Supporting youth 12–24 during the COVID-19 pandemic: how Foundry is mobilizing to provide information, resources and hope across the province of British Columbia

Abstract

Foundry is a province-wide network of integrated health and social service centres for young people aged 12–24 in British Columbia (BC), Canada. Online resources and virtual care broaden Foundry’s reach. Its online platform – foundrybc.ca – offers information and resources on topics such as mental health, sexual wellness, life skills, and other content suggested by youth and young adults. The COVID-19 pandemic has presented significant and unique challenges to the youth and their families/caregivers served by Foundry. Disruptions to school, access to essential healthcare services such as counselling, familial financial security and related consequences has left young people with heightened anxiety. The Foundry team mobilized to respond to these extenuating circumstances and support BC youth and their families/caregivers during this hard time through three goals: (1) to amplify (and translate for young people and their families/caregivers) key messages released by government to support public health responses to the COVID-19 pandemic; (2) to develop content that supports the needs of young people and their families/caregivers that existed before COVID-19 and are likely to be exacerbated as a result of this pandemic; and (3) to develop and host opportunities through social media and website articles to engage young people and their families/caregivers by creating a sense of community and promoting togetherness and social connection during the COVID-19 pandemic. Each goal and plan integrated the leadership, feedback and needs of youth and their families through engagement with Foundry’s provincial youth and family advisory committees. Our study evaluated Foundry’s media response to the COVID-19 pandemic by recording/measuring (1) the website/social content created, including emerged thematic topic areas; (2) the process of topic identification through engagement with youth and young adults; (3) the social and website analytics of the created content; and (4) the constant, critical team-reflection of our response to the pandemic. Following measurement and reflection, our team offers recommendations to health promotion organizations for future preparedness.

Young Adults’ Mental Health and Unmet Service Needs in the Context of the COVID-19 Pandemic Across Canada and France

“…A WHO survey conducted in June–August 2020 indicated that more than two-thirds of mental health services globally were disrupted, especially school—and workplace-based mental health programs (World Health Organization, 2020 ). Although several digital adaptations and interventions have been implemented to support the mental health needs of young adults during the COVID-19 pandemic (Davenport et al, 2020 ; Zenone et al, 2021 ), several challenges remain for health services to provide virtual mental health support activities (e.g., telemedicine, online therapy) such as difficulty to reach people in need, develop quality services, and support to scale up those interventions (Bergin et al, 2020 ). For instance, technological and accessibility issues (e.g., poor internet connection, security concerns, safe private space) as well as lack of human connection (i.e., facilitating engagement and communication in a remote therapeutic relationship) were described as key barriers for accessing virtual mental health services by both clinicians and young adults (Hawke, Sheikhan, MacCon, & Henderson, 2021 ; Nicholas et al, 2021 ).…”

Future of digital health and community care: Exploring intended positive impacts and unintended negative consequences of COVID-19

“…In particular, systemic and policy barriers were identified in both cases given that the two main forms of virtual care are evident in both Scotland in the United Kingdom and British Columbia in Canada: the first being virtual healthcare service delivery (eg, assessment, consultation, and education), 27 , 28 and the second type concerns provision of health-related information via virtual platforms (eg, websites and social media). 29 The case studies in both the United Kingdom and Canada, supported by a growing literature, suggest similar potential systematic and political barriers that health leadership and management need to pay attention to effect positive digital change and innovation in health service provision.…”

Exploring how to enhance care and pathways between the emergency department and integrated youth services for young people with mental health and substance use concerns

“…In the province of BC, Foundry is an integrated youth service (IYS) in the community that provides care (including MHSU services) for young people ages 12–24 years [ 11 ]. There are currently eleven centres across BC, with twelve more in development, and a provincial virtual care service [ 19 ]. Foundry has five core service streams, including mental health, substance use, peer support, primary care, and social services.…”