Accessing and re-accessing mental health walk-in clinics for children and families

Abstract

Background: Many child and youth mental health (CYMH) agencies across Canada and in Ontario are using mental health walk-in clinics (MHWCs). Objectives: (1) Explore how MHWCs are used by families (e.g. mean, mode, and median number of visits), and (2) document how often and how soon families returned for a second MHWC visit and identify correlates of time to a second MHWC visit. Design: Administrative data from two CYMH agencies in Ontario were extracted, including demographics, visit data, and presenting concerns. Methods: In this exploratory, descriptive study, analyses of administrative data were conducted to identify patterns and correlates of MHWC use before other agency services, compared to MHWC use exclusively. Results: About a third of children and families using MHWCs had two or more visits. Child age, guardianship, and disposition at discharge emerged as correlates of time to a second MHWC visit. Conclusion: MHWCs can save families’ time, and both agencies’ time and money by eliminating the need to complete a detailed assessment prior to treatment for cases that would go on to have a single visit within this service.