COVID-19 resources for youth, students and young adults

How to prevent the spread of COVID-19, tips for taking care of your health, and information on online safety and financial support.

On this page

• Reduce the spread of COVID-19
• Physical distancing
• Stay healthy
• Taking care of your sexual health
• Get financial help
• Be safe online
• For youth experiencing family violence
• For Indigenous youth

Reduce the spread of COVID-19

Young Canadians play a critical role in reducing the spread of COVID-19.

Follow these health and safety measures to protect yourself, your friends, family and people at high risk for severe illness in your community.

• Stay home if you're sick.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
  • Use hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol if soap and water aren't available.
• Cough and sneeze into a tissue or the bend of your arm.
  • Throw away used tissues in a lined garbage can and wash your hands right away
• Stick to a small and consistent social circle.
• Practise physical distancing by keeping a 2-metre distance from others (outside of your social circle).
  • Wear a non-medical mask or face covering when:
    • physical distancing isn’t possible, particularly in crowded public settings 
    • you’re indoors in public spaces
    • required by the business or local public health authority
• Avoid high-risk settings and activities. 

Still have questions? Find answers in the COVID-19 youth interview series.

Physical distancing

You can have COVID-19 and spread it to others even if you aren’t showing any symptoms, like a cough, difficulty breathing or a fever. Physical distancing is proven to be one of the best ways to help reduce the spread of COVID-19.

Some places and activities have started to open up in areas of the country. It’s still important to maintain physical distancing, stay away from crowded places and gatherings, and be mindful of the risks that certain activities carry.

Follow your local public health guidance on the number of people that can gather in one place at one time.

Going out? Keep yourself and others safe.

Stay healthy

It's okay not to be okay, especially when it feels like the world has been turned upside down. Many people are feeling lonely and isolated, and may be experiencing anxiety, grief, frustration, sadness and irritability. It's important to remember that this situation won't last forever and to take care of your mental and physical health by:

• taking breaks from social media and the news
• focusing on the good things and looking for positives in each day
• spending time doing things you enjoy, starting a hobby or learning a new skill
• asking for help and talking to a trusted adult

Stay connected with your friends and extended family through:

• texts
• email
• phone calls
• video chats
• social media platforms

You can also take care of your physical and mental health by keeping healthy habits and a regular routine, such as:

• eating well
• being active
• getting enough sleep

Taking care of your sexual health

Sexual health is an important part of overall health and wellbeing. During the COVID-19 pandemic, balance your decisions about sex with personal and public health. Consider starting with virtual dating and then meeting for the first time in an outdoor location.

Sexual activity increases your risk of getting or spreading COVID-19, even if the people involved have no symptoms. If you decide to have sex with someone outside of your small and consistent social circle, regardless of their sex or gender, take steps to reduce the risk to yourself and others.

• Monitor yourself for symptoms and don’t have sex if anyone is feeling sick.
• Limit the number of new sexual partners.
• Be aware that some people may be at higher risk for more severe outcomes of COVID-19 including:
  • older adults
  • people who have a weakened immune system
  • people who have underlying medical conditions
• Limit your use of alcohol and other substances, so you and your partners are able to make safe decisions.

Practise safer sex and get tested for sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

For more information on how to protect your sexual health during the COVID-19 pandemic, visit:

• CATIE: Canada’s source for HIV and hepatitis C information
• SIECAN: Sexual health and COVID-19 (PDF)

Get financial help

The COVID-19 Economic Response Plan is for Canadians who need financial help. For students and youth, this includes:

• The Canada Emergency Student Benefit: get financial support if you’re unable to find work due to COVID-19.

You can also look into suspending your student/apprentice loan interest and repayments.

Be safe online

We've seen an increase in reports of harmful phishing campaigns and malware scams related to COVID-19. Learn how to protect yourself against online scams.

Misinformation about COVID-19 can also be harmful. Check your sources before reading and sharing articles with others. Visit Check First, Share After to learn how you can stop the spread of COVID-19 misinformation.

For youth experiencing family violence

If you're experiencing violence or abuse at home, you should seek help at a time and place that's safe for you.

Visit our family violence youth site to learn more, and to find a list of who you can talk to.

For Indigenous youth

• COVID-19 and Indigenous communities: Learn how the Government of Canada supports First Nations and Inuit communities in preparing for, monitoring and responding to COVID-19.
• Hope for Wellness Helpline: Mental health counselling and crisis intervention for Indigenous peoples across Canada.
• Canadian Red Cross: COVID-19 resources for Indigenous youth.
• We Matter: Indigenous youth support.

Videos

Learn how you can help keep your family and community healthy and safe:

• Physical distancing: Stop the spread of COVID-19 in Indigenous communities
• Keep it clean: Stop the spread of COVID-19 in Indigenous communities