about some of the social issues chosen most often by YPI students. These pages aren’t intended to tell you everything you need to know, but offer a general introduction to help you decide what topic to choose, and get started on your research. There are lots of social issues you can choose beyond the ones listed on this page, including:- Mental Health
- Support Animals/Welfare
- Political Instability
- Food Insecurity
- Senior/Elder care
- Education/Literacy
- Child & Youth Development
- Refugee/Newcomer Support
- Indigenous Culture & Rights
- LGBTQ+ Inclusion
We plan to add more of these resources in the future. If you have a suggestion for what issues we should cover next, drop us a line at info@goypi.org
Learn About a Social Issue:
The Non-Profit Sector
Learn some general information about the non-profit sector, what makes something a charity, and bust some myths about non-profit careers.
Addiction and Substance Use
Learn about some of the causes of addiction, social stigma, and different approaches to treatment and support for individuals.
Gender-Based Violence
Also known as domestic violence, domestic abuse or violence against women, learn why it happens and how it affects women in Canada.
Homelessness
What is homelessness, how do people become homeless, and what can being done to help people without homes.
Poverty
Learn more about what causes poverty, who it affects, and how poverty impacts on a person’s overall wellbeing.