The MEND (Meaningfully Empowering the Neurodiverse) Initiative: Helping Autistic Adults in the GTA Express their Mental Health Needs

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The MEND Initiative is a student-led Capstone project within the TRP. Our goal is to collaborate with autistic adults (18 years of age and older) in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) to develop an intervention that empowers them to express their mental health needs to their chosen healthcare provider(s).

Autism is a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by difficulties with socialization, verbal and nonverbal communication, and repetitive or restricted behaviours and/or routines (Lai et al., 2019). Autistic individuals experience a greater prevalence of mental health conditions compared to the neurotypical population (Lai et al., 2019). This is problematic as experiencing co-occurring mental health conditions increases the possibility of worse long-term health outcomes and quality of life (Lai et al., 2019).

Despite an increased need for mental health support, autistic adults in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) report experiencing difficulties expressing their mental health needs to their chosen healthcare provider, including family physicians, psychologists, social workers, and psychiatrists. Thus, there is a need to empower autistic adults to express their mental health needs to their chosen healthcare provider.

Our team has established our unmet need by conducting a needs analysis utilizing the Toronto Translational Framework (TTF). To understand the problem space and validate this need, we have spoken to a group of 10 autistic adults, 5 caregivers (a parent or sibling of an autistic individual), and 10 professionals working in the autism field (from organizations/institutions such as Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital, the Centre for Addictions and Mental Health (CAMH), and Autism Canada). Moreover, we have conducted reviews of white and grey literature and internet resources.