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Abstract Background Prior research has showed the importance of providing integrated support services to prevent and reduce youth not in education, employment, or training (NEET) related challenges. There is limited evidence on NEET youth’s perspectives and preferences for employment, education, and training services. The objective of this study was to identify employment, education and training service preferences of NEET youth. We acknowledge the deficit-based lens associated with the term NEET and use ‘upcoming youth’ to refer to this population group. Methods Canadian youth (14–29 years) who reported Upcoming status or at-risk of Upcoming status were recruited to the study. We used a discrete choice experiment (DCE) survey, which included ten attributes with three levels each indicating service characteristics. Sawtooth software was used to design and administer the DCE. Participants also provided demographic information and completed the Global Appraisal of Individual Needs–Short Screener. We analyzed the data using hierarchical Bayesian methods to determine service attribute importance and latent class analyses to identify groups of participants with similar service preferences. Results A total of n=503 youth participated in the study. 51% of participants were 24–29 years of age; 18.7% identified as having Upcoming status; 41.1% were from rural areas; and 36.0% of youth stated that they met basic needs with a little left. Participants strongly preferred services that promoted life skills, mentorship, basic income, and securing a work or educational placement. Three latent classes were identified and included: (i) job and educational services (38.9%), or services that include career counseling and securing a work or educational placement; (ii) mental health and wellness services (34.9%), or services that offer support for mental health and wellness in the workplace and free mental health and substance use services; and (iii) holistic skills building services (26.1%), or services that endorsed skills for school and job success, and life skills. Conclusions This study identified employment, education, and training service preferences among Upcoming youth. The findings indicate a need to create a service model that supports holistic skills building, mental health and wellness, and long-term school and job opportunities.

Abstract Background Peer support relates to the provision of social/emotional support that is delivered by individuals with lived experience of a key characteristic that is shared with clients. Although the main objective of peer support is to enhance client outcomes, through their involvement, peers derive a secondary benefit to their own personal development. This study applied a hybrid participatory-realist approach to identify what works, for whom, why and in what circumstances within the LOFT Transitional Age Youth (TAY) peer services. This paper presents findings related to the processes and possible benefits of being involved in peer work for the peer supporters themselves. Methods Semi-structured interviews and focus groups were completed with peer and non-peer staff from the TAY program. A qualitative analysis applied a retroductive approach that involved both inductive and deductive processes to identify relevant themes. Results Four program theories and one over-arching context were identified through the analyses. Program theories were related to: (1) enhancing self-efficacy and self-determination through peer involvement in program design, (2) increasing peer resiliency and self-care through effective supervision, (3) developing professional skills and opportunities for career advancement through peer practice and (4) overcoming stigma through the recognition of the value of peer lived experience. Conclusions Peer practice holds significant potential for the enhancement of the mental health system as well as to increase our understanding of stigma. The findings from this study offer critical new insights into the dynamics of how professional peer practice can support the personal development of youth peers and how programming can be intentionally designed to enhance these benefits.

Abstract Background The economic shutdown and school closures associated with the COVID-19 pandemic have negatively influenced many young people’s educational and training opportunities, leading to an increase in youth not in education, employment, or training (NEET) globally and in Canada. NEET youth have a greater vulnerability to mental health and substance use problems, compared to their counterparts who are in school and/or employed. There is limited evidence on the association between COVID-19 and NEET youth. The objectives of this exploratory study included investigating: longitudinal associations between the COVID-19 pandemic and the mental health and substance use (MHSU) of NEET youth; and MHSU among subgroups of NEET and non-NEET youth. Methods 618 youth (14–28 years old) participated in this longitudinal, cohort study. Youth were recruited from four pre-existing studies at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health. Data on MHSU were collected across 11 time points during the COVID-19 pandemic (April 2020-August 2022). MHSU were measured using the CoRonavIruS Health Impact Survey Youth Self-Report, the Global Appraisal of Individual Needs Short Screener, and the PTSD Checklist for DSM-5. Linear Mixed Models and Generalized Estimating Equations were used to analyze associations of NEET status and time on mental health and substance use. Exploratory analyses were conducted to investigate interactions between sociodemographic characteristics and NEET status and time. Results At baseline, NEET youth were significantly more likely to screen positive for an internalizing disorder compared to non-NEET youth (OR = 1.92; 95%CI=[1.26–2.91] p = 0.002). No significant differences were found between youth with, and without, NEET in MHSU symptoms across the study time frame. Youth who had significantly higher odds of screening positive for an internalizing disorder included younger youth (OR = 1.06, 95%CI=[1.00-1.11]); youth who identify as Trans, non-binary or gender diverse (OR = 8.33, 95%CI=[4.17–16.17]); and those living in urban areas (OR = 1.35, 95%CI=[1.03–1.76]), compared to their counterparts. Youth who identify as White had significantly higher odds of screening positive for substance use problems (OR = 2.38, 95%CI=[1.72–3.23]) compared to racialized youth. Conclusions Our findings indicate that sociodemographic factors such as age, gender identity, ethnicity and area of residence impacted youth MHSU symptoms over the course of the study and during the pandemic. Overall, NEET status was not consistently associated with MHSU symptoms over and above these factors. The study contributes to evidence on MHSU symptoms of NEET youth.

