ACCESS Open Minds
ACCESS Open Minds is a pan-Canadian not-for-profit research network operating 16 youth mental health service sites across Canada. It delivers and evaluates integrated youth mental health services for ages 11-25, funded primarily by CIHR grants and the Graham Boeckh Foundation.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2015
- HeadquartersMontréal, Canada
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What ACCESS Open Minds does
ACCESS Open Minds is a pan-Canadian not-for-profit research and service transformation network headquartered at the Douglas Mental Health University Institute in Montréal, Canada. Founded in 2015 as the first network funded under the Canadian Institutes of Health Research's Strategy for Patient-Oriented Research (SPOR), the organization connects youth aged 11-25, families and carers, service providers, researchers, and policy makers to redesign youth mental health care across Canada. Its service footprint spans 16 sites across 7 provinces and 1 territory, including urban, rural, remote, First Nations, Inuit, post-secondary, and homeless youth contexts, with 7,539 youth served cumulatively as of August 2020 and a 60% year-over-year increase in referrals.
The network's core technology stack is a learning health system anchored by Canada's first real-time pan-Canadian data repository, which transmits outcome and wait-time data to clinicians and service providers across all sites. Standardized evaluation is enforced through the Minimum Evaluation Protocol (PEM), a 3.5-year longitudinal assessment of service user outcomes, context, processes, and family impact, deployed under a stepped-wedge cluster randomized trial design. The PRISM (Pathway for Rapid, Internet-based, Self-referral to Mental health services for youth) platform enables direct digital self-referral into local youth mental health teams. Specialized sub-initiatives include the Photovoice arts-based research methodology, peer support services research, and the Indigenous Youth Mental Health and Wellness Network (AEO) led by Dr. Christopher Mushquash and Dr. Srividya Iyer with $10.8M in CIHR Phase 2 funding (2025-2029) and 175+ members.
The business model is grant-funded and not commercial. Primary revenue sources are CIHR/SPOR grants ($10.8M Phase 2 award and prior funding), foundation support (Graham Boeckh Foundation, Bell Let's Talk), and project-specific government or institutional funding ($2.32M Centre des Compétences for workforce integration with CAMH, Foundry, and Youth Wellness Hubs Ontario; $1M 2022 federal seed). Services to youth and families are provided free of charge; training and collaboration services operate on a not-for-profit, cost-recovery basis. Donations flow through the Douglas Institute Foundation. The central office operates with 1-10 employees, with the broader network distributed across partner institutions including McGill University, University of Alberta, Douglas Institute, Eskasoni Mental Health Services, and Nunavik Regional Board of Health and Social Services.
ACCESS Open Minds firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- ACCESS Open Minds
- Legal name
- ACCESS Open Minds
- Website
- https://accessopenminds.ca
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2015
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- ACCESS Open Minds is a pan-Canadian not-for-profit research network operating 16 youth mental health service sites across Canada. It delivers and evaluates integrated youth mental health services for ages 11-25, funded primarily by CIHR grants and the Graham Boeckh Foundation.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
ACCESS Open Minds industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Youth Mental Health Services
- NAICS
- Child and Youth Services (62411), Child and Youth Services (624110), Social Assistance (624)
- SIC
- Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Health Services (8000)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Integrated Behavioral Health (Collaborative Care) Platforms (HLALAEAC)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Care Navigation, Referral & Digital Front Door Platforms (HLALABAH)
Keywords
Where ACCESS Open Minds is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Montréal
- HQ country
- Canada
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
ACCESS Open Minds business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Research Grant Funding: Primary funding from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) under the Strategy for Patient-Oriented Research (SPOR) and the Network of Networks - Integrated Youth Services (N2-IYS) initiative. The network received $10.8 million over four years (2025-2029) from CIHR for Phase 2 of the Indigenous Youth Mental Health and Wellness Network.
