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Health News For Champlain

Tuesday, January 22, 2013
Champlain LHIN
Getting the Help They Need for Mental Health Support for Youth Transitioning to Adult Services

“Kids need to know they are not alone. We know we feel sad, but we don’t know we are depressed. Then we try to cover up the crisis in our lives by adding alcohol, drugs, food - you name it.”

Those are the words of 18-year-old Alex Kilby, an Ottawa resident and one of the clients of a program spearheaded and funded by the Champlain Local Health Integration Network (LHIN). The program helps youth who have serious mental-health conditions make the transition from child to adult services. Such a transition can often be difficult, with some youth not knowing how to access adult services, feeling intimidated to do so, experiencing a decline in their condition, and sometimes even ending up in the emergency room.

Thanks to this new program, young adults like Alex (pictured below) are receiving the individualized services they need. Alex was recently connected to Gilles Charron, Coordinator of Transitional Mental Health Services for Youth. As a result, he attends weekly addictions and grief counselling in an adult setting. “I wouldn’t be here today without Gilles, 100 per cent. I wish there were more of him,” Alex says.

Gilles’ role is to help youth make the transition. He conducts an interview and assessment, and then sends a referral to the most appropriate health provider for adult services. If there is a wait list, the client continues to receive temporary support from child services until adult support is available.

There are multiple benefits of the program, Gilles says. For example, youth generally feel empowered in their new “adult” status, and are keen to take responsibility for themselves. In addition, youth often include their parents in their transitional program interviews, leading to strengthened family connections.

According to Gilles, the program has also transformed the way mental-health services are delivered. “The shared-care model - where providers have a common view on how to transition youth to adult services - is the key to our success. Previously, there were unintentional silos, and now, everyone has the same understanding and philosophy about helping these individuals. We are decreasing and eliminating barriers to adult services.”
To date, the program has assisted roughly 140 youth ranging in age from 16 to 24 (mostly between 17 and 19-years-old).
Alex says he is doing well and finishing his high-school credits at Algonquin College. He plans to become a music producer. “You have to expand these programs,” he advises the Champlain LHIN. “Kids need more help. And kids: don’t be afraid to ask for help. If I can reach just one person with what I am saying here, I will be happy.”
The transition program is made up of a partnership among nine primary and specialized mental health and addiction services for children and adults. Service commitments from all partners were used to create the shared-care model. These providers are:

Canadian Mental Health Association, Ottawa
Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario
Dave Smith Youth Treatment Centre
Hôpital Montfort
The Ottawa Hospital
Queensway Carleton Hospital
Royal Ottawa Mental Health Centre
Department of Psychiatry, University of Ottawa
Youth Services Bureau

The initial evaluation of the transitional program shows a high-level of satisfaction from clients and their families. At this time, the model has also been adapted for and implemented in Eastern Counties (Prescott-Russell, Stormont, Dundas, Glengarry). The Champlain LHIN provides roughly $390,000 annually toward the program in our region.

“The program reduces barriers to services, resulting in better care for clients,” says Chantale LeClerc, Champlain LHIN CEO. “The LHIN and its partners shared a common goal – to bring together partners and assist vulnerable youth. Previously, young clients transitioning to an adult health-care setting needed assistance that wasn’t there. This program is an important step in closing that gap.”

For more information on the program, please contact Gilles Charron 613.737.7600 ext 3510 or charron_g@cheo.on.ca.

If you are a member of the media and would like to request an interview, please contact Carole Ouellette, 613.747.3238 or carole.ouellette@lhins.on.ca.