HEARTS Study Protocol: Helping Enable Access and Remove Barriers To Support for Young Adults with Mental Health-Related Disabilities

Young adults are disproportionally affected by mental illnesses (MIs) and often encounter numerous obstacles to accessing healthcare. Untreated MIs have high chronicity and recurrence and are associated with worse health and life outcomes. The aim of the study described in this protocol is to characterize and better understand the barriers and facilitators to accessing mental healthcare for young adults with mental health-related disabilities (YMHDs), focusing on the impact of functional impairment, determinants of health, and unmet healthcare needs. The study protocol, guided by critical realism, uses a patient-oriented sequential mixed-methods design and involves patient research partners (PRPs) to ensure the voices and perspectives of those directly impacted are central to the research process. This study includes a quantitative analysis of secondary data from the Canadian Community Health Survey and a qualitative analysis of semi-structured interviews with YMHDs. The data will be integrated by themes-by-statistics joint display. The study protocol follows the Tri-Agency Statement of Principles for data collection, storage, retention, sharing, and analysis, adheres to ethical guidelines to ensure participant confidentiality and informed consent, and has received institutional ethics approvals. This study will provide valuable insights into factors that act as barriers or facilitators to accessing care and inform the development of targeted interventions to improve access and support for YMHDs. This study has several strengths, including a participatory research approach that involves PRPs and other relevant stakeholders in the research process, a targeted focus on a specific age group, and the use of mixed-methods research and critical realism. This protocol describes a study that will inform policy, service delivery, and treatment options. This study has the potential to drive systemic change and significantly improve the lives and health of young people with mental health needs.