Understanding the Characteristics of a Large Cohort of Youths Accessing In-Person and Virtual Peer Support Services

Understanding is limited about how youths (ages 12-24) engage with peer support services across in-person, virtual, and hybrid formats, particularly within integrated youth services (IYS) settings. This study aimed to examine the demographic, health, and social characteristics of youths accessing peer support services; explore the types of peer support services utilized at an IYS initiative; and identify potential differences between clients who access in-person, virtual, and hybrid (i.e., in-person and virtual) services.

A secondary data analysis was performed for all youths who accessed youth peer support services at an IYS initiative in British Columbia, Canada, from April 2018 to February 2023. Self-reported demographic characteristics, mental health, and distress and the services accessed were examined across three modalities (in-person, virtual, and hybrid services).

During the study period, 3,586 unique youths attended 12,343 peer support visits. Youths had low self-rated mental health (poor, 35%; fair, 36%) and high distress (mean±SD Kessler Psychological Distress Scale score=30.73±9.08 out of 50) upon initial presentation. Significant differences were found among the in-person, virtual, and hybrid groups by age, race, and sexual and gender minority status.

This large cohort of youth peer support clients had extremely high distress at initial presentation. Youth peer support, provided through an IYS model with multiple modalities to improve service access for diverse youths, should be considered as one option for addressing systemic inequity in health care and the current global youth mental health crisis.