Bridging mental health and juvenile justice: Adolescents’ and parents’ experiences of intersectoral collaboration

Despite high rates of mental health problems among justice-involved adolescents, access to timely and continuous treatment remains inconsistent. Although intersectoral collaboration is increasingly promoted as best practice, little is known about the perspectives of the adolescents and their parents concerning the involvement and coordination of judicial and mental health services in the context of rehabilitation and reintegration. Since they are the ones navigating these complex systems, this study used in-depth interviews with 13 adolescents during or after their stay in a juvenile correctional facility and 10 parents. Using thematic analyses, four main themes were constructed: (1) customised support that transcends sectoral divisions and organisational silos, (2) collaboration between organisations and sectors, (3) client-centred relationships and (4) care with a long-term perspective. Our findings reinforce emerging evidence that relational continuity and a single coordinating role are pivotal determinants of sustainable youth mental health outcomes during and after detention.