Invited Commentary: ACCESS Open Minds Family and Carers Council

• DOI: 10.1111/eip.12821
• Publication Date: 2019-06-27T07:53:17Z
• Authors: Mary Anne Levasseur; Laurie Roeszler; Leah den Besten; Karen Pinkoski
• Keywords: 03 medical and health sciences; 0302 clinical medicine

ACCESS Open Minds Family and Carers (AFC) Council represents families carers, one of the key stakeholder groups participating in (ACCESS OM) (Malla et al., 2018). Families carers are often part a young person's life before that person even reaches first point contact with mental health services, an important resource treatment recovery youth affected by problems. Involving their youth's care as early possible increases chance better recovery. Within context OM core objectives AFC works to ensure at all 14 sites able participate fully transformation services proposed OM. This site has engaged on initiative, community's integrated holistic healthcare philosophy, well objectives. The also contributed maintaining family/carer representation national level Council, adding much terms community knowledge cultural tradition Council. states being while confidentiality youth. would like learn more about how activities, including activities. embedded overarching principles from outset project, family engagement. Youth representatives involved respective councils levels. is fortunate have had active this site, who shared information engagement tools, resources, expertise insights continues build capacity learning impact navigator offers peer support connects which best suit family/carer's desires needs. encourages research addition co-facilitating various for (eg, : Connections, EPI group, Parents Children's Mental Health chapter). activities led team members get involved. committed transforming engaging families/carers within its own Inuit traditions context. collaborated leads initiatives builds capacity. article describes lack intergenerational connectivity hesitation talk issues barriers involving care. Maintaining such small was identified challenge. Despite these challenges, efforts building leaders, through adaptation lay worker model. made great inroads healthcare. Site creative inclusive ways mapping exercise, owning participation NB. impressions NB place they can trust, critical seeking help. challenges establish Family-Caregivers Advisory Committee, reached out goal helping continue provincial advisory committee, possibility family-carer National come mutual understanding define “family.” fact were not mentioned does necessarily mean disengaged. may say involved, yet there be someone supporting healthy way. express desire meet clinicians alone expression independence, transition adulthood. As embrace system shifts away parental/family/carer involvement towards when need it. remain but different It vital include respecting youths' independence. balance achieved creating space conversation systems well-being. These conversations must ongoing sustained throughout pathway deep continued forms familial aim significant adult planning. optimistic team's mindset will strengthen future engage families. Early days project saw work diligently reorganize update aspects model adapt model, been grateful level. While curve sometimes steep stakeholders, thrilled current representative site's new Peer Support worker. if educating leading demonstrably outcomes both university student population; therefore, emphasis care, welcoming chooses team. acknowledges respects focus accommodate receive appropriate services. recognizes necessity commitment students concerns. strategies employed empower identify system, hopes invitation conversation. especially challenging homeless people local distant communities precarious situations. Yet neglected reaching possible. invite carer attend events present meetings, sharing updates Homelessness includes disenfranchisement family, family-orientated discussion points. RIPAJ though appear alone, homeless, it remains highly relevant, dialogue positive or support. pathway. approach provide insight other struggling carers. articles acknowledge endeavours document intended promote vision, needs, successes, particularly connect Such positions advisors hiring process service providers staff. looks forward continuing network initiatives. stated connecting each validated individual experiences, equipped practical tools cope, caring hope. Data insights, quantitative qualitative, documented disseminated demonstrating eager specific strategies, whether successful not, seek involve order cross learnings. Ongoing communication into uptake promising practices. Strategy Patient-Oriented Research (SPOR) funded Canadian Institutes Graham Boeckh Foundation.