Grant: Catalyst Grant: Patient-Oriented Research

Youth with mental health and/or addictions (MHA) concerns often fall through gaps between 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. Navigation is one model of support for youth and families trying to access MHA care. The Family Navigation Project (FNP) is a service in which Navigators work one-on-one with youth between the ages of 13-26 with MHA concerns and their families to help them find their way through the MHA system and get connected to the right care. Understanding how to best engage youth in navigation services will help ensure that these services are most helpful for youth and families. This project will involve two phases. First, we will conduct interviews and focus groups with youth, family members, Navigators, and other service providers who have successful youth engagement strategies, to understand the elements that may lead to effective youth engagement in navigation services. Then, we will use what we learned to implement a youth engagement strategy at the FNP, to test whether this leads to any changes in youth involvement in navigation, youth and family members' satisfaction with navigation services and the other services they are connected to, and how involved and in control they feel in the care process. We will also check if this results in more youth accessing services as a result of Navigation. Youth with MHA concerns and family caregivers 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 with MHA concerns and their families in need of navigation services.