This month, we launched the Youth Mental Health: Anxiety and Depression Tool for family physicians and primary care nurse practitioners.
According to Statistics Canada, youth aged 15 – 24 are more likely to experience mental illness and substance use disorders than any other age group. Under Dr. Muna Chowdhury’s clinical leadership, we developed the Youth Mental Health Tool to help primary care providers detect and manage youth patients with anxiety and depression. The tool encourages providers to routinely screen patients aged 12 to 24, to help determine if further assessment is needed, management and monitoring.
76 per cent of primary care providers who responded to our 2015 Needs Assessment in Primary Survey indicated that they were interested in receiving a tool on youth mental health. Furthermore, the Canadian Mental Health Association estimates that 10 to 20 per cent of Canadian youth are affected by a mental illness or disorder. This tool helps providers assess and manage youth patients who experience anxiety or depression. It features screening, management, monitoring and support options so providers can better assist their patients.
This tool is part of the Knowledge Translation in Primary Care Initiative. Click here to download the tool.