One in five children and youth, at any given time, experience a mental health issue. In Ontario, 73% of these children do not receive the care they need, particularly because there is a lack of knowledge and awareness of existing services. Prevention, early identification, and intervention especially through school-based community partnerships, can contribute to healthy individuals, an increase academic performance, and subsequently, healthy communities.
The Algoma Model seeks to develop and implement a collective vision for delivering a continuum of comprehensive, integrated evidence-informed services for children and youth through collaboration and partnership, and to maximize the use of existing resources to facilitate the development of the full abilities and capacities of children and youth in Algoma District.
The innovation consists of:
"Coming together is a beginning; keeping together is progress; working together is success."
- Henry Ford, Founder of Ford Motor company
The Algoma Model was developed by service providers in the Algoma District to support children and adolescents who were struggling with mental health and behavioral issues that disrupted one or more sectors of their lives, i.e. home, school, community.
Teamwork and Partnerships
Student Support Leadership Initiative ad-hoc team of AFS, ADSB and HSCSAB executives work closely
Strong initial community partnership has led to increased number of community partners asking to become part of the Algoma Model
Monthly Meetings to Develop and Implement Model
Initial monthly meetings to develop and implement model focusing on prevention, support, treatment and crisis as four quadrants of the model across geography of Algoma District
Strengthening and Developing New Protocols (ongoing)
Ongoing work to strengthen existing, and develop new protocols between community partners, e.g., CCAC MH nurses, School MH leads, Algoma Family Services, Sault Area Hospital, School-Parent Councils, Parent-Student Initiatives
Insufficient Resources
Insufficient resources for the program were overcome by leveraging existing resources in new and creative ways
Developing Positive Community Relationships
Positive community relationships were hard to build in areas where they were previously strained or non-existent
Determining Cost-Effective Outreach
Determining the best modality to use to reach the most people at the lowest cost
The model has become a major tool that school boards use to develop non-academic supports and programming for suspensions and expulsions. It has also been adapted by school boards in other parts of Ontario.
Local school board personnel also give presentations on where and how to access mental health resources to empower youth in schools.
Funders and Implementers
A formal evaluation has not been completed yet, however program usage is continuously monitored.
The initial design of the model was created with input from the Ontario Centre of Excellence.
Initial set-up cost was approximately $30,000 for the website.
In-kind contributions include(d):
A formal evaluation of cost effectiveness has not been undertaken.
A formal impact evaluation has not yet been completed
Statistics show an increase in usage over the past three years
Anecdotal reports from teachers indicate they and their students (grades 7-12), are using the website to access services
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Create your own page to tell the MHIN community about your innovation.
The Mental Health Innovation Network is jointly headquartered at:
The Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse
World Health Organization
20 Avenue Appia
1211 Geneva 27
Switzerland
London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine
Keppel Street
London
WC1E 7HT
UK
