About the Youth Psychiatry Program
The Youth Psychiatry Program provides specialized mental health treatment for youth aged 16-24, with a focus on collaboration, respect and evidence-informed treatment. Through the Young Minds Partnership with CHEO, we support young people facing serious or complex mental illness, offering coordinated care and a shared intake process to improve access and outcomes.
A referral by a health care provider is required.
Why early intervention matters
Most mental illnesses begin in adolescence or early adulthood. While some symptoms are similar to those seen in adults, others—such as inattention, impulsivity or hyperactivity—may be more prominent in youth.
Young people often lack the words or context to recognize what they’re feeling as symptoms of mental illness. Their distress can be misunderstood or dismissed as typical teenage behaviour, which can delay treatment.
Early recognition and treatment improve outcomes. Intervening early can reduce the severity of illness, lower the chance of recurrence, and help young people stay connected to family, school and community.
Parents, teachers and peers are often the first to notice when a young person is struggling. While not every change in behaviour is a cause for concern, the following signs may indicate the need for a mental health assessment.
- Noticeable decline in academic performance or school attendance
- Increased use of alcohol or other substances
- Significant changes in sleep or eating patterns
- Frequent physical complaints (such as headaches, stomach pain)
- Ongoing behavioural issues, including aggression, defiance or property damage
- Withdrawal from family, friends or activities
- Persistent low mood, hopelessness or changes in appetite
- Frequent anger, irritability or outbursts
- Low motivation, concentration difficulties or feelings of boredom
- Loss of interest in previously enjoyed activities
- Neglect of personal hygiene or appearance
- Obsessive concerns about body weight unrelated to health
- Risky, impulsive or sexualized behaviour that is out of character
- Bizarre or disorganized behaviour
- Expressions of worthlessness, hopelessness or suicidal thoughts
Services offered
The Royal’s Youth Psychiatry Program primarily serves youth between the ages of 16 and 18. In some cases, individuals under the age of 16 may be seen at The Royal when clinically appropriate.
The Royal and the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO) share a coordinated intake process to ensure timely and appropriate access to treatment for children and youth experiencing symptoms of mental illness. Clinicians from both organizations collaborate to provide integrated mental health services across the region.
Emergency mental health services for children and youth are available 24/7 through the crisis intervention team at CHEO.
The Inpatient Unit provides assessment, stabilization and treatment for youth with severe psychiatric illness who cannot be safely or effectively supported at home or in the community.
The unit includes eight beds and offers intensive care with a focus on helping youth return to their families, schools and communities as soon as possible.
Our Partial Hospitalization Unit provides day services for youth with severe mental illness who require intensive treatment to function at home or in the community.
This program is less intensive than inpatient hospitalization. To be considered for admission to the Partial Hospitalization Unit, a patient must be stable enough that they don’t require inpatient hospitalization. This unit can increase or decrease the level of support it provides as necessary within an individual youth’s treatment plan.
The Adolescent Day Treatment Unit provides comprehensive assessment, diagnostic clarification, intensive treatment and psychosocial rehabilitation in a community high school setting. The Royal delivers this service in partnership with the Ministry of Education and local school boards.
A specialized mental health team works alongside special education teachers to support adolescents who:
- Are experiencing early onset of a major psychiatric illness
- Have complex or severe emotional and behavioural symptoms
- Are unable to succeed in a mainstream school setting and may benefit from structured mental health and educational support
Care plans are developed collaboratively with the youth, their families or caregivers and community partners. The goal is to support each youth’s ability to return to school and participate fully in their community.
Referrals are made through the Coordinated Access and Referral Committee (Section 23) via the school board. If you believe this program may be appropriate for a student, please contact their school directly.
The Royal’s outreach services connect youth living with major psychiatric illness in Renfrew, Prescott-Russell, Stormont, Dundas or Glengarry counties to specialized mental health care. An interdisciplinary team works in partnership with local service providers to ensure access to psychiatric consultation and support close to home.
The Choice and Partnership Approach (CAPA) is a model of outpatient care that emphasizes collaboration between patients, families and clinicians. Treatment plans are developed together, based on individual goals, clinical need and personal strengths.
The goal is to provide the right care, from the right provider, at the right time—supporting timely access, clear treatment goals and shared decision-making.
Referrals
The Royal and CHEO share a centralized intake. Health care providers can refer a young person (under 18 years of age) using the Central Intake Form. Please fax completed referral forms to the Central Intake Team at (613) 798-2976.
A team of experts
The Youth Psychiatry Program at The Royal is delivered by an interprofessional team. Each member brings specialized expertise to support assessment, treatment and recovery planning. Treatment is tailored to each patient and coordinated to reflect their goals, needs and context.
Psychiatrists are medical doctors who assess, diagnose and treat mental illness. They may prescribe and monitor medication as part of a patient’s treatment plan. Psychiatrists collaborate closely with the broader care team to guide care decisions.
Psychologists hold a doctoral degree (PhD or PsyD) and are trained in the assessment, diagnosis and treatment of mental illness. Psychological associates are master’s-level clinicians who perform similar work. Both may provide diagnostic testing and deliver psychotherapy to individuals, families and groups.
Nurses assess health needs, provide psychoeducation and contribute to ongoing treatment and care planning. They support patients and families by promoting recovery and reinforcing safety, wellness and continuity of care.
Occupational therapists help patients build functional skills in areas such as self-care, education and community living. They develop goal-oriented plans to support youth in meaningful daily activities and successful community participation.
Recreation therapists deliver structured programming that promotes engagement, skill-building and wellness through leisure. They assist youth in accessing community-based activities and in planning for recreation as part of discharge and recovery.
Treatment made possible by research
Learn how our teams are connecting research and treatment to advance knowledge and improve outcomes.
