Trajectories of psychiatric care in an innovative outpatient program designed for transitional age youth (16 to 24 years old) in French-speaking Belgium: results of a retrospective study

Introduction Transitional age youth (TAY), from 16 to 24 years old, are a particularly at-risk population in mental health. They have specific needs, not currently covered between child and adolescent health services (CAMHS) adult (AMHS), mainly because of existing barriers. Objectives This retrospective study was carried out describe sociodemographic clinical characteristics 243 patients who attended new TAY-tailored outpatient psychiatric program. Methods Outcomes related trajectories care were analysed, such as leading symptom, consultation’s referral requester, final orientation. Results The sample composed by female; the average 18.7 (± 2.0) years. Leading symptoms divided into three dimensions: internalizing (67.5%), externalizing (21.8%) psychotic (10.7%). symptom differed according sex (p<0.001), with more frequent women, men. Patients presenting significantly older than both those (p=0.016) (p=0.008). After first assessment, 81.5% followed-up our program, without any difference (p=0.081) or (p=0.092). Overall orientation showed flowchart. Conclusions program represents an innovative contribution reinforce CAMHS-AMHS interface French-speaking Belgium. enlightens importance enhance expertise Classical boundaries, determined artificial variables type psychopathology, do seem be efficient criteria achieve good quality evaluation continuity TAY. Disclosure authors declare no potential conflicts interest. part University Chair “Psychiatry Transition World Transition” (Université Libre de Bruxelles - ULB) support Julie Renson Fund, Queen Fa