Blog

Although basic science is what interests me intellectually, I have always felt that it is important to disseminate and translate this knowledge into policy and practice.

As part of our work on bringing people and knowledge together, the Centre is developing a policy-ready paper on French language mental health services. To help with this, we’re seeking input from youth, families and services providers. What is it like receiving and delivering French language services?

My favorite part of this job is traveling around the province and meeting the passionate people that strive to enhance the lives of our children.

Our recently released Evidence In-Sight report highlights the positive benefits of family engagement for children, youth and families - as well as organizations, communities and the larger child and youth mental health system.

I really enjoy being a part of positive changes, and supporting people in making change. In a lot of areas I think we know what direction we need to be heading but are just struggling to step in the right direction for a number of different reasons.

In recent years, there have been significant shifts in the way child and youth mental health services are organized and delivered across Ontario. It is a move that will ensure children, youth and their families and caregivers can access services where and when they need them most. These changes have prompted us to take stock and reflect on ensuring our work remains relevant and responsive to the people we serve. The result is: A Shared Vision 2016-2018.

Are you looking to engage youth in your mental health agency or community? Or maybe you’re already working with youth who are engaged, but you want to find ways to take your work to the next level. While there’s no checklist or one size fits all approach for implementing youth engagement, there are lots of resources that can help you along the way. Our latest youth engagement toolkit brings together the latest evidence, tools and templates together to help get you started and keep this important work going.

During the past month, I’ve had an opportunity to meet with several new colleagues and partners. I am truly honored to have been selected as the successful candidate and I look forward to a long relationship with the Centre of Excellence and all its stakeholders.

Thanks to all of you for making this another productive year at the Centre. In the spirit of sharing, we’ve put together some of our favourite resources, some of yours and some new releases for you to enjoy.

The Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO) is pleased to name Michelle Hurtubise as the new executive director for the Ontario Centre of Excellence for Child and Youth Mental Health (the Centre), effective January 4, 2016.

The theme for this year’s World Suicide Prevention Day on September 10 is Preventing Suicide: Reaching Out and Saving Lives. Join us, and our youth suicide prevention/life promotion coaches, on Sept 15 at 1 pm as we discuss community approaches to youth suicide prevention/youth life promotion.

This year, our report highlights the common vision we share with young people, families, professionals, service agencies and communities: A vision to strengthen child and youth mental health services and build an accessible system of care.

The sheer size of this province makes a coordinated approach to mental health care for children and youth a challenge. I think that is why the Knowledge Broker role makes such great sense in this context.

Do you share our goal of building an effective, accessible and coordinated mental health system that makes sense for Ontario’s children, youth and families? Are you a service provider, leader, researcher, youth or family member who’s ready to put your experience to work at a provincial level? We want to hear from you.

In recent months, the Centre and the Youth Services Bureau of Ottawa (YSB) partnered on the development of an online learning module titled, Striving for equity: Anti-oppressive practice (AOP) in child and youth mental health.

I’ve always believed in the power of community. We all bring unique perspectives and our personal and professional stories inform the work that we do.