Researchers from Lakehead University are launching an initiative in partnership with community mental health agencies and School Mental Health Ontario to help fill the gap in timely access to mental health care for youth in Northwestern Ontario.
The Help in Hand initiative was started with a $2-million investment from Health Canada’s Youth Mental Health Fund to expand access to mental health supports in schools across the region, organizer said Tuesday in a press release.
“I’ve worked as a clinical psychologist in our community for 13 years and have seen how young people often face unique barriers to accessing support,” said program leader Dr. Aislin Mushquash, a clinical psychologist and Lakehead’s Research Chair in Youth Mental Health.
“Help in Hand is about providing practical, evidence-based tools while strengthening links to the broader mental health system. Our hope is that this initiative will lead to a better understanding of the impact of digital spaces and technologies on youth mental health.”
The program will bring digital mental health tools directly into schools and create stronger links to additional care when it is needed.
Mushquash said the initiative is part of her broader research program focused on helping young people thrive in an increasingly digitally connected world. Designed to complement, not replace, existing mental health services, Help in Hand adds another layer of support to help young people connect with the right level of care based on their current needs.
The initiative will provide school communities with specialized training and resources to navigate the evolving digital mental health landscape, find high-quality tools and measure their impact. Participating students will have access to JoyPop, a research-backed app that helps youth strengthen their emotion regulation skills and improve overall well-being.
“Community organizations, like Lakehead University, are key to strengthening youth mental health because they understand the needs and realities of young people in their communities, especially those facing the greatest barriers to care,” said federal Health Minister Marjorie Michel.
“Through Health Canada’s Youth Mental Health Fund, our government is helping young people access mental health care where they feel safe and supported. Supporting young Canadians today means building a Canada strong for generations to come.”
Other community partners involved in the initiative include Dilico Anishinabek Family Care, Children’s Centre Thunder Bay, Thunder Bay Counselling Centre, School Mental Health Ontario, and McGill University’s Ludic Mind Studio.
Help in Hand will directly benefit youth, families, and schools across the region, while the knowledge generated will help inform how education and healthcare systems make decisions about the integration of digital technologies nationwide.
