Substance use health and addictions care
Helping build a more connected approach to mental health, substance use health, and addictions care.
Substance use health and addictions care
Why this work matters
Many children and young people with substance use health or addictions concerns experience concurrent mental health challenges. These issues often influence one another and can lead to more complex care needs.
Accessing support can be difficult, with multiple providers, different intake processes, and long wait times.
Supporting connected care
Children, young people, and families need high-quality care that addresses mental health, substance use health, and addictions together, including approaches grounded in harm reduction and greater recognition of behavioural addictions.
Our work focuses on addressing knowledge needs and supporting a more collaborative and comprehensive approach to care.
Work in action
Concurrent concerns
This project is building a clearer picture of current services in Ontario for young people with concurrent mental health, substance use health, or addictions concerns.
Through service mapping, online surveys, and virtual semi-structured interviews with young people, caregivers, and service providers, the project is identifying what supports exist, what's working well, and where gaps remain to inform future system planning and transformation.
Understanding priorities, informing next steps
In 2023, after many months of consultations with agency leaders, service providers, young people, and families, we released a report capturing our sector’s priorities, strengths, challenges, and needs related to substance use health and addictions. Cannabis use and problematic technology emerged as primary concerns.
The findings have guided our next steps and are helping shape a shared path forward for the sector.
Resources supporting substance use health and addictions care
From concurrent concerns and harm reduction to behavioural addictions and the transition to adulthood, these resources bring together evidence, insights, and practical guidance to support learning and action.