What is the system challenge?
Peel is the most diverse region in the GTA; however the Collaborative found that this diversity was not reflected in the clientele of mainstream service providers. In particular, racialized youth were not represented in formal mental health and substance use services and were overrepresented in the Emergency Department, and justice and child welfare. Some of the factors that contribute to this as identified by racialized youth in Peel include: --There was a need for mainstream services to be more culturally appropriate, inclusive, client and family centered --Many youth turn to informal supports such as faith leaders when experiencing mental health or substance use issues; however these supports identified that they needed to build their capacity to better understand mental health
Peel is the most diverse region in the GTA; however the Collaborative found that this diversity was not reflected in the clientele of mainstream service providers. In particular, racialized youth were not represented in formal mental health and substance use services and were overrepresented in the Emergency Department, and justice and child welfare. Some of the factors that contribute to this as identified by racialized youth in Peel include:
- There was a need for mainstream services to be more culturally appropriate, inclusive, client and family centered
- Many youth turn to informal supports such as faith leaders when experiencing mental health or substance use issues; however these supports identified that they needed to build their capacity to better understand mental health
What does the evidence say?
The Peel Service Collaborative’s intervention consists of two components:
1. Holistic Crisis Planning (HCP): To address the challenges identified with mainstream services, the Collaborative implemented Holistic Crisis Planning across the region. Holistic Crisis Planning involves the use of a holistic, strength-based and person/family-centred approach to crisis planning for children and youth with mental health and addiction issues and their families.
2. Mental Health First Aid (MHFA): To build the capacity of informal supports such as faith leaders, the Collaborative used a train-the-trainer approach to implement and sustain Mental Health First Aid training in the community. This internationally recognized evidence-based program helps participants recognize mental health issues and provides guidance on referring to community services. The program also helps to combat the stigma that prevents many families from accessing help.
The Collaborative also supported relationship-building between faith leaders and service providers through a variety of events that brought the two groups together to discuss how to work better together to address the mental health needs of Peel’s diverse youth
69% of participants (25 people) said they 'always' or 'often' reflect back on the session based on their personal worldview (as defined by race, gender, religion, etc.) in relation to their clients (n=36)
75% of participants (27 people) said clients 'always' or 'often' incorporate informal/natural supports into their plans (n=36)
81% or 34 staff indicated the HCP approach is having a positive or very positive impact on their interactions with clients and families (n=42)
- Elizabeth Frye Peel
- CMHA
- PCCN
- Hope247
- Rapport
- William Osler
- India Rainbow
- Punjabi Community Health Services
- Peel Children’s Centre
- AYSP
- Peel District School Board
- Region of Peel
- SHIP
- PAARC
Next Steps
Scaling up: Based on initial successes in the child and youth system, several adult mental health agencies have decided to implement HCP across their services. Mental Health First Aid (MHFA): The Collaborative secured two-year funding from the Region of Peel’s Collaboration fund for a Coordinator to support the coordination of ongoing training. Community of Interest: Representatives from the agencies involved in HCP who have championed the approach within their agencies, have come together as a community of interest to spread HCP through various knowledge exchange activities. George Brown: George Brown College is developing an online application for HCP, in collaboration with diverse youth in Peel and agencies that were involved in the Collaborative’s work. The final product is expected to be completed in July 2018, and will contribute to the use of the approach.
Scaling up:
Based on initial successes in the child and youth system, several adult mental health agencies have decided to implement HCP across their services.
Mental Health First Aid (MHFA):
The Collaborative secured two-year funding from the Region of Peel’s Collaboration fund for a Coordinator to support the coordination of ongoing training. Community of Interest: Representatives from the agencies involved in HCP who have championed the approach within their agencies, have come together as a community of interest to spread HCP through various knowledge exchange activities.
George Brown College:
George Brown College is developing an online application for HCP, in collaboration with diverse youth in Peel and agencies that were involved in the Collaborative’s work. The final product is expected to be completed in July 2018, and will contribute to the use of the approach.