Co-creating an intersectoral model for transitions from youth psychiatry care to civil society
Abstract
Background: Transitions between sectors represent a critical aspect in patient flow. Young people with mental health difficulties are particularly vulnerable in these transitions. This study evaluates the development of an intersectoral bridging model designed to support transitions from youth psychiatric care to civil society actors.
Methods: The study employed an iterative, participatory design integrating qualitative data and co-creation with diverse stakeholders. Data consisted of semi‑structured interviews with youths and relatives and field observations. Two participatory system mapping workshops were conducted with relatives and stakeholders from psychiatry care, municipalities, and civil society actors to identify transition barriers and design solutions.
Results: Findings show varied recovery status among youths at discharge, indicating differing needs for post–treatment support. Relatives were found to be key stabilizing actors but often strained following prolonged involvement in care trajectories. Cross-sectoral challenges included inconsistent communication between sectors and limited shared situational awareness regarding youths’ treatment pathways. The new bridging model was developed to integrate 1) strengthened relational ties across sectors, 2) flexible, individualized transitions, and 3) earlier and repeated introduction to civil society actors. Together, these elements form a relational infrastructure that supports young people’s movement between sectors and supports recovery beyond clinical treatment.
Conclusions: This study demonstrates that the participatory co-creation process was valuable in addressing key challenges in transitions from youth psychiatry to civil society incorporating perspectives from diverse stakeholders. By combining flexibility, sustained relational support, and early community‑based engagement, the model strengthens continuity across sectors and supports recovery beyond clinical care for vulnerable young people.
Key messages: • The participatory co-creation process was valuable in developing the intersectoral bridging model and in incorporating perspectives from diverse stakeholders.
• Combining flexibility, cross-sector relationships, and early civil society involvement, the transition model supports recovery beyond clinical care for young people with mental health difficulties.
Related
- Y.2.PK.2. Co-creating tools for intersectoral collaboration and citizen engagement in health promotion
- Editorial: 15 years of frontiers in psychiatry – wellbeing and society
- Sustaining Integrated Care for Vulnerable Youth: A Longitudinal Case Study of the Regina Intersectoral Partnership (TRiP)
- The transition of youth with diabetes from paediatric to adult diabetes care services: a consensus report of the joint working group of the International Society for Pediatric and Adolescent Diabetes (ISPAD), the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD) and the American Diabetes Association (ADA)
- Reported policy impacts through intersectoral action as a public health practice for health equity: a rapid scoping review
BibTeX
@article{kamstruplarsen2026cocreating,
title = {{Co-creating an intersectoral model for transitions from youth psychiatry care to civil society}},
author = {N Kamstrup-Larsen and ABG Hansen and CB Petersen},
journal = {The European Journal of Public Health},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.1093/eurpub/ckag169.1556},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1093/eurpub/ckag169.1556},
note = {CC BY-NC 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Co-creating an intersectoral model for transitions from youth psychiatry care to civil society
AU - N Kamstrup-Larsen
AU - ABG Hansen
AU - CB Petersen
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/01
JO - The European Journal of Public Health
DO - 10.1093/eurpub/ckag169.1556
UR - https://doi.org/10.1093/eurpub/ckag169.1556
AB - Background: Transitions between sectors represent a critical aspect in patient flow. Young people with mental health difficulties are particularly vulnerable in these transitions. This study evaluates the development of an intersectoral bridging model designed to support transitions from youth psychiatric care to civil society actors. Methods: The study employed an iterative, participatory design integrating qualitative data and co-creation with diverse stakeholders. Data consisted of semi‑structured interviews with youths and relatives and field observations. Two participatory system mapping workshops were conducted with relatives and stakeholders from psychiatry care, municipalities, and civil society actors to identify transition barriers and design solutions. Results: Findings show varied recovery status among youths at discharge, indicating differing needs for post–treatment support. Relatives were found to be key stabilizing actors but often strained following prolonged involvement in care trajectories. Cross-sectoral challenges included inconsistent communication between sectors and limited shared situational awareness regarding youths’ treatment pathways. The new bridging model was developed to integrate 1) strengthened relational ties across sectors, 2) flexible, individualized transitions, and 3) earlier and repeated introduction to civil society actors. Together, these elements form a relational infrastructure that supports young people’s movement between sectors and supports recovery beyond clinical treatment. Conclusions: This study demonstrates that the participatory co-creation process was valuable in addressing key challenges in transitions from youth psychiatry to civil society incorporating perspectives from diverse stakeholders. By combining flexibility, sustained relational support, and early community‑based engagement, the model strengthens continuity across sectors and supports recovery beyond clinical care for vulnerable young people. Key messages: • The participatory co-creation process was valuable in developing the intersectoral bridging model and in incorporating perspectives from diverse stakeholders. • Combining flexibility, cross-sector relationships, and early civil society involvement, the transition model supports recovery beyond clinical care for young people with mental health difficulties.
SN - 1101-1262
SN - 1464-360X
ER -