- Foundation Funding: Funding from private foundations including the Graham Boeckh Foundation and other charitable donors. Donations are processed through the Douglas Institute Foundation.
- Centre des Compétences Investment: $2.32 million investment from the Centre des Compétences (Skills Centre) for a two-year project helping 360 young people facing barriers due to mental health issues enter the workforce, implemented in collaboration with CAMH.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels6 records
ACCESS Open Minds product offering
Product offeringCore offering
ACCESS Open Minds operates a pan-Canadian network of 16 service sites that delivers youth mental health services and conducts patient-oriented research for youth aged 11-25. The network provides rapid access assessment within 72 hours and appropriate care within 30 days, connecting youth, families/carers, researchers, service providers, and policy makers across urban, rural, remote, First Nations, and Inuit communities. Services are funded by government grants and foundations and offered free of charge to youth and families.
Product overview
ACCESS Open Minds is a pan-Canadian healthcare research network and service transformation initiative for youth mental health, operating as a single unified platform. The core offering comprises the national service site network spanning 16 locations across Canada, supported by the pan-Canadian data repository and learning health system for real-time monitoring. Key products include the PRISM online self-referral system, the Minimum Evaluation Protocol for standardized assessment, and the Photovoice arts-based research initiative. The Indigenous Youth Mental Health and Wellness Network (AEO) represents a dedicated sub-network for First Nations, Inuit, and Métis youth. Services are provided across urban, rural, remote, First Nations, Inuit, post-secondary, and homeless youth contexts, with the network connecting youth (ages 11-25), families/carers, researchers, service providers, and policy makers.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- ACCESS Open Minds Youth Mental Health Services Network A pan-Canadian network operating 16 service sites within existing healthcare and community organizations that delivers direct youth mental health services, including rapid access assessment within 72 hours, appropriate care within 30 days, art therapy, group therapy, symptom management counseling, and healthy lifestyle guidance, free of charge to youth aged 11-25 and their families.
- Indigenous Youth Mental Health and Wellness Network (AEO) A dedicated sub-network focused on improving the health and wellness of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis youth across Canada through culturally appropriate mental health services, integration of Indigenous knowledge and traditional healing practices, and a digital repository of tools. Led by Dr. Christopher Mushquash and Dr. Srividya Iyer with over 175 members.
Quantifiable outcome
- 84% of youth obtain initial assessment appointment within 72 hours
- +5 more outcomes
Companies that use ACCESS Open Minds
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments6 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
ACCESS Open Minds technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature5 records
ACCESS Open Minds partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered major, core and supporting.
- Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH)majorCollaborating on the Centre des Compétences project for youth employment and mental health, and jointly launching initiatives to help young people with mental health challenges find employment.
- FoundrymajorBC-based integrated youth services initiative partnering with ACCESS OM on multiple projects including the Centre des Compétences employment project and network collaboration.
- Youth Wellness Hubs OntariomajorOntario-based integrated youth services initiative partnering with ACCESS OM on the Centre des Compétences employment project and network of networks collaboration.
- Aire ouvertemajorQuebec's provincial integrated youth services initiative, part of the Network of Networks-Integrated Youth Services (N2-IYS) collaboration with ACCESS OM.
- Douglas Mental Health University InstitutecoreThe host institution for ACCESS OM's Central Office, affiliated with McGill University. Provides research infrastructure, facilities, and administrative support.
- Thunderbird Partnership FoundationcoreIndigenous-led organization led by Dr. Carol Hopkins, part of the Indigenous Youth Mental Health and Wellness Network with over 175 members.
- First Peoples Wellness CirclecoreIndigenous-led organization led by Dr. Brenda Restoule, part of the Indigenous Youth Mental Health and Wellness Network focused on First Nations, Inuit, and Métis youth.
- McGill UniversitycoreAcademic partner providing research leadership through investigators including Ashok Malla, Srividya Iyer, and others. Site investigators from multiple departments.
