What's it gonna take? Lessons learned for youth-friendly mental health services research

Chiachen Cheng^1*Hafsa Siddiqui¹Arianne St. Jacques¹Sumit Kumar²Kyle Vader¹Madyson Campbell¹Sabrina Maisonneuve¹Elizabeth Minnery³

• ¹Northern Ontario School of Medicine University, Sudbury, Canada
• ²none, Thunder Bay, Canada
• ³none, North Bay, Canada

INTRODUCTION: Over half of the children and youth with mental illness receive appropriate or adequate treatment in both Canada and the US1-3. The burden of mental illness and substance use is the leading cause of disability due to years lost to disability4, leading to the youth mental health crisis2. Despite ongoing efforts to improve mental health and substance use services, many youth disengage prematurely, with evidence that this leads to poorer outcomes. In this paper, we explore the question: how to use youth-friendly methods in research for service improvement. METHODS: We used innovative and participatory-action mixed methods. Youth between the ages of 12 and 25, with lived experience accessing mental health and addiction services were recruited for focus groups; the focus groups were stratified based on their level of service needs. The data was analysed using thematic analysis. The themes were interpreted into a fictional narrative summarized in an animated video. This video was embedded in a survey that was sent to the participants. The purpose was to validate the analysis and explore the factors which lead them to participate. A descriptive analysis of the quantitative data, and inductive content analysis of the qualitative data was completed of the survey. RESULTS: 44 youth completed the screening to stratify level of need. 14 youth participated in 3 pilot focus groups and another 24 participated in 4 focus groups stratified by need. The mean age was 22.3 years, and 78% identified as male, and 22% female. Youth friendly research was the main theme, with 2 main sub-themes: youth want to participate in research, and there were strategies for research approaches involving youth service-users. Fundamentally, choice throughout the process was important. CONCLUSION: Youth service-users want to be engaged meaningfully. Youth are not afraid to speak their truth and want opportunities to provide their unique perspectives. Service improvements from youth service-user feedback may lead to improved outcomes with full treatment because youth remain engaged with services. Service improvement may need youth-friendly research.