Launch of first-ever Canadian youth mental health platform will transform research and treatments
A pioneering youth mental health project will enhance Canada’s overall understanding of youth mental health needs and advance new assessment and treatment approaches. Each year, one of out every four youth in Canada needs mental health services, making an initiative such as this urgent and critical for the well-being of our young people. The “Canadian Youth Mental Health Insight (CYMHI) Platform” powered by RBC Future Launch, will use open data, machine learning and other methods to improve communication between youth and families, researchers, clinicians and other service providers with diverse mental health experiences and specializations.
A specialized research team has been awarded a $5.13-million grant to create this platform to optimize mental health with and for youth across Canada. Generous funding has been provided from RBC Future Launch, Power Corporation of Canada, and the Canada Brain Research Fund (CBRF), an innovative arrangement between the Government of Canada, through Health Canada, and Brain Canada.
Led by Dr. Sean Hill, Director of the Krembil Centre of Neuroinformatics, and Senior Scientist at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), the team brings together diverse organizations across the country including academic institutions, community-based mental health services, hospitals, and youth and family advisories from Foundry, Youth Wellness Hubs Ontario, and other integrated youth services.
The Insight platform will provide an interactive web portal for youth, family members, clinicians, service providers, researchers, and policy makers to access shared data, analytics, and AI tools for optimizing mental health care. The portal will enable users to find data and connect insights from community and school prevention programs, youth mental health services, and clinical research studies. The portal will also provide access to AI-based services to help users navigate mental health services, personalized tools for monitoring mental health, identifying risks, and recommending services, and an interactive atlas of youth mental health service demand and availability to guide service providers and policymakers.
“Through this project, we are providing a state-of-the-art informatics platform that serves as a foundation to improve mental health for, and importantly, with youth across the country,” notes Hill. “It will facilitate high impact research and the development of youth mental health approaches that would otherwise not be possible.”
“The CYMHI is a fantastic development to empower youth and youth-involved initiatives to take ownership in paving the way for future mental health service implementation,” says Suchayte Bali, Youth Engagement Coordinator at Foundry. “At a grassroots level, this can allow for many youth-led not-for-profit organizations to garner an understanding for which supports are needed in their communities, now backed by machine learning data from across Canada.”
“Right now, 9 out of 10 provinces are funding services with research components, British Columbia can’t learn from New Brunswick, and Ontario is missing evidence from Saskatchewan and so on,” says CYMHI leadership team member Steve Mathias, Executive Director at Providence Health Care and leader of Foundry, a British Columbia network of centres that offer young people health and wellness resources, services and supports both in person and virtually. “It is about bringing everyone together to share and exchange what we are living, and learning.”
Mental illness disproportionately affects young people between the ages of 15 and 29 worldwide. It accounts for approximately half of the overall burden of disease in this age group, making it the leading cause of disability in Canada.
“More than ever, brain research is critical in helping us, as a community, recover from the COVID-19 pandemic and mitigate its effects on the brain and our mental health,” says Dr. Viviane Poupon, Brain Canada President, and CEO. “We must invest in projects like these that will lead to concrete impacts on brain health for youth in Canada.”
“The stress, anxiety, depression, and loneliness caused by the COVID-19 pandemic have disproportionally impacted the mental health of young people in Canada. With so many children and youth still struggling, it is essential that we accelerate our efforts to ensure that young people have access to appropriate supports when and where they need them,” says The Honourable Carolyn Bennett, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions and Associate Minister of Health. “This ground-breaking mental health platform will continue to improve youth mental health services by listening to youth in order to base our response on a much better understanding of youth priorities, needs and treatment approaches.”
“It’s important to us that youth across Canada have the best opportunities to thrive and reach their fullest potential,” says Mark Beckles, Vice-President, Social Impact and Innovation, RBC. “Through our partnership with Brain Canada, we’re focused on increasing and accelerating access to services for youth who are facing mental health concerns, while facilitating digital solutions for practitioners and researchers.”
