Mental Health Integration and Navigation (MH-IN) Evaluation Report
MH-IN is an innovative mental health pathway to care model that has been developed by the Sun Life Chair in Adolescent Mental Health Team to create and implement a seamless process that can improve mental health and mental health care for young people. It includes: curriculum and other information to improve knowledge about mental health and mental illness; training of teachers and other school personnel to help identify young people who may have a mental disorder; establishing a seamless referral process between schools and health providers, training primary health care providers (doctors and nurses) in the diagnosis and best treatments for youth with a mental disorder and supporting young people being treated for a mental disorder on their return to school. Parent information about normal adolescent development and teen mental health is also now available.
This model is currently being piloted in Nova Scotia in collaboration with the Nova Scotia Department of Education, Schools Plus Program, South Shore Regional School Board, IWK Health Centre and Mental Health and Addictions Program, South Shore Primary Care and South Shore Mental Health Services.
The first pilot project was conducted at Forest Heights Community School and the report of this project is available for review. It contains a description of the project process, preliminary data, and lessons learned for future practice and research.
