Examining the individual, community, and system-level impacts of innovative mental health and substance use services for youth in British Columbia: a multi-methods research program

In Canada and British Columbia, youth (ages 12-24) struggle to find health care for mental health and substance use concerns, like depression, vaping, and drinking.

In the last ten years, British Columbia has tried to improve access to care for mental health and substance use by launching integrated youth services. These bring together health and social services and providers, such as doctors, nurses, and counselors, that a youth might need in one place. While this might be a promising way to help youth, we do not currently have a lot of research about these services.

The goal of my research is to answer important questions about what impacts these new services are having on youth, communities, and the health care system and how we can improve these services. I will talk to youth, families/caregivers, service providers, and decision makers to hear more about their experiences with these services. I will also compare information, like the number of hospital visits, between youth who access the services and youth who do not access the services. I will work closely with youth, families, service providers, and decision makers so that my research answers the questions that are most important to them.