Dr. Skye Barbic, Professor in the Department of Occupational Science & Occupational Therapy, is the Head Scientist at Foundry, an Integrated Youth Service in British Columbia, that offers support for youth aged 12 to 24.
Dr. Barbic and her team were awarded funding by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) for their project ‘Towards a Learning Health System to support an Integrated Youth Services Network in Canada‘.
The project will use qualitative research to develop standards for mental health that can be implemented not just in BC, but across the country:
“If you walk into a hospital emergency department with a broken ankle there is a clear standard about how you treat broken ankles. If a young person, or anyone in general, shows up looking for mental health support or substance use support there is no standard of care. It’s extremely variable.”
Dr. Skye Barbic
Dr. Barbic’s work has been profiled in an enlightening article on the CIHR website, which explores the remarkable collaboration in the project and the huge benefits that the research will bring to youth mental health care.