Revamping Youth Mental Health Services Cuts Wait Times, Boosts Access, McGill-Led Study Finds

New national research led by McGill University reveals that overhauling youth mental health services can drastically reduce wait times and help more young people access care.

The ACCESS Open Minds initiative, launched in 2014, aimed to bridge significant gaps in mental health support, particularly for Indigenous, remote, and underserved populations. Published findings in JAMA Psychiatry offer the first comprehensive evaluation of the program’s nationwide impact.

“We aimed to reshape existing services in clinics, schools, and youth centres to make them more accessible, engaging for youth, and culturally sensitive,” said lead author Srividya Iyer, a Professor of Psychiatry at McGill and researcher at the Douglas Research Centre.

The program was co-designed and implemented by McGill researchers alongside academic partners across Canada, with input from youth, families, community organizations, and policy leaders.

Tangible Results

Traditional mental health services often require a professional referral an obstacle that can delay or deter care. ACCESS Open Minds removed this hurdle by allowing youth to self-refer. It also introduced ambitious service benchmarks: initial assessments within three days and treatment within 30 days targets rarely met in conventional systems.

Over four years, nearly 8,000 young people aged 11 to 25 were referred across 11 sites. Most were assessed within three days far exceeding the usual 45-day to year-long wait, the researchers noted. Referrals increased by 10% every six months.

“At our downtown Montreal site for homeless youth, we saw a sharp rise in service use. Even with limited resources just two new staff we managed to serve most within 72 hours,” said Iyer, also Canada Research Chair in Youth, Mental Health and Learning Health Systems.

The success stemmed from restructured workflows, staff training, and better coordination among providers, primarily using existing resources.

Inspiring Broader Change

Of the 16 participating communities, five were in Quebec. In Nunavik, Indigenous youth and Elders transformed a garage into a welcoming hub where teens could gather and repair hunting tools.

In downtown Montreal, homeless youth received comprehensive care through collaborations with local shelters, food services, clinics, and even a circus.

“We partnered with Cirque Hors Piste to offer creative programs. It was about giving young people space to express themselves and feel truly seen beyond just their symptoms,” said Iyer.

This model has influenced the development of Quebec’s Aire Ouverte network and inspired similar initiatives across the country.

The team is now exploring ways to tackle broader social issues impacting youth mental health.

“Challenges like climate anxiety, unaffordable housing, job insecurity, and the rise of AI need systemic solutions,” Iyer added.

Source: https://www.mcgill.ca/newsroom/channels/news/mcgill-researchers-lead-project-reform-youth-mental-health-care-canada-365372