Transitional-Age Youths: Barriers to Accessing Adult Mental Health Services and the Changing Definition of Adolescence

This article examines the transition from adolescence to adulthood, which can be difficult for many youth, more so for those with mental health issues. Youth typically age out of the children's mental health system at 18 years, yet adult services often fail to meet the unique needs of “Transitional Aged Youth” (TAY). Given the changing demands of society, traditional milestones and roles associated with becoming an adult have now been pushed into mid-20s. This requires a changing definition of adolescence with expanded services to match this population's needs. Existing TAY programs along with theoretical and clinical recommendations are discussed.