Are we out of the woods yet? Youth-developed recommendations on recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic: A national Delphi study.

Objectives: To generate concrete, youth-derived recommendations to support Canada's post-pandemic recovery from COVID-19 to support youth mental health and substance use (MHSU), economic, and educational recovery.

Methods: Using a virtual, modified Delphi, participants rated recommendation items over three rounds, with the option to create their own recommendation items. A priori consensus was defined as ≥ 70% of the entire group, or subgroups of youth (e.g., age, race/ethnicity, gender and sexual identities), rating items at a 6 or 7 (on a 7-point Likert scale). Items were dropped in subsequent rounds if they did not achieve consensus. Qualitative responses were analyzed using content analysis for Round 1.

Results: A total of 40 youths participated in Round 1, with good retention (97.5%) in subsequent rounds. Youths achieved consensus on eight recommendations to support post-pandemic recovery. Youths endorsed post-pandemic strategies that prioritize the implementation of effective, accessible, and low-cost MHSU services in schools, workplaces, and communities; the integration of MHSU education into school lessons; increased awareness about MHSU services in schools and workplaces; and the prioritization of health and well-being in schools and workplaces.

Conclusion: Findings indicate the need for stronger partnerships between schools, community-based MHSU services, and hospitals, and job opportunities that pay a living wage.