“At Power Corporation we recognize how critical it is to strengthen access to mental health services and supports for young Canadians and their families, wherever they live. We are proud to be able to support the Canadian Youth Mental Health Insight (CYMHI) Platform. This advanced digital platform and pan-Canadian partnership between researchers and practitioners promises to fill gaps in support and ultimately enhance the quality of youth mental health care in every region of the country,” says Paul Genest, Senior Vice President, Power Corporation of Canada.
This project was awarded funding through the 2021 open call for applications to the Brain Canada Youth Mental Health Platform, powered by RBC Future Launch, with generous support from Power Corporation of Canada.
Funding for the Brain Canada Youth Mental Health Platform has been made possible by the Canada Brain Research Fund (CBRF), an innovative arrangement between the Government of Canada (through Health Canada) and Brain Canada Foundation.
To learn more about this exciting project, visit Brain Canada’s website.
Foundry supports youth in living a good life
Written by: Aslam (he/they) & Lee (she/they) – Provincial Youth Advisors, writers with Foundry BC
Jumping in the lake and getting slushies is all anyone can think about on the last days of June 2019. For Aslam* (he/they), they had just graduated from high school, and like many others, they dreamed of leaving their small town for the big city.
“Planning to move to Vancouver gave me so much hope,” says Aslam. “I was finally free to be openly queer, meet new friends and be immersed in a multicultural community.”
Within six months, COVID-19 cases began to rise, and self-isolation became the norm. Suddenly alone, Aslam’s mental health began to decline, and they started to indulge in substances.
“Moving came with so many pros that I forgot it also came with the cons,” stresses Aslam. “I thought everything was normal – drinking every night with my new friends and being hungover during class, wasting what little money I had left on the next disposable vape.”
The isolation from early spring until the following summer made accessing resources almost impossible, impacting youth all over the province.
“At first, I wasn’t even aware that I was at my worst,” says Aslam, “I was so used to my routine: wake up, still feeling helpless and empty, pack a bowl and take a couple of tokes out of my bedroom window, then go back to sleep. It was intense denial and numbing.”
During the summer of 2021, Aslam gained the courage to reach out and receive support for their substance use and mental health. They went to Foundry, an integrated youth service that provides mental health care, substance use services, physical and sexual health care, youth and family peer supports and social services for young people ages 12-24 and their families/caregivers across BC.
“I spoke to someone through Foundry in the past, when I was going through a lot of transitions mentally and spiritually,” says Aslam. “They really helped guide me through my struggles at the time.”
Caption: Staff at Foundry Vancouver-Granville, operated by Providence Health Care. One of many Foundry centre across BC that provide integrated health services to young people like Aslam and Lee. Photo by Jeff Topham.
Working with peer supporters with similar lived experience, Aslam was able to openly speak about their struggles with homophobia, past trauma and how it led to their battle with substance use. Aslam eventually connected with a physician through Foundry Vancouver-Granville and was able to learn more about their mental health, including their hereditary anxiety and signs of depression and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).
Similarly, Lee* (she/they), a Foundry provincial youth advisor alongside Aslam, also experienced worsening mental health during the pandemic.
“To those of you who feel isolated or lonely – know that you are not alone,” Lee shares. “I was especially lucky that I was able to reach out to a counselor and doctor who have supported me through my path to recovery. I felt stuck for a long time and with help, I realized the way I had been living was not the path I had to follow.”
Throughout high school, some of Lee’s close friends and peers used substances to alleviate feelings of anxiety and depression. As someone with lived experiences, Lee continues to encourage others to reach out to support services, no matter how difficult it may be to take the first step.
“Sometimes, we don’t realize when we need to get help,” says Lee, “until we know other people who have gone through similar experiences.”
As Foundry provincial youth advisors, both Aslam and Lee share their perspectives to make Foundry services youth-friendly and inclusive to others.
“Being a part of my community has always been a critical part of my healing journey,” shares Aslam, “connecting with other youth and the opportunity to shape my own wellness journey, has made me feel stronger and less isolated in my struggles.”
