Grant: Project Grant

Mental health problems are the leading health challenge facing young Canadians, with 13% of children aged 4-17 years, or nearly 700,000, experiencing clinically-significant mental disorders at any given time. To more effectively address this issue, children's mental health leaders argue for a public health approach including promotion, prevention and treatment within a "healthy public policy" framework. However, while advances have been made in prevention and treatment, promotion has yet to receive sufficient attention. This study will address critical gaps in children's mental health policy in Canada. Collaborative research approaches will be used in British Columbia and Alberta study sites to engage young people to: 1) enhance understanding of the factors influencing children's mental health; 2) build children's capacity to engage in policymaking processes; 3) develop a testable framework for collaborative policymaking with young people; and 4) explore feasibility of proposed approach. Mixed methods incorporating qualitative and quantitative data collection and analysis will ensure a comprehensive approach to addressing study objectives. This study will address Canada's children's mental health shortfalls - by contributing new evidence on processes for engaging young people in developing new policies to promote children's mental health outcomes.