A qualitative study of Canadian mental health service providers’ perspectives on mental health guidelines for youth involved in the justice system

Background Commonly, youth in the justice system (YIJS) experience mental health concerns that are often accompanied by an unmet need for mental health and substance use services. Currently, guidelines for mental health and substance use treatment for youth involved in the justice system are often unclear, particularly regarding how assessments and services should be implemented in practice. Methods The current work focused on virtual semi-structured focus groups with 30 mental health service providers (MHSP) from two Canadian provinces to explore areas for improvement with respect to guidelines for mental health and substance use treatment for mental health guidelines for youth involved in the justice system. An integrated knowledge translation approach was also employed to maximize the relevance and impact of this research. Results There was a lack of clear guidelines for mental health services to youth involved in the justice system. While MHSP were guided in their work by broader principles such as trauma-informed care and client-centered care, a clear process outlining the path to frontline implementation when serving YIJS was lacking. Participants recommended the development of guidelines serving YIJS that consider the diversity and complex needs of this population, incorporate the voices of such youth and their families, and consider the diverse skills and resources of those involved in the provision of mental health services. Conclusions Overall, this study supports the development of clear guidelines that can enhance mental health services and promote positive outcomes for youth involved in the justice system.