Grant: Project Grant - Priority Announcement: Patient-Oriented Research

Stigma is widely considered a barrier to service seeking among individuals with mental health problems. Negative, stigmatizing attitudes are found throughout society - in the general public, within the families and social circles of people with mental illness, among healthcare professionals, and among youth. Since most mental health problems begin in adolescence and persist into adulthood, early access to services has the potential of long-term benefits for vulnerable youth. However, only 25-30% of youth in need access specialized treatment, and stigma is one of the key reasons youth choose not to seek services. There have been calls for increased research to understand aspects of youth mental health stigma, ideally through qualitative and quantitative research with stakeholder engagement. This project is a direct response to such calls. Working with youth as full partners in the project, this study will identify the aspects and sources of stigma that are considered to be the greatest barriers to service seeking among youth with mental health and/or substance use challenges. By doing so, this project will guide researchers, anti-stigma interventionists, investors, and policymakers interested in working toward a stigma-free Canada in which youth and their caregivers are empowered to reach out for services that could benefit the youth. Analyses will identify anti-stigma priorities for youth with diverse levels of mental health service need, across genders, and for Anglophone and Francophone communities. The results will lead not only to clear research agendas to advance stigma reduction, but also direct implementation guidance ensuring that investments are being channeled into the aspects of stigma with the most potential to break down the barriers preventing youth from seeking the services they need.