Young people’s experiences and strategies for improving their awareness and access to mental health and substance use health services
This study revealed key insights about post-pandemic MHSU service awareness and access for young people. Participants demonstrated desires for both autonomy in service selection and guidance from trusted sources, suggesting a supported decision-making model. Recommended service improvements include centralized information resources, stronger informal referral networks, culturally responsive services and flexible delivery options. Partnership with young people throughout the research process yielded valuable perspectives that enhanced study validity. These findings will inform Phase 2-the co-design of resources addressing the information gaps and structural barriers identified by participants.
Authors
- Christine Polihronis (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8537-0657)
- Natasha Saunders (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4369-6904)
- Rachelle Ashcroft (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5666-1946)
- Mario Cappelli (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6593-4133)
- Ashley D Radomski (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1491-3516)
- Paula Cloutier (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3095-1942)
- Matthew Menear (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0436-6574)
- Kayla Beaudin
- Charlene Shujie Song
Institutions
- Canadian Medical Association (CA)
- University of Toronto (CA)
- Agricultural Research Institute of Ontario (CA)
- Hospital for Sick Children (CA)
- Ontario Centre of Excellence for Child and Youth Mental Health (CA)
- Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists (CA)
- Université Laval (CA)
Publication Details
- Journal
- BMC Public Health
- Published
- 2025-11-26
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-025-25136-3
- Primary Topic
- Mental Health and Patient Involvement
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00
Funders
- Canadian Institutes of Health Research