Integrated Collaborative Care Teams for Youth With Mental Health and/or Addiction Challenges (YouthCan IMPACT)

This study is a pragmatic randomized control trial (RCT) with random allocation occurring within each hospital site to either treatment as usual (TAU) (4 out-patient hospital sites) or treatment at one of 3 community-based Integrated Collaborative Care Teams (ICCTs). A total of 500 youth aged 14-18 with mental health and/or addictions (MHA) concerns, referred for out-patient services at one of four local hospitals, will be randomized to receive ICCT care versus TAU. For each youth, a primary caregiver will also be recruited into the study, if available. With wide inclusion criteria and a design meant to emulate a "real world" setting, this study will rigorously evaluate a service delivery model composed of multiple interventions for youth presenting with a broad range of MHA problems. The ICCT is expected to result in better MHA outcomes, show better performance indicators, and be more cost-effective than TAU.