Transforming child and youth mental health care: ACCESS Open Minds New Brunswick in the rural Francophone region of the Acadian Peninsula

Abstract

AimThis paper describes how the transformation of youth mental health services in the rural Francophone region of the Acadian Peninsula in New Brunswick, Canada, is meeting the five objectives of ACCESS Open Minds.MethodsImplementation of the ACCESS Open Minds framework of care in the Acadian Peninsula of New Brunswick began in 2016 at a well‐established volunteer centre and community‐based mental health organization. Through focus groups with youth aged 14 to 22 (n = 13), community mapping was used to describe the youth‐related mental health service transformation, followed by thematic analysis, validation by member checking and triangulation.ResultsPreliminary results show a generally successful implementation of the ACCESS Open Minds model, as evidenced by the transformation of mental health service provision, the enhancement of capacity in human resources and the participation of youth. Transformation was evidenced across the five objectives of mental healthcare of ACCESS Open Minds, albeit to variable extents. Several facilitating factors and challenges are identified based on youths' accounts.ConclusionsIt is possible to successfully implement the ACCESS Open Minds model among francophones living in a minority setting and despite the constraints of a rural area. Most key components of the framework were implemented with high program fidelity. The rural context presents unique challenges that require creative and effective use of resources, while offering opportunities that arise from a culture of resourcefulness and collaboration.

A minimum evaluation protocol and stepped-wedge cluster randomized trial of ACCESS Open Minds, a large Canadian youth mental health services transformation project

“…While critical additional human, training and material resources are required, the project does not create entirely parallel services distinct from Canada's publicly funded healthcare system [89]. The project's broad scope includes youth with widely varying mental healthcare needs from highly diverse geographic, cultural, economic and sociodemographic backgrounds [90][91][92][93][94][95][96]. An additional strength is that the ACCESS Open Minds model is informed by multiple relevant stakeholders, including youth, families/carers, researchers, clinicians, Indigenous communities, community organizations, and policy−/decisionmakers.…”

Gendering Neighbourhood Marginalization Metrics in Mental Health Services Research: A Cross-Sectional Exploration of a Rural and Small Urban Population

“…As in the other provinces and territories, all New Brunswick residents are eligible for publicly financed insurance for essential medical and hospital services, a universal coverage system known as Medicare [28]. Access points to mental health services include hospitals, physician offices, community-based clinics, schools, mobile counselling services, and justice settings [29]. Survey data indicate that 11.5% (95% CI: 9.1-14.4%) of New Brunswickers perceived their mental health to be poor or fair, a rate statistically similar to the national average [30].…”

Expériences de la stigmatisation en lien avec la santé mentale chez des jeunes de trois communautés au Nouveau-Brunswick

“…Les groupes de discussion, en français ou en anglais selon le site, sont la principale méthode de collecte des données utilisée dans cette étude. Ils ont été organisés dans le cadre d'une étude plus large sur l'accès aux services de SM (Dubé, et collab., 2019). Un guide de discussion commun a été validé auprès de deux jeunes n'ayant pas participé à M : moyenne d'âge ± écart-type.…”