Consensus Statement on the Mental Health of Emerging Adults: Making Transitions a Priority in Canada

The recommendations in the Consensus Statement on the Mental Health of Emerging Adults are aimed at people who have a role to play in improving the mental health of emerging adults.

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The Mental Health Commission of Canada is pleased to release the Consensus Statement on the Mental Health of Emerging Adults: Making Transitions a Priority in Canada. The recommendations in this report are aimed at people who have a role to play in improving the mental health of emerging adults.

Drawing on recommendations outlined in Taking the Next Step Forward: Building a Responsive Mental Health and Addictions System for Emerging Adults and other existing provincial/territorial strategies aimed at addressing issues around EA and youth more generally, the MHCC hosted the first Canadian consensus conference on the mental health of emerging adults in 2015.

The goal of the conference was to use a consensus approach to develop a statement with concrete recommendations that can advance policy and services for EAs in Canada — one that is supported by the MHCC’s Changing Directions Changing Lives: The Mental Health Strategy for Canada and interministerial policies that specifically address challenges that EAs face throughout the transitioning stage of life.

The release of the consensus statement also coincides with current discussions on the Health Accord. This timely report has the potential to inform provincial and territorial thinking about how to prioritize youth and emerging adult mental health within funding streams earmarked for mental health.

Follow this link to download the consensus statement and to learn more about this initiative.