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Browsing by Author "Henderson, Jo"

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    Factors that contribute to the mental health of Black youth during COVID-19 pandemic
    (2024) Salami, Bukola; Maduforo, Aloysius Nwabugo; Aiello, Olivia; Osman, Samah; Omobhude, Oserekpamen Favour; Price, Kimberly; Henderson, Jo; Hamilton, Hayley A.; Kemei, Janet; Mullings, Delores V.
    Background: The mental health of Black youth during the COVID-19 pandemic is potentially influenced by various systemic factors, including racism, socioeconomic disparities, and access to culturally sensitive mental health support. Understanding these influences is essential for developing effective interventions to mitigate mental health disparities. Methods: Our project used a community-based participatory (CBP) research design with an intersectional theoretical perspective. An advisory committee consisting of fourteen Black youth supported all aspects of our project. The research team consisted of experienced Black researchers who also trained six Black youths as research assistants and co-researchers. The co-researchers conducted individual interviews, contributed to data analysis, and mobilized knowledge. Participants were recruited through the advisory committee members and networks of Black youth co-researchers and sent an email invitation to Black community organizations. Forty-eight Black identified were interviewed between the ages of 16 and 30 in Canada. The data was analyzed thematically. We kept a reflexive note throughout all aspects of the project. Results: Participants reported significant challenges with online schooling, including a lack of support and access to resources. Lockdowns exacerbated stress, particularly for those living in toxic living/home environments. Financial burdens, such as food insecurity and precarious employment, were prevalent and exacerbated mental health challenges. Additionally, experiences of anti-Black racism and police brutality during the pandemic heightened stress and anxiety among participants. Conclusions: The findings underscore the complex interplay of systemic factors in shaping the mental health of Black youth during the COVID-19 pandemic. Addressing these disparities requires targeted interventions that address structural inequities and provide culturally competent support to mitigate the impact on mental well-being.
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    Leveraging integrated youth services for social prescribing: a case study of Youth Wellness Hubs Ontario
    (2024) Turpin, Aaron; Chiodo, Deb; Talotta, Maria; Henderson, Jo
    Introduction: Integrated youth services (IYS) presents a unique opportunity to adopt social prescribing (SP) strategies within the IYS service model by developing and leveraging a highly connected multidisciplinary network of clinical and community-based service providers to tackle health inequities and enhance service access and outcomes for youth. This paper outlines a case study of Youth Wellness Hubs Ontario (YWHO), Canada, a collective of youth-serving organizations integrated and networked, and operating as a learning health system implementing SP services. The main study objective was to document how YWHO hubs engage in social prescribing through service provision. Methods: We adopted an embedded case study approach. Data were collected from youth (n = 6361) aged between 12 and 25 years who were seeking services at a YWHO hub. Descriptive analyses, including frequencies across categories, were generated from service data, including reason for visit, needs addressed and service provided. Results: A comparative analysis of services requested and provided found that youth across visits to YWHO hubs were engaging with multiple services and service providers, with a wide range of health, mental health and social support needs being addressed. Conclusion: YWHO implements SP services that aim to improve mental health resilience by supporting the vocational, educational and socialization needs of young people accessing IYS through YWHO hubs.
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    Measuring goal progress using the goal-based outcome measure in Youth Wellness Hubs Ontario – an integrated youth services network
    (2025) Chiodo, Deb; Turpin, Aaron; Wolfe, Janis; Darnay, Karleigh; Henderson, Jo
    Background - Goal-based outcomes (GBOs) are a tool for youth-directed care and have been successfully used in a small number of community youth mental health settings. Youth Wellness Hubs Ontario (YWHO) uses GBO data provided by youth to deliver care that amplifies youth voice in decision-making about supports that are important and meaningful to them. Objective - This article summarizes GBO data from youth receiving clinical and nonclinical services at YWHO hubs to develop a more nuanced understanding of the type of goals set by young people when accessing services. Design - A quantitative design utilizing content analysis was adopted to organize goal data into descriptive categories, which were further analysed by goal distribution and mean rating scores. Participants - Youth (n = 1851) from 22 YWHO networks provided GBO and demographic data. Data were collected across 7348 service visits and youth provided 19,290 goals. Consent for service was obtained, which included the use of personal health information to monitor progress, quality improvement and for evaluation purposes. Variables - GBO data included a written goal and scaled goal rating component. Service visits and demographic variables were tabulated, whereas a mean score for goal achievement (i.e., goal rating) was generated. Results - Six themes emerged from the analysis, including improve mental health (42.7% coverage, mean rating 3.9), connect to services (20.9% coverage, mean rating 4.4), intrapersonal development (15.3% coverage, mean rating 3.1), interpersonal development (12.0% coverage, mean rating 3.5), improve physical health (5.4% coverage, mean rating 2.9) and address substance use/other addiction (3.0% coverage, mean rating 3.1). Conclusion - The GBO tool allows youth to actively participate in setting their own assessment and outcome criteria, indicate which areas they require support and wish to improve and personalize shared decision-making. Patient or Public Contribution - The YWHO model was co-developed by youth, families, service providers and researchers. Youth and families informed the data measures and collection processes described within this article.