Across Canada, young people are experiencing rising mental health needs at a time when many continue to face barriers to accessing the support they need. As communities, service providers, and families work together to strengthen access to care, innovative models are emerging to offer support that’s more youth-centred — meeting young people where they are and responding to the full spectrum of their wellbeing.
In New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Newfoundland and Labrador, a new wave of support for youth and their support systems is taking root, bringing vital services closer to home with a holistic, community-driven approach that embeds care in the spaces where youth already have support networks — or are in the process of building them.
The Integrated Youth Services (IYS) model is revolutionizing mental health and substance use care for young people and strengthening community-based support with a model that draws on lessons learned in other provinces, adapting them to local needs and applying a comprehensive definition of wellbeing.
"At Medavie, we know that health outcomes are improved when care is embedded in the community," says Martine DesRoches, Vice President of Primary Care Network with Medavie Health Services New Brunswick. “That’s why the Medavie Foundation’s investment in IYS is so exciting — it will break down barriers and make mental health and wellness services more accessible for young people.”
What makes IYS unique is that it was designed not just for youth, but with them. Built through years of consultation and engagement with young people, service providers, and community leaders in every region, each province’s IYS network has a distinct identity that reflects the local culture, history, and values.
The model combines the strength of healthcare providers, community organizations, governments, and philanthropy to deliver accessible and holistic services to youth and caregivers. In each province, a healthcare organization is selected through a formal process to lead the development of IYS sites and services. These organizations then recruit community-based organizations with different areas of expertise to partner in delivering care and other support services to young people.
In collaboration with these community organizations — many of whom are also Medavie Foundation partners — IYS sites bring together a wide range of free services like counselling, peer support, primary care, housing assistance, employment programs, physical activity, food programming, and more. By offering all these services under one roof, the IYS model recognizes that mental wellbeing is deeply connected to the social determinants of health and seeks to address them in a coordinated, compassionate way.
IYS sites are walk-in friendly, open evenings and weekends, and rooted in the communities they serve. With programs and services delivered through local organizations youth already know and trust, the model helps break down traditional barriers that often prevent young people from seeking help. There’s no appointment needed, no cost, and no wrong door. For many youth and caregivers, that accessibility is life-changing.
"I truly believe that when we bring mental health and support services into the heart of urban and rural communities, we’re giving young people and their families something incredibly important — holistic care that will make a lasting difference in their lives," adds DesRoches.
Speaking openly about mental health is an important part of improving access to care. Through peer support and human connection, IYS fosters resilience and belonging by helping to create safe, welcoming spaces where youth can connect with others, form lasting relationships, and talk openly without fear of judgment or discrimination.
As the IYS network expands in Canada, it’s also creating new opportunities for information-sharing and data collection that helps identify needs and inform best practices. With more locations to come, this growing system of care is offering a new level of support that breaks down barriers, reduces stigma, and makes it easier for young people and their families to access care when and where they need it.