Child & Youth Mental Health Pilot

Goals

• Promote healthy development of all children by raising awareness and increasing knowledge of child and youth mental health
• Increase access to child and youth mental health services for children and youth through early detection and timely intervention

Evaluation

• Under development. Will contain qualitative and quantitative measures

HFHT Involvement

• Direct counselling for children,youth and families
• Consultation with general mental health counsellor, nurses, doctors and registered dietitians about their patients regarding mental health issues
• Co-assessment/co-therapy with general mental health counsellor seeing a child, youth or family
• Dissemination of patient educational resources for common mental health problems – ensure that all examination  rooms and waiting areas are resourced
• Distribute resources and standardized questionnaires to mental health counsellors and doctors
• Provide up to date information about community resources regarding access to services, literature reviews on best practice and child/youth related information
• Work with team of doctors and nurses to develop Best Practice kits for well baby visits

Community Partners

• McMaster Children’s Hospital
• Contact Hamilton
• Children’s Service System (reps from MYCS agencies)
• Offord Centre for Child Studies

Practice Involvement

• Prepare practice for program implementation
• Collaboration with practice team
• Willingness to take part in pilot initiatives and evaluation

Advisory Committee

• Dr. Rod MacLeod Child Psychiatrist McMaster
• Helen Metz Mental Health Counsellor HSO Program
• Dr. Nick Kates Director of Programs and Psychiatrist HFHT
• Catherine McPherson-Doe Manager Mental Health Program HFHT
• Michele Mach Former Manager Mental Health Program HFHT

Working Group

• Dr. Carolynne Darby Director Mental Health Program HFHT
• Catherine McPherson-Doe Manager Mental Health Program HFHT
• Ted Ridley Child and Youth Mental Health Counsellor HFHT
• Kathy Shorer Administrative Support HFHT
• Brenda Mills Coordinator Child and Youth Mental Health HFHT

For information please contact:
Brenda Mills
Coordinator Child and Youth Mental Health Pilot
905 667 4854 or Email Brenda Mills