Transforming youth mental health: A Canadian perspective

S. N. Iyer*, P. Boksa, S. Lal, J. Shah, G. Marandola, G. Jordan, M. Doyle, R. Joober, A. K. Malla

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

30 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

In most mental illnesses, onset occurs before the age of 25 and the earliest stages are critical. The youth bear a large share of the burden of disease associated with mental illnesses. Yet, Canadian youths with mental health difficulties face delayed detection; long waiting lists; inaccessible, unengaging services; abrupt transitions between services; and, especially in remoter regions, even a complete lack of services. Responding to this crisis, the Canadian Institutes of Health Research announced a 5-year grant that was awarded to ACCESS, a pan-Canadian network of youths, families, clinicians, researchers, policymakers, community organisations and Indigenous communities. Using strategies developed collaboratively by all stakeholders, ACCESS will execute a youth mental healthcare transformation via early detection, rapid access and appropriate, high-quality care. The project includes an innovative, mixed-methods service research component. Similar in many respects to other national youth mental health initiatives, ACCESS also exhibits important differences of scale, scope and approach.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)51-60
Number of pages10
JournalIrish Journal of Psychological Medicine
Volume32
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2015

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© College of Psychiatrists of Ireland 2015.

Keywords

  • Canada
  • Early intervention
  • Mental health services development
  • Multi-stakeholder engagement
  • Youth mental health

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Applied Psychology
  • Psychiatry and Mental health
  • History and Philosophy of Science

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Transforming youth mental health: A Canadian perspective'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this