A qualitative study of Canadian mental health service providers’ perspectives on mental health guidelines for youth involved in the justice system

• Mental health assessment and treatment guidelines are lacking for YIJS. • There is a need for clear processes to move from principles to frontline practice. • The diverse and complex needs of YIJS should be a priority in guidelines. • Inadequate staffing, training and resources are a key challenge for MHSP. • The incorporation of youth and family voices into guidelines were recommended. Commonly, youth in the justice system (YIJS) experience mental health concerns that are often accompanied by an unmet need for mental health and substance use services. Currently, guidelines for mental health and substance use treatment for youth involved in the justice system are often unclear, particularly regarding how assessments and services should be implemented in practice. The current work focused on virtual semi-structured focus groups with 30 MHSP from two Canadian provinces to explore areas for improvement with respect to guidelines for mental health and substance use treatment for mental health guidelines for youth involved in the justice system. An integrated knowledge translation approach was also employed to maximize the relevance and impact of this research. There was a lack of clear guidelines for mental health services to youth involved in the justice system. While MHSP were guided in their work by broader principles such as trauma-informed care and client-centered care, a clear process outlining the path to frontline implementation when serving YIJS was lacking. Participants recommended the development of guidelines serving YIJS that consider the diversity and complex needs of this population, incorporate the voices of such youth and their families, and consider the diverse skills and resources of those involved in the provision of mental health services. Overall, this study supports the development of clear guidelines that can enhance mental health services and promote positive outcomes for youth involved in the justice system.