Qualitative Research

In keeping with the key principles identified for youth-centered mental health care (Leavey, Goering, Macfarlane, Bradley & Cochrane, 2000), and given the centrality of youth’s subjective experience, we provided youth with an opportunity to tell us, in their own words, their perception of mental health needs. Approximately 10% of subjects participated in qualitative interviews to elicit their perceptions of mental health need. Focus groups were also held at each of the participating community agencies to identify participatory action research strategies to effectively engage our community research partners and street youth in the process of learning about mental health needs of street-involved youth.

Specifically, we conducted 2 focus groups with 16 participants and 9 qualitative interviews with a subset of participants who participated in the quantitative phase of our study in order to further understand what might be helpful to support the mental health of street-involved youth. Youth identified the critical role of community agencies in supporting their transition to a healthy adult life. Without exception, these participants also identified the centrality of supportive relationships in becoming mentally healthy and strong.

“People need human contact. They need at least one person to say…I give a damn about you”
Study Participant

References:

Leavy, J., Goering, P., Macfarlane, D., Bradley, S. & Cochrane, J. (2000). The Gap: Moving toward youth-centered mental health care for transitional aged youth (16-24). Unpublished Report, Health Systems Research Unit, Centre for Addiction & Mental Health, Toronto, Ontario.