According to an April 2020 CAMH survey completed by over 600 young people — and subsequent phases of data collection — many young people are experiencing a deterioration in their mental health. Thirty nine per cent reported significant problems with mood and anxiety, and for those who had previously sought mental health support, the figure jumped to 68 per cent.

It’s a situation that’s no secret, says Kris Depencier, Regional President, Greater Toronto at RBC, which has been working with mental health organizations across Canada.

“We know youth have been disproportionally affected in the past year,” says Depencier. “Their ability to feel in control and build their own future has been heavily disrupted – with school closures, high unemployment, and a general lack of opportunity. It’s no surprise to see an increased demand for mental health services and their ability to bounce back tested.”

Many Ontarians may already know of the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), which has a long track record of providing mental health support. But what they may not be as aware of Youth Wellness Hubs Ontario (YWHO), an innovative CAMH project that aims to bring the right services to youth (and their families), at the right time and at the right place, through low-barrier access to services and skill-building tools that can help them build resilience and overcome the issues they are facing.

As part of a nine-part series, RBC had the chance to hear from Dr. Joanna Henderson, project lead for YWHO, and get her perspective on the challenges facing youth today, the importance of developing resilience as a means of overcoming challenges and the way in which virtual services can offer support.

Why is it important to help youth develop resilience?

“Everyone needs skills and supportive people in their lives to help them anticipate and overcome the issues they may encounter,” says Dr. Henderson, adding that people who are resilient can effectively cope with, or adapt to, challenging situations.

“Dealing with challenges can make us grow and can make us stronger,” says Dr. Henderson. In other words, rather than merely bouncing back, the resilience people develop through the difficulties they face today can better prepare them to face future challenges.

“Promoting mental health encourages the development of resilience,” explains Dr. Henderson. “The reverse is also true: Promoting resilience leads to better mental health.”

How is engaging digitally helping youth navigate through the pandemic?

Digital solutions can create bridges, fill gaps and improve health equity. For instance, they can help underserved groups, such as Black, Indigenous, People of Colour and LGBTQ+, and improve access for people who live in remote or rural communities. They can also make information accessible and make it easier to connect with early intervention support. And during the pandemic, they are an essential outlet for support.

The YWHO Virtual Hubs provide an opportunity to create new approaches to mental health service delivery that take advantage of the strengths of technology. From April to June 2020, Dr. Henderson and her team saw nearly 3,000 youth access virtual services “Our hope is that people will be able to access the support they need wherever they are, and whenever they need it, because technology shouldn’t be a barrier for somebody who wants help,” says Dr. Henderson.

In the development of virtual services, she encourages authentic partnership with a diverse range of people to help ensure new solutions meet the needs of all populations — including those who previously had little access to treatment options.

How can organizations, corporations, and technology leaders play a role in youth mental wellness?

“We all have a role to play,” says Dr. Henderson. Some organizations, such as CAMH, have been leaders in the mental health space for decades, particularly through their commitment to evidence-based and purpose-driven services for people. When it comes to ensuring equitable digital access, system leaders have been stepping up to collaborate to create a system of care with a clear front door. Organizations play a huge part in advancing programming and funding to support youth wellness — even beyond the pandemic.

“Youth need our collective help as they prepare for their future, it’s an all-hands-on-deck effort,” says Depencier, “I’m immensely proud that RBC has been working with organizations like CAMH which has made great strides in guiding families and youth to quality services. YWHO’s evolution to digital is an important next step in ensuring even more youth get the support they need when they need it.”

Dr. Henderson says that there are many different paths through the pandemic, with some young people experiencing significantly more challenges than others. “There are many factors that contribute to mental health and we need to keep this in mind as we help young people cope: There is no ‘one story’ for young people.” Support environments she says — whether online or offline — need to be responsive, inclusive and adaptable.

“Overcoming adversity and building resilience doesn’t happen overnight, but this journey gets much easier when we find good support systems. We want to see Canada’s young people flourish and become the best version of themselves,” says Depencier. “After all, we know that when youth thrive, so does the rest of our country, today and in the future.”