Recent findings from McGill University researchers highlight a significant advancement in youth mental health services in Canada. The national ACCESS Open Minds project, initiated in 2014, aims to address systemic barriers to mental health care access, particularly for Indigenous, remote, and underserved communities. The newly published data from the study, featured in JAMA Psychiatry, offers compelling evidence that redesigning existing mental health services can drastically reduce wait times and connect more youth to essential care.
The ACCESS Open Minds Approach
The project focused on transforming mental health care delivery in various settings, including clinics, schools, and youth centers, to make them more accessible, youth-friendly, and culturally appropriate.
Srividya Iyer, the lead author and Professor in McGill’s Department of Psychiatry, along with colleagues from across Canada, youth, families, community organizations, and policymakers, contributed to the development, implementation, and evaluation of the initiative.
A Measurable Impact on Wait Times and Access
Traditional mental health services in Canada often require professional referrals, which can result in slow and discouraging wait times for youth. ACCESS Open Minds eliminated this barrier, allowing young people to directly reach out for help. The program also set ambitious service targets: an evaluation within three days and treatment within 30 days—goals few public services meet.
Over four years, the program referred nearly 8,000 youth, ages 11 to 25, across 11 study sites. The majority of these youth were seen within three days—an impressive improvement compared to the usual wait times of 45 days to more than a year in traditional systems. Referrals increased by 10% every six months.
This success was driven by redesigning workflows, training staff, and enhancing collaboration among service providers—most of which were achieved using existing resources.
Quebec’s Aire Ouverte Network and Community Engagement
The ACCESS Open Minds model was particularly influential in Quebec, where five of the program’s 16 participating communities were located. In Nunavik, the team worked with Indigenous youth and Elders to transform a garage into a welcoming, youth-friendly space where teens could gather, engage in meaningful activities like fixing hunting gear, and receive mental health support.
In downtown Montreal, young people experiencing homelessness benefitted from holistic care through partnerships with shelters, soup kitchens, clinics, and even Cirque Hors Piste, a circus group that developed artistic programs. Iyer explained,
Expanding the Model Across Canada
ACCESS Open Minds’ innovative model has now helped shape the Aire Ouverte network in Quebec and influenced similar youth mental health initiatives across Canada. The program continues to evolve, with a growing focus on addressing broader societal factors that affect mental health.
The project’s future research aims to integrate these critical social determinants of health into mental health care systems to provide more comprehensive, long-term solutions for Canadian youth.
Conclusion
By redesigning the delivery of youth mental health services and focusing on accessibility, youth-friendly environments, and cultural relevance, the ACCESS Open Minds project has proven that significant improvements can be made in mental health care delivery in Canada. With ongoing research and the expansion of successful models, the initiative is paving the way for broader, more effective mental health services for young people across the country.
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