eMH Youth Research Pilot Project

Information for Health Professionals

e-Mental Health for Youth & Young Adults in Alberta Project

This pilot project will evaluate the implementation and impact of an e-Mental Health platform, InnoWell, across Alberta.

Evaluation of this program will occur at AHS clinics, Primary Care Networks and schools in partnership with researchers at the University of Calgary.

The platform offers:

  • Measurement-based care: Validated patient assessment across 20 mental health and substance use domains that identifies areas of risk and areas of strength to inform treatment planning and track progress. Both the provider and client can view and monitor these scores.
  • Virtual support: A suite of curated virtual resources and apps to complement care and support client needs.
  • Crisis options: Crisis helplines and websites for clients in crisis or with high-risk scores.

Seeking Interested Providers

Are you a mental health provider offering free mental health services to youth and young adults aged 15-24? We are interested in working with providers at Alberta Health Services, primary care networks, schools, post-secondary institutions, and community organizations.

If you are interested in having your site join this initiative, email emh@ahs.ca to learn more.

Partners

  • Alberta Health Services
  • University of Calgary
  • University of Sydney
  • Primary Care Networks
  • Schools
  • Indigenous communities
  • Community organizations
  • Youth with lived experience

Research Information

This project will determine the impact of e-Mental Health as a support to existing systems.

The research and evaluation team will assess the following aspects of this project:

  • Uptake of the e-Mental Health platform by clinical service providers and youth
  • Impact on the experience of delivering and receiving care
  • Clinical outcomes for youth and young adults
  • Mental health-related emergency department visits

The University of Calgary Conjoint Health Research Ethics Boards (REB21-0343) has approved this study.

Youth Engagement

This project is for youth, with youth. Both provider and youth partners are essential to its success. Youth are participating in several different ways:

Community Youth Lead: Youth & Young Adults ages 15-24 bring their lived experiences with mental health concerns. Youth leads promote youth engagement in their community and support the development of youth research capacity.

Youth Mentor: Youth & Young adults ages 15-30 who provide mentorship and coaching to the Youth Lead roles.

Youth Co-Researcher: Youth & Young Adults ages 15-24 who participate in the research process. Youth co-researchers may co-develop research questions, analyze data, and share knowledge within the communities. Visit PaCER Patient and Community Engagement Research for more information.

Participant in Research: Youth & Young Adults ages 15-24 who engage as research participants through their use of the InnoWell Platform, involvement in focus groups and surveys.

Youth Collaborator: Youth ages 15-24 who would like to be involved in the project but do not necessarily take on existing youth engagement positions. There are ad hoc positions available for youth collaborators.

Principle Investigators

  • Dr. David Johnson, Alberta Health Services
  • Dr. Gina Dimitropoulos, University of Calgary

Project Supporters

This project is funded by a $1.9M investment by the Alberta Children’s Hospital Foundation, $1M from Alberta Innovates – Health Solutions, and $2M from the Alberta Health Addiction & Mental Health COVID-19 Response Grant. AHS Provincial Addiction & Mental Health and the University of Calgary are operationalizing the rollout in partnership with Primary Care Networks, AHS Addictions and Mental Health, schools, community-based organizations, and local youth.