FIGURE 1.

(A) Traditional service systems are characterized by being unfriendly to youth, having strict entry criteria, long wait times, and fragmented, poorly coordinated services. Youth are less likely to attempt to access such services when their needs are in early (less intense) stage, resulting in more individuals with unmet needs and difficulties accessing care when these needs grow. Care therefore becomes acute and intense in nature, including via emergency departments and other more costly services. (B) ACCESS Open Minds (AOM’s) service transformations result in more welcoming and youth-friendly services, looser entry criteria, rapid assessments, improved triaging and better coordination. This, along with AOM’s outreach programming, should result in more youth accessing services and reduced levels of unmet needs. When needs do arise, they are at earlier stages so can be met with lower intensity and less costly service settings.