Grant: IYS-Net Phase 1: Building Learning Health System Net. - Stream 1 Network Grants

This project focuses on addressing the mental health of Indigenous youth in Canada. Adverse childhood experiences, compounded by historical and systemic factors, limited health services, and cultural barriers, contribute to mental health challenges. Through the collaboration of diverse stakeholders and guided by Indigenous principles, the project aims to build on the work of the ACCESS Open Minds Indigenous Council, and develop culturally grounded processes for a learning health system (LHS) for integrated youth services (IYS) that prioritizes Indigenous self-determination and cultural safety. The objectives of this project are to: 1) focus on building trust and strengthening relationships with Indigenous youth and communities to develop culturally grounded LHS processes for addressing youth mental health; 2) develop and learn from LHS service practices from the perspectives of Indigenous youth; 3) collaboratively enhance the capacity of the Indigenous IYS network in utilizing wise data and knowledge practices to improve services; and 4) facilitate capacity- and leadership-building among Indigenous youth through research training and hands-on experience in projects on IYS and LHS processes in Indigenous contexts. Our team will utilize an Indigenous Implementation Framework and a multi-phase, multi-method approach to achieve these objectives. The results aim to increase the adoption of wise practices, generate real-time data owned by Indigenous communities and organizations, and provide culturally affirming and responsive services for Indigenous youth.