Changes in adolescent and youth health system utilization for anxiety and depression: a cross-sectional geographic analysis

Summary

Project ID: 2022-1021/ TRIM 2024 0970 380 000

Principle Investigator: Brianne Wood

Description: The study aims to examine the need for additional or re-distributed resources for children and adolescent mental health services. Historically, access to mental health resources has been inconsistent and under-serviced in Northern Ontario, particularly in rural communities. By providing an updated understanding about the prevalence of youth mental health disorders, there is an opportunity to impact system-level changes, particularly as the new coordinated service delivery model – Ontario Health Teams – is rolled out and tasked with addressing priority health needs. The findings will be presented in an academic manuscript, to primary care organizations (e.g., OHTs, through POPLAR, AFHTO), in addition a briefing note will be prepared for Ontario Health stakeholders to raise awareness of the research .The study seeks to determine: 1. To what extent has physician-based mental health care utilization among children and adolescents (aged 5 to 25) changed throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, stratified by sex and age group? 2. To what extent do geography and patient enrolment model correlate with mental health care utilization among children and adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic?

PIA approved: February 5, 2024

Status: In progress