Abstract
Background: SunRYSE (Sunnybrook Restoring Youth Summer Experience) was developed to address the growing need for integrated youth mental health support in North Toronto. Recognizing that many existing mental health programs cater primarily to adults, SunRYSE provides targeted support for youth aged 13-16 experiencing complex mental health challenges. This innovative summer pilot program is a collaborative effort led by Sunnybrook’s Department of Psychiatry and the North Toronto Ontario Health Team, alongside community partners including the Toronto Catholic District School Board (TCDSB), SPRINT Senior Care, and Pine River Institute.
Objective: SunRYSE aims to support youth with school avoidance, social anxiety, and emotional regulation challenges. The program offers a holistic, camp-like experience, focusing on enhancing mental, emotional, and physical well-being. Additionally, youth participants receive academic credit, helping to bridge their return to school. Parental involvement is also a key component, providing families with psychoeducation and support to reinforce the program’s impact.
Approach: The program uses an integrated care model that brings together psychiatrists, allied health professionals, primary care providers, and recreational therapists to offer a supportive environment. Through therapeutic interventions, life skills training, academic support, and recreational activities, SunRYSE aims to build resilience, confidence, and social skills among participants. The structure and routine foster personal growth and readiness for the upcoming school year.
Program Impact and Feedback: In its initial run, SunRYSE supported 7 youth participants. Quantitative data showed improvements in symptom rating scales for anxiety and depression (GAD-7 and QIDS), and 100% of parents reported satisfaction with the program’s structure, communication, and environment. Qualitative feedback highlighted the benefits of professional guidance, social belonging, and routine for the youth, as well as suggestions for deeper parental involvement and clearer program content. Observed improvements included increased resilience, social engagement, and independence in participants.
Conclusion and Implications: SunRYSE exemplifies how integrated, collaborative approaches can support the multifaceted needs of youth with complex mental health challenges. By fostering cross-sector partnerships and aligning program objectives with youth and family needs, SunRYSE offers a replicable model for mental health support in other regions. Future directions include expanding the program’s scope, increasing parental education, and creating feedback loops with schools to support individualized learning plans.
Significance: SunRYSE demonstrates the impact of integrated care on youth mental health, illustrating the potential for hospital-community partnerships to fill critical service gaps and promote long-term mental well-being for young people facing adversity.