This study explored barriers and facilitators to cross-sector collaboration from the perspectives of frontline workers who provided youth mental health services in the sectors of health, child/social services, education and schools, policing and community agencies in Alberta, Canada. The goal is to better serve youth and families and improve navigation across diverse service delivery sites and sectors.
A qualitative approach collected data from participants in social (child) services, policing, schools, healthcare and community organisations. Recruitment was guided by an advisory group of patients with lived experience (i.e. parents, caregivers, youth) and community organisation managers from rural and urban areas. One-on-one interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim. Data analysis followed Interpretative Description methods to explore complex experiential questions and emerging phenomena to develop pragmatic recommendations for practice.
Of the 17 frontline professionals interviewed, 8 were in healthcare, 2 in social services, 2 in policing, 3 in education and 2 community members. The overarching concept (theme) of “Tensions and Opportunities Across Sectors” supported by three attributes (subthemes): (1) services for child and youth mental healthcare services in a state of incongruity (discordance), (2) seeking trust of services and providers and (3) creation of mental health service hub. Challenges and gaps identified “inconsistent and disconnected information”, “geographic isolation”, “individual agency mandates” and solutions proposed: “municipal/local level control”, “enhance communication” and “personalised pathways of care”.
Cross-sector collaboration requires youth and families, frontline workers and policymakers involved in designing an adaptive program to enhance service delivery.