Background: Peer support relates to the provision of social/emotional support that is delivered by individuals with lived experience of a key characteristic that is shared with clients. Although the main objective of peer support is to enhance client outcomes, through their involvement, peers derive a secondary benefit to their own personal development. This study applied a hybrid participatory-realist approach to identify what works, for whom, why and in what circumstances within the LOFT Transitional Age Youth (TAY) peer services. This paper presents findings related to the processes and possible benefits of being involved in peer work for the peer supporters themselves. Methods: Semi-structured interviews and focus groups were completed with peer and non-peer staff from the TAY program. A qualitative analysis applied a retroductive approach that involved both inductive and deductive processes to identify relevant themes. Results: Four program theories and one over-arching context were identified through the analyses. Program theories were related to: (1) enhancing self-efficacy and self-determination through peer involvement in program design, (2) increasing peer resiliency and self-care through effective supervision, (3) developing professional skills and opportunities for career advancement through peer practice and (4) overcoming stigma through the recognition of the value of peer lived experience. Conclusions: Peer practice holds significant potential for the enhancement of the mental health system as well as to increase our understanding of stigma. The findings from this study offer critical new insights into the dynamics of how professional peer practice can support the personal development of youth peers and how programming can be intentionally designed to enhance these benefits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The economic shutdown and school closures associated with the COVID-19 pandemic have negatively influenced many young people's educational and training opportunities, leading to an increase in youth not in education, employment, or training (NEET) globally and in Canada. NEET youth have a greater vulnerability to mental health and substance use problems, compared to their counterparts who are in school and/or employed. There is limited evidence on the association between COVID-19 and NEET youth. The objectives of this exploratory study included investigating: longitudinal associations between the COVID-19 pandemic and the mental health and substance use (MHSU) of NEET youth; and MHSU among subgroups of NEET and non-NEET youth. Methods: 618 youth (14–28 years old) participated in this longitudinal, cohort study. Youth were recruited from four pre-existing studies at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health. Data on MHSU were collected across 11 time points during the COVID-19 pandemic (April 2020-August 2022). MHSU were measured using the CoRonavIruS Health Impact Survey Youth Self-Report, the Global Appraisal of Individual Needs Short Screener, and the PTSD Checklist for DSM-5. Linear Mixed Models and Generalized Estimating Equations were used to analyze associations of NEET status and time on mental health and substance use. Exploratory analyses were conducted to investigate interactions between sociodemographic characteristics and NEET status and time. Results: At baseline, NEET youth were significantly more likely to screen positive for an internalizing disorder compared to non-NEET youth (OR = 1.92; 95%CI=[1.26–2.91] p = 0.002). No significant differences were found between youth with, and without, NEET in MHSU symptoms across the study time frame. Youth who had significantly higher odds of screening positive for an internalizing disorder included younger youth (OR = 1.06, 95%CI=[1.00-1.11]); youth who identify as Trans, non-binary or gender diverse (OR = 8.33, 95%CI=[4.17–16.17]); and those living in urban areas (OR = 1.35, 95%CI=[1.03–1.76]), compared to their counterparts. Youth who identify as White had significantly higher odds of screening positive for substance use problems (OR = 2.38, 95%CI=[1.72–3.23]) compared to racialized youth. Conclusions: Our findings indicate that sociodemographic factors such as age, gender identity, ethnicity and area of residence impacted youth MHSU symptoms over the course of the study and during the pandemic. Overall, NEET status was not consistently associated with MHSU symptoms over and above these factors. The study contributes to evidence on MHSU symptoms of NEET youth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Prior research has showed the importance of providing integrated support services to prevent and reduce youth not in education, employment, or training (NEET) related challenges. There is limited evidence on NEET youth's perspectives and preferences for employment, education, and training services. The objective of this study was to identify employment, education and training service preferences of NEET youth. We acknowledge the deficit-based lens associated with the term NEET and use 'upcoming youth' to refer to this population group., Methods: Canadian youth (14-29 years) who reported Upcoming status or at-risk of Upcoming status were recruited to the study. We used a discrete choice experiment (DCE) survey, which included ten attributes with three levels each indicating service characteristics. Sawtooth software was used to design and administer the DCE. Participants also provided demographic information and completed the Global Appraisal of Individual Needs-Short Screener. We analyzed the data using hierarchical Bayesian methods to determine service attribute importance and latent class analyses to identify groups of participants with similar service preferences., Results: A total of n=503 youth participated in the study. 51% of participants were 24-29 years of age; 18.7% identified as having Upcoming status; 41.1% were from rural areas; and 36.0% of youth stated that they met basic needs with a little left. Participants strongly preferred services that promoted life skills, mentorship, basic income, and securing a work or educational placement. Three latent classes were identified and included: (i) job and educational services (38.9%), or services that include career counseling and securing a work or educational placement; (ii) mental health and wellness services (34.9%), or services that offer support for mental health and wellness in the workplace and free mental health and substance use services; and (iii) holistic skills building services (26.1%), or services that endorsed skills for school and job success, and life skills., Conclusions: This study identified employment, education, and training service preferences among Upcoming youth. The findings indicate a need to create a service model that supports holistic skills building, mental health and wellness, and long-term school and job opportunities., (© 2024. The Author(s).)