“You Don’t Slow Down, Just Find Ways to Pivot”: Mental Health Services During The COVID-19 Pandemic and Their Status Two Years Later

The COVID-19 pandemic affected services worldwide. We explored these pivots, at the end of 2020 and two years later, in three geographical areas in Ontario and one in Saskatchewan, Canada. Programs were run by youth-serving agencies (N = 19) that provided mental health, recreational, skill-building, mentorship, and educational services to youth and family members in urban and rural settings. Results revealed initial changes to the program’s structure and procedures, various challenges and tensions, and notable positive impacts. Updates after two years were summarized. Results can shape future policies on program delivery and staff support in the Canadian context post-pandemic.