The gap between youth and adult mental health and substance use services leaves many young people without the continuity of care they need during a critical time in their lives.

The transition from youth to adult services is often confusing, fragmented, and deeply disruptive. A young person may have spent years building trust with a care provider, only to be handed off to an unfamiliar team or told to navigate the adult system on their own. They may have to repeat their story, find new services, complete referrals, and advocate for themselves at a time when they are already struggling. For some, the barriers are enough to make them give up. They fall through the gap.

This is why early intervention and continuity of care matter. When young people can access the right support early, they have a better chance of staying well, maintaining stability, and avoiding challenges escalating into crisis.

Mind the Gap was created to help change this.

In Phase One, our Youth Advisory Committee guided the development of a practical navigation guide for young people experiencing this gap. The guide launches in September and will help youth understand their options and find their way through a complicated system.

Now, we are moving into Phase Two. Guided by youth, we will design, pilot, and deliver new services to better support young people as they transition into adult care.

This is about more than navigating a system. It is about making sure young people do not lose care simply because they have reached a certain age.