Navigating inequities in the delivery of youth mental health care during the COVID-19 pandemic: perspectives of youth, families, and service providers

• Published in: Canadian journal of public health 2022-12, Vol.113 (6), p.806-816
• Main Authors: Kourgiantakis, Toula, Markoulakis, Roula, Hussain, Amina, Lee, Eunjung, Ashcroft, Rachelle, Williams, Charmaine, Lau, Carrie, Goldstein, Abby L., Kodeeswaran, Sugy, Levitt, Anthony
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Accessibility; Addictions; Adolescent; Canada - epidemiology; Child & adolescent psychiatry; Coronaviruses; COVID-19; COVID-19 - epidemiology; Health care; Health care delivery; Health disparities; Health services; Humans; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Mental Health; Mental health care; Mental Health Services; Pandemics; Parents & parenting; Public Health; Qualitative research; Research design; Special Section on Equity and the COVID-19 Response in Canada: Qualitative Research; Teenagers; Young adults
• ISSN: 0008-4263; 1920-7476
• DOI: 10.17269/s41997-022-00670-4

Objectives There have been concerns about the adverse effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on Canadian youth (aged 16–24) as they have the highest rates of mental health concerns. The objectives of the present study were to explore the experiences of youth with mental health and/or addiction concerns and their families during the pandemic, and to examine how adequate and equitable mental health services have been for youth and families from the perspectives of youth, parents, and service providers. Methods Using a descriptive qualitative research design and a university–community partnership, we conducted individual interviews with youth, parents, and service providers. The study involved a total of 25 participants ( n =15 service users, n =10 service providers). Among the service users, 11 participants were parents and four were youth. We used thematic analysis to analyze interview data. Results The thematic analysis identified three themes in the data: (1) youth mental health concerns have increased, whereas supports have decreased, (2) families end up being the treatment team with increased burden, little support, and lack of recognition, and (3) inadequate and inequitable mental health services for youth and families are amplified during the pandemic. Conclusion At a time when mental health needs were higher, the mental health care system offered less support to youth and their families. For a more equitable response to the pandemic, we need an accessible and integrated mental health care system that shows a commitment to addressing social determinants and reducing health disparities and inequities in access to mental health services.