- University of AlbertamajorAcademic partner with multiple investigators including Dr. Jai Shah, and host of ACCESS OM site at the University of Alberta for student mental health services.
- Kids Help PhonesupportingPartner organization providing mental health resources and referrals. Listed as a partner with resources and referrals for youth in crisis.
- Eskasoni First NationmajorACCESS OM site operating within Eskasoni Mental Health Services, providing culturally appropriate youth mental health services in the Mi'kmaq community.
- Nunavik Regional Board of Health and Social ServicesmajorPartner organization operating ACCESS OM services in Nunavik (Puvirnituq), providing services to Inuit communities in northern Quebec.
Scale indicators11 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
ACCESS Open Minds competitors and assessment
Company assessmentOthers
- Jack.org: Canadian charity mobilizing young leaders in mental health education and advocacy. Comparable youth-engagement model and pan-Canadian footprint, though focused on awareness rather than clinical service delivery.
Direct peers
- Kids Help Phone: Canada-wide 24/7 e-mental health service for youth via phone, text, and live chat. Comparable as a pan-Canadian youth mental health access channel and listed ACCESS OM partner.
- Foundry: BC-based integrated youth services initiative operating youth wellness hubs with rapid-access mental health, substance use, and social services for ages 12-24. Directly comparable operating model and an active ACCESS OM partner.
- Youth Wellness Hubs Ontario (YWHO): Provincial integrated youth services network in Ontario offering one-stop mental health, primary care, and social services for youth 12-25. Mirrors ACCESS OM's hub-and-spoke model and is a co-partner on the Centre des Compétences employment initiative.
- Aire ouverte: Quebec's provincial integrated youth services initiative delivering mental health, sexual health, and social services to youth 12-25. Direct peer within the same pan-Canadian N2-IYS network.
Emerging players
- Headspace (Australia): Australia's national youth mental health foundation operating integrated service centres for ages 12-25. Closest international analogue to ACCESS OM's integrated youth services model.
- StrongMinds: Nonprofit treating and preventing adolescent depression in low-resource settings via group talk therapy. Comparable as a youth-focused mental health nonprofit operating integrated service-delivery plus measurement.
- Jigsaw (National Center for Youth Mental Health, Ireland): Irish youth mental health organization providing early intervention and free support for ages 12-25. Comparable mission and youth-segment focus with a research and service delivery mix.
Broad incumbents
- Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA): National voluntary organization providing mental health programs, services, and policy advocacy across Canada. Overlaps with ACCESS OM on community-based mental health and partners with ACCESS OM sites.
- Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH): Canada's largest mental health teaching hospital and research centre. Comparable as a partner and reference standard for youth mental health research, though broader in mandate than ACCESS OM's IYS focus.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
ACCESS Open Minds social profiles
Digital presenceACCESS Open Minds financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
ACCESS Open Minds leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles10 records
ACCESS Open Minds funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
ACCESS Open Minds M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about ACCESS Open Minds
What does ACCESS Open Minds do?
ACCESS Open Minds operates a pan-Canadian network of 16 service sites that delivers youth mental health services and conducts patient-oriented research for youth aged 11-25. The network provides rapid access assessment within 72 hours and appropriate care within 30 days, connecting youth, families/carers, researchers, service providers, and policy makers across urban, rural, remote, First Nations, and Inuit communities. Services are funded by government grants and foundations and offered free of charge to youth and families.
Is ACCESS Open Minds a public or private company?
ACCESS Open Minds is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was ACCESS Open Minds founded?
ACCESS Open Minds was founded in 2015. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is ACCESS Open Minds based?
ACCESS Open Minds is headquartered in Montréal, Canada, in the North America region.
How does ACCESS Open Minds make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Research Grant Funding is the primary driver. The others are foundation Funding and centre des Compétences Investment.
Who are ACCESS Open Minds's main competitors?
Jack.org is listed as an others. Direct peers are Kids Help Phone, Foundry, Youth Wellness Hubs