A narrative inquiry into the experiences of children and youth waiting for mental health services

Introduction:  The critical need for improved youth mental health services in Canada has been exacerbated and exposed by the COVID-19 pandemic. This is particularly evident for youth who face structural vulnerabilities including First Nations, Inuit, and Metis youth, Black youth, 2SLGBTQ+ youth, as well as immigrant youth. This research explores the experiences of vulnerable youth and their families waiting for formalized mental health services, and exposes the wider impacts of the pandemic on youth mental health.

Methods: Using narrative inquiry, a qualitative methodology, we explored the experiences of youth who are structurally vulnerable on waiting lists for formalized mental health services over several months. Alongside participants, we co-composed narratives of their individual and contextualizing narratives to demonstrate the complexities of youths’ lives and the strategies used to navigate barriers and build or create supports. 

Results: Our findings highlight the layered and isolating experience of waiting for multiple services, the impact of waiting on youth and parent identities, and an exploration into the innovative resources, strategies and supports these youth and families used to cope while waiting for formalized mental health treatment.

Conclusions: In this presentation, we focus on findings that describe both common and unique experiences of youth who are structurally vulnerable and/or their families while they wait for mental health services. Interactions within schools and emergency departments related to mental health concerns are specifically discussed, as well as the experiences of 2SLGBTQ+ and racialized youth navigating access to care and waiting for service.