Engaging Families in Youth Mental Health

Presenter and slide deck 

Carrie Stevenson - Family Educator, Youth Wellness Centre, St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton

Slides 

Key Learnings

  • The Youth Wellness Centre employs a dedicated clinical team member, a Family Educator, who supports family members of youth clients by providing a) information and education, b) program and system navigation, and c) skill-development and emotional support.
  • Family Engagement is operationalized through opportunities to inform, co-facilitate, and co-develop programs and groups, and participate in systems-level committees. Family Engagement is also operationalized through one-on-one appointments with family members, family education groups, and family member peer support services.
  • Providing caregivers with an active role in the service of their loved one’s healing decreases their feelings of powerlessness and increases positive impacts on direct service outcomes for youth.

Identified Gaps in Research, Practice, and/or Policy

Continued efforts should be allocated to reducing barriers to family engagement, including the creation of safe, non-judgmental and non-blaming spaces.

Contact Email of Presenter

Carrie Stevenson - casteven@stjosham.on.ca 

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