RIPAJ-Montréal/Homeless Youth Network, Québec
The Réseau d’Intervention de Proximité Auprès des Jeunes de la rue (RIPAJ) aims to strengthen collaboration between community organizations and institutions in the health network in order to improve access to all mental health services for youth aged 12 to 25. RIPAJ is made up of organizations and specialized teams that have been working for many years with youth in very precarious situations in and around downtown Montreal. RIPAJ’s partners include youth workers and professionals whose expertise in the delivery of community services has been used in the creation of the ACCESS Open Minds model.
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About Us
RIPAJ has been able to build the necessary bridges between the street, mental health and psychiatric services and the institutions and organizations involved to enable young people to achieve their life goals, i.e. to obtain a home and return to school or work in safe conditions. Regular administrative and clinical information-sharing meetings between the various stakeholders allow the establishment of a community of practice and the articulation of a common philosophy, while promoting a better knowledge of the partner organizations while respecting their particularities, so that there are no wrong doors to knock on to get help.
The originality of the ACCESS OM-RIPAJ project lies in the flexibility and mobility of the workers, who can travel to the home, the street, community organizations, in short, wherever the young people are. In addition to mental health professionals who are easily accessible on various RIPAJ sites, an “ACCESS OM clinician” can act as the first point of contact for them or any referring person. An initial assessment of the youth’s needs and mental health status is offered within 72 hours of the request. Youth can easily reach the ACCESS OM Clinician by telephone (438-390-6910), by text message or e-mail, directly or through a family member or counsellor, to meet her at a location of their choice. Assisted by members of the support team, the clinician will refer the youth to the services required by his or her situation or difficulties, to front-line or specialized services if necessary, and will accompany the youth’s progress, within RIPAJ and in the health network, until he or she obtains the required services.
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Our PartnersCACTUS - Community-Based Organization for the Prevention of Sexually Transmitted and Blood-Borne InfectionsDiogène- Offer services adapted to the needs expressed by adults with serious and persistent mental health problemsGIAP - Alternative peer intervention group, accompaniment. workshops, training, awareness, group and individual interventionPassages - A place of refreshment for any young woman in need, without regard or judgment on her situationRefuge des jeunes de Montréal - Emergency shelter, social housing with community support and day servicesL'ANONYME - Promote safe behaviours and egalitarian relationships and prevent the transmission of sexually transmitted and blood-borne infections
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Our Team
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Diane Aubin
Psychologist
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Amal Abdel-Baki
Psychiatrist & Site Lead
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Marie-Eve Dupont
ACCESS Clinician
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Romeo May
Youth Advisory Committee Member
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Chantelle Mireault
Site Coordinator (Interim)
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Montreal Youth Homeless Network
RIPAJ
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RIPAJ Youth Council