IMPLEMENTATION OF A PEDIATRIC PATIENT NAVIGATOR FOR CHILDREN WITH DEVELOPMENTAL OR MENTAL HEALTH CONCERNS

Nearly 1 in 5 Canadians will suffer from a mental health condition, with most of these diagnoses beginning in childhood and adolescence. Few children and youth with developmental and mental health conditions have adequate access to necessary clinical, community and social services. Patient navigator programs can bridge this gap by facilitating connections to social services, supporting family coping strategies and advocating for patient clinical services, yet there remain few programs in Canada for this patient population