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Abstract
This narrative review examines evidence on mental health services and transitions for mentally ill patients moving from adolescence to adulthood. Authors found that current mental health systems in several jurisdictions lack the capacity to effectively transition youth between the ages of 16 and 25 to adult systems of care. A review of the literature reveals that key elements of effective transition can be divided into systemic, organizational and program-based categories. Systems of care must be coordinated with optimal communication; organizations should align institutional and developmental transitions while emphasizing flexibility in services and across organizations. Programs should incorporate authentic youth and caregiver engagement, include skills training and emphasize a community-based approach. There is evidence of positive outcome data for effective transitions, notably in educational advancement and employment. Existing models vary from clearly organized interventions targeted toward youth with severe emotional and behavioural disturbance to specific individual components that can be integrated in existing organizations or built into novel systems of care. The authors suggest that meeting the mental health needs of transition age youth requires optimization at systemic, organizational and programmatic levels and an ideal model of care should incorporate evidence-based approaches that are adapted to unique youth and community needs.