Abstract
BackgroundYouth with concurrent substance use and mental health concerns have diverse psychosocial needs and may present to a multitude of clinical and social service sectors. By integrating service sectors at a system level, the diversity of needs of youth with concurrent disorders can be addressed in a more holistic way. The objective of the present study was to quantify the level of cross-sectoral integration in youth-focused services in Canada.MethodsSocial network analysis (SNA) was used to examine the relationships between eight sectors: addictions, child welfare, education, physical health, housing, mental health, youth justice, and other social services. A total of 597 participants representing twelve networks of youth-serving agencies across Canada provided information on their cross-sectoral contacts and referrals.ResultsOverall, results suggested a moderate level of integration between sectors. The mental health and the addictions sectors demonstrated only moderate integration, while the addictions sector was strongly connected with the youth justice sector.ConclusionsDespite evidence of moderate integration, increased integration is called for to better meet the needs of youth with concurrent mental health and substance use concerns across youth-serving sectors. Ongoing efforts to enhance the integration between youth-serving sectors should be a primary focus in organizing networks serving youth with concurrent mental health and substance use needs.
Highlights
Youth with concurrent substance use and mental health concerns have diverse psychosocial needs and may present to a multitude of clinical and social service sectors
Service sector and networking data were available for service providers (n = 597) from twelve networks of youth-serving agencies across Canada, including representation from the provinces of British Columbia, Manitoba, Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, Ontario and Prince Edward Island
Measures of global density indicated a moderate level of cross-sectoral integration in National Youth Screening Project (NYSP); average self-reported frequency of contacts made, contacts received, referrals made and referrals received was in the mid-range
Summary
Youth with concurrent substance use and mental health concerns have diverse psychosocial needs and may present to a multitude of clinical and social service sectors. Co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders, or concurrent disorders (CDs), in early life may exacerbate negative outcomes, which include impaired social and psychological. Youth with CDs may present to specialty mental health and addictions treatment centers, or the child welfare, youth justice, education and primary care service sectors [4, 14,15,16]. Services across these sectors are insufficiently integrated to respond to the diverse and ever-changing
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