Grant: Master's Award: Canada Graduate Scholarships

Approximately 20% of children and youth experience mental health disorders causing them significant impairment before they reach the age of eighteen and at any one time, the average community prevalence rate for mental disorders in children and youth in British Columbia, which causes them both significant symptoms and significant impairment, was estimated to be 15%, with 5% experiencing extreme impairment (Waddell, Hua, & Shepherd, 2002). In the school system in British Columbia, approximately 2-3% of students are identified in the special education categories for students with significant mental health and/or behavior disorders at any one time. Some few students maintain this identification for more than a few years. The literature recognizes that students with mental health disorders experience poor rates of school completion, poor career experiences as well as higher rates of suicide, substance abuse, teenage pregnancy, institutionalization/incarceration and other negative outcomes. These outcomes highlight the vulnerability of students with mental health disorders. It particularly highlights the vulnerability of children and youth who have been identified for significant periods of time. This study listens to the experiences of youth who were identified in elementary school in a BC school district with significant mental health and/or behaviour disorders who are still identified with these disorders by that same school district more than five years later. Approximately half of these children and youth are identified by the school system only and may not have received support from services outside of the school system at any time in their lives. The other half have received services from community organizations including hospitals, ministries and community services. This study listens to the youth and the parents about the about the services the children and youth did and didn't receive, how they accessed services and why services were and were not received. The study will help schools, ministries, and community services to understand the access, availability and utilization of mental health services for children ages 5-18 with significant mental health and behavior disorders. It will also identify the number, name, and kind of services available to them as well as the gaps and overlaps in service provision for delivery of services for children and youth with mental health disorders. Through the voices of the children or youth and their parents, their perspective about the quality and effectiveness of the services these children and youth received will be heard. Waddell, C., Hua, J., & Shepherd, C. (2002). Child and youth mental health: Draft practice parameters. A research report prepared for the British Columbia Ministry of Children and Family Development. Mental Health Evaluation & Community Consultation. The University of British Columbia.