A new walk-in style service model has been launched to address gaps in youth mental health care. Youth who need access to a psychiatrist can now be fast tracked to see one, while others who may benefit more from peer support will be connected to that service.
The project was developed through YouthCan IMPACT Toronto and is a collaborative of the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), SickKids Centre for Brain & Mental Health, Michael Garron Hospital, East Metro Youth Services, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, LOFT Community Services, Delisle Youth Services and The Sashbear Foundation.
These new clinics are located in Toronto at:
- ‘What’s up’ walk-in at Scarborough’s East Metro Youth Services, Delisle Youth Services (at Yonge & Eglington)
- A new ‘What’s up’ walk-in at the South East Toronto Family Health Team (at Danforth & Woodbine)
- Scarborough location is now open for service with the other two locations to follow in July.
These new services are comparable to the usual treatment youth receive in hospital-based, outpatient mental health clinics in Toronto. A randomized control trial will be led by the McCain Centre for Child, Youth & Family Mental Health at CAMH and will focus on young people age 14 to 18.
The first step is to implement and evaluate these Toronto-based services, but the team hopes the new model can be replicated in other communities, improving access across the mental health system.
For more information, visit the CAMH website.