In April 2015 the Yukon Government released a new child and youth mental health and addictions framework (CYMHAF) to facilitate access to basic mental health care and coordinate services for children and families. Historically, the delivery of services was very fragmented and suffered from a limited resource base, with particularly acute issues in First Nations communities due to legacies of residential schools.
The framework has five interconnected components: common language, underlying values, mental health needs, comprehensive programming, and service delivery model. The framework uses a needs-based approach, prioritizing the most serious mental health care needs. Young people with mental disorders represent a small proportion of the population but require most mental health services. The general population of children and youth who experience mental distress will benefit from a narrower range of targeted mental wellness promotion, mental health literacy, and prevention efforts.
Growing public awareness of mental health issues, outside pressure, and a political commitment to a new mental health framework encouraged the Yukon government to partner with researchers and capitalize on a Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) strategic funding initiative.
The objectives of CYMHAF are to improve outcomes for children and youth by identifying and capitalizing on current strengths and reallocating existing resources. The framework is based on a competency development approach for existing health care workers, reorganization of service delivery and the use of electronic supports.
Community-based providers can address basic mental health care needs, with referral to the next level of care through integrated delivery teams in regional hubs, and specialty care in Whitehorse for the most serious mental disorders. Existing telehealth capacity, a common data set, facilitated electronic mental health information and a monitored web-based chat capability are resources available round the clock to providers across Yukon.
The Deputy Minister in Yukon was an essential policy supporter, building the necessary governmental support and establishing a political climate of change, but continued funding support and a committed leadership from Health and Social Services is needed to create the necessary political pressure for the framework to succeed.
The Yukon government has since released Forward Together, a ten-year Mental Wellness Plan for the territory for all ages, expanding the CYMHAF framework to all ages.