Project 461102

Youth with mental health and/or addictions (MHA) concerns often fall through gaps in care settings and systems, which can negatively impact their long-term outcomes. Many youth may also have family members involved in their care, yet their families might not know where to turn for support in finding the best resources for the youth and for themselves, when needed. With increases in mental health challenges and changes to the availability, delivery format, and accessibility of MHA services as a result of the pandemic, families of youth in need of MHA care may be experiencing considerably greater difficulties finding and connecting with appropriate supports. There needs to be resources for youth with MHA concerns that support care transitions, continuity, and integration now and in the future. Navigation is one such model of support. Navigation for youth experiencing MHA concerns has shown significant promise and has been gaining traction across Canada, however, it is important to understand the features, approaches, and outcomes navigation supports to ensure that these services are most helpful for youth and families. This project is a realist review and synthesis, which will highlight current evidence and approaches in youth MHA navigation, in order to develop standards that will identify and inform promising practices in navigation services for equitable access to quality MHA care. Individuals with lived experience, navigators, and navigation program leaders will be involved every step of the way, so that we know we are asking the right questions, understanding what we are learning, and using the findings in a way that can best support youth in need of MHA care and their families. We will share our findings through academic channels; webinars for various audiences; an informational resource toolkit for youth, family, service providers, and system decision-makers; and by offering summaries and presentations to navigation programs with an interest in the findings.