Key Messages

• The majority of providers are reporting concerning increases in mental health challenges and substance use among the youth they serve. Approximately 1/3 are reporting increases in suicidal ideation and drug overdoses.
• The majority of providers have adapted their practices by connecting virtually or over the phone; however, this can be problematic for young people with no internet or phone access and for those living in unsafe situations.
• Promising practice adaptations include: holistic mobile outreach (e.g., mental health and substance use supports combined with meals and art supplies), “live” virtual drop-in sessions on social media platforms, and “self-serve” virtual applications.

Keywords

• Youth
• Homelessness
• Substance use
• Mental health
• Interventions
• Health equity
• 2SLGBTQ (two-spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, queer)
• Socioeconomic inclusion
• COVID-19
• Pandemic

Author(s)

• Nominated Principal Applicant: Naomi Thulien, NP-PHC, PhD, McMaster University School of Nursing
• Thulien, N.S., School of Nursing, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON; MAP Centre for Urban Health Solutions, Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute of St Michael’s Hospital, Toronto, ON
• Noble, A. Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON; Covenant House Toronto, Toronto, ON
• Daley, M., The Lived Experience Lab, Toronto, ON
• French, D.,  A Way Home Canada, Toronto, ON
• Hwang, S.W., MAP Centre for Urban Health Solutions, Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute of St Michael’s Hospital, Toronto, ON; Division of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON; Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON
• Kidd, S, Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON; Psychology Division, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, 1001 Queen St. W., Unit 2-1, #161, Toronto, ON

For more information, please contact: Dr. Naomi Thulien, thulienn@mcmaster.ca

Related Syntheses

• The GID-COVID Project: Gender and Intervention in Addiction with Individuals in Situations of Social Precarity in the Context of a Pandemic
• School-Based Suicide Risk Assessment Using eHealth: A Scoping Review
• The Relationship Between Social Connectedness and Mental Health for Residents of Long-term Care Homes: Knowledge Synthesis and Mobilization

Supplemental Links

• The Homeless Hub Blog

Download

(External links)

Full PDF

Lay Summary PDF

Population

Vulnerable or At-Risk Populations

Language

To ensure the rapid dissemination of this critical information, information is published in the language in which it was submitted. Please contact us for French or English translations.