Loading Curie Briefs...
Getting the latest healthcare news for you
Getting the latest healthcare news for you
Shifting youth mental health care out of hospitals and into communities pays off — literally. A Canadian study found that the ACCESS Open Minds program reduced hospital admissions, specialist visits, and residential placements compared to standard care. The program also saved an average of $4,355 per person annually, delivering nearly $10 in return for every dollar invested.
A large Canadian study published in The Lancet Psychiatry found that the ACCESS Open Minds program — a community-based youth mental health model — significantly outperformed standard care for young people aged 11–25. Compared to over 9,000 peers receiving traditional services, roughly 1,400 youth enrolled in the Edmonton ACCESS Open Minds site showed greater reductions in hospital admissions, outpatient visits, specialist and GP consultations, and residential treatment placements — even though they entered the program with more complex needs.
The model offers rapid access to care through walk-ins, phone, email, and social media, while integrating culturally relevant services, physical and sexual health support, Indigenous traditional supports, and family involvement. A standout feature is the ACCESS clinician — a youth-friendly navigator who guides young people and their families to the right services at the right time.
By the Numbers:
Why it matters: With long wait times and overwhelmed mental health systems, this model demonstrates that investing in accessible, inclusive, community-based care — particularly for youth with complex needs — can meaningfully reduce costly emergency and hospital-based interventions while delivering better outcomes.
