Comprehensive Program for Youth Mental Health

Comprehensive Program for Youth Mental Health

The majority of addiction and mental health problems seen in adults present first in youth. There is strong evidence that prevention and early identification during childhood can mitigate some of these risks. Students who screen at risk for the development of mental illness will be offered online intervention programs with personal guidance from a trained coach. In addition, lessons revolving around resiliency will be provided to all students.

The objectives of this study are:

• Decreased rates of depression and suicide (as well as rates of suicide attempts)
• Decreased use of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs, with additional downstream benefits such as reduced rates of fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) and cancer
• Decreased school drop-out rates Decreased rates of interactions with the justice system
• Decreased costs across a range of ministries (health, education, justice, human services), both for youth as well as their families who have been involved in this program

Inclusion Criteria:

• The intervention group will be the top 10% of all students participating in the school screening.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Lack of consent, lack of assent, lack of the ability to read and understand the screening tools or intervention tools