The case for change

On February 19, 2014 the Office of the Child and Youth Advocate and the Alberta Mental Health Patient Advocate hosted A Policy-Practice Conversation Focusing on Children and Youth with Complex Needs and Access to the Mental Health System in collaboration with The Alberta Centre for Child, Family and Community Research. [...] The Office of the Child and Youth Advocate (OCYA) and the Mental Health Patient Advocate Office (MHPA) made a commitment to explore the issue further. [...] The collaboration on issues of access, navigation and quality between the OCYA, the MHPA and The Centre is one of many developments that show the increased awareness and importance of child and youth mental health in Alberta. [...] Mary Marshall, Alberta Health Advocate: Informed attendees of the Health Charter and her new role providing advocacy support and assistance for patients, seniors and families who are trying to navigate the health system and resolve complaints and concerns with health services. [...] The Case for Change Page 4 The Case for Change: Youth from iHuman: Delivered a performance based on lived experiences with the mental health system, providing a demonstration of the barriers associated with accessing services and reinforced the importance of relationships, collaboration and culture.