With the ever-changing lingo for substances and new trends on the internet, Foundry’s staff are well equipped; and some have their own lived experience as well. Encouraging youth to be open and honest about substance usage, and using harm reduction strategies, allows youth to feel less stigmatized.
“When I went to Foundry, I was accepted,” says Aslam. “I didn’t need to explain why I made the choices I did because they already knew why, and they didn’t care. They just wanted me to feel supported and loved.”
It is important to be able to meet youth where they are at in their journeys. Young people can walk into a local Foundry centre, explore online tools and resources at foundrybc.ca, or connect virtually through the Foundry BC app.
“Our generation is strong, willing to grow and change for the better,” says Aslam. “With the services that Foundry is offering, no problem is too big or small. Foundry services are available, and they can help you.”
To learn more, visit foundrybc.ca/youmatter.
Are you a parent/caregiver looking for support for yourself and a young person in your life? Visit foundrybc.ca/youthcare for more information.
In the news
Check out media coverage in The Vancouver Sun, The Province (coming soon) and Black Press Media.
Keywords: Foundry, Foundry BC, Foundry Virtual, Foundry BC app, youth mental health, integrated youth services, physical and sexual healthcare, substance use, harm reduction, youth and family peer support, online support, virtual care, you matter, youth care, COVID-19, free and confidential, health and wellness, supports services, mental health care, social services support, support for families, support for caregivers, mental health support
Learnings from the first year of Foundry Virtual BC
Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, many children and youth in BC are experiencing increased anxiety, stress and other mental health challenges. Foundry has worked quickly to implement innovative virtual solutions for youth and families/caregivers living in BC (learn more in this overview of Foundry’s COVID-19 response to date).
Last spring, we launched virtual services using interim technology, and in early April 2020, Foundry Virtual BC began offering services to young people and families/caregivers across the province through the Foundry BC app, which was co-created with and for youth.
The app offers a user-friendly, accessible way to schedule virtual counselling and peer support appointments in advance, as well as access same-day support via messaging, audio or video sessions, peer group sessions, and web-based tools and resources. No referrals or assessments required.
Here are some of our learnings one year later (taken from Frayme’s report):
- Foundry’s provincial virtual service filled a gap for youth and their families/caregivers who otherwise may not have accessed services.
- The soft launch of the Foundry BC app has already changed the way youth and families/caregivers access services virtually in BC.
- Breaking down barriers to access and advancements in technology have led to increased youth engagement with Foundry Virtual BC.
- With the rapid launch of Foundry Virtual BC, youth in BC have been able to access multiple services to address their needs and improve their outcomes.
- Foundry’s provincial virtual service is reaching high risk and high-needs youth across BC.
- BC youth and families/caregivers are having positive experiences with Foundry Virtual BC technology, services and staff.
- Foundry’s provincial virtual service team has gained valuable insight for quality improvement opportunities and innovations in virtual care.
Since launching virtual services, Foundry has received positive feedback from youth.
“My peer supporter really knows me by now and is able to make really personalized suggestions.”
“I was diagnosed with a disorder that now allows me to begin receiving treatment.”
“It allowed me to talk about how I was feeling, ask for coping mechanisms, and say personal things.”
Foundry Virtual BC offers virtual counselling sessions by voice, video and chat (including booked appointments and walk-ins); peer support (including one-on-one services and peer lead groups); and groups and workshops for young people and their families/caregivers.
The Foundry BC app is available through the Apple Store, Google Play store or on desktop through a web portal.
To learn more and access services, visit foundrybc.ca/virtual.
Keywords: mental health, anxiety, stress, peer support, counselling
Beauty of Life in Psychosis (BLIP): Challenging the definition of “normal”
In *our previous article, Discovering the Beauty of Life in Psychosis, we introduced the first ever BLIP cohort and shared some of the amazing art created by our peers in the group. We’re excited to share some of the insights and artwork from the second cohort of BLIP, which ran over the course of this summer.
First, a quick recap: what is Beauty of Life in Psychosis (BLIP), anyway?
Beauty of Life in Psychosis (BLIP) is an art and creativity group for young people who self-identify as experiencing psychosis, hearing voices, seeing visions and/or having unique beliefs (VVUB). BLIP is a peer-led group, which means that the facilitators (that’s us – Rory and Anne!) have had similar experiences.
The group was born out of a simple idea: that we deserve safe(r) spaces to socialize, be part of a community, talk about our experiences and express ourselves creatively, all without fear of judgment.
Now, in partnership with Vancouver Coastal Health’s Consumer Initiative Fund, Foundry Virtual BC and Early Psychosis Intervention BC, as well as support from The Paint Spot, we’ve been able to host two successful cohorts – including providing all group members with free art supplies.
The goal of BLIP
The goals of BLIP are to build a sense of belonging, normalize talking about VVUB/psychosis and make space to explore and express the personal meaning of our experiences.
In developing BLIP, it was important for us to recognize that while VVUB/psychosis can be confusing, frightening and difficult, it can also be a “normal” part of life with all the complexity of any other parts of life. VVUB/psychosis can also be funny, annoying, boring, interesting, inconvenient, exciting, frustrating, pleasant, ugly and/or beautiful.
We want to treat VVUB/psychosis as an experience that is part of the unique and valuable perspective we are able to share with the world.
Challenging the definition of “normal”
It only makes sense, that the theme the group chose to focus on was “normalcy”. The group questioned the idea of a single definition of “normal,” pointing out that what’s normal for one person might not be for another person, with an emphasis on the importance of knowing our own minds, bodies and needs best. We discussed who gets to decide what counts as “normal,” and how the pressure to be “normal” can be stigmatizing, isolating or feel like having to wear a mask.
On the other hand, we also talked about how “normal” can be a reassuring reminder of what’s common and expected, helping to ground us in reality. We talked about wanting to be seen as “normal” instead of being treated differently and, on the other hand, the desire to reject being “normal” and reclaim being different, embracing the value of our diverse experiences.
Sharing experiences through art
As a group, we found that some of these experiences are easier to communicate through art rather than words, particularly ones “normal” to us but unfamiliar to others. We also found that even though we all had different definitions of “normal” and different relationships to the concept, one way to feel normal was through being in community with each other: by finding commonality in difference.
We invite you to reflect on how the theme of normalcy comes through in the following works by BLIP artists. We are thrilled to share the artwork created with the first cohort of the BLIP youth group.
Permanent Fever Dream, 2021 Blythe
About the artist: Blythe is a 20 year old individual diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder. She enjoys creating art that depicts her hallucinations and experiences with psychosis, as well as animal portraits. Her favourite mediums to work with are ink, coloured pencil and oil paint.
Artist statement: This drawing in ink and coloured pencil depicts common themes found in my hallucinations. I wanted to capture how, for me, these experiences often labelled “abnormal” can be frightening but also very captivating & interesting. I used bright colours to show which of these visions I perceive as friendly and intriguing.
Self Portrait, 2021 Heart
About the artist: Heart experiences psychosis and uses her art to express her unique beliefs surrounding divinity and fate.
To learn more about future offerings of Beauty of Life in Psychosis (BLIP), or to learn more about groups offered by Foundry’s provincial virtual services, please visit foundrybc.ca/virtual/youth-groups.
To learn more about psychosis read the Questioning Reality section of our website or take the Questioning Reality Self-Check. If you would like to reach out to Foundry for support, reach out to Foundry’s provincial virtual services or visit a Foundry centre near you.
*Note about the authors:
Anne (she/they) is a cat parent and casual peer support worker at Foundry Virtual BC with lived/living experience with voices, visions and unique beliefs, and psychosis. They are also a group facilitator for the BC Hearing Voices Network, Kaleidoscope and a researcher in early psychosis. They enjoy incorporating art and writing into their life as well as keeping active and being outdoors.
Rory (they/them) is a non-binary artist, peer support worker and researcher with lived/living experience of psychosis. They are also a facilitator and administrator for the BC Hearing Voices Network, and their writing on the Hearing Voices Movement recently appeared in Health and Human Rights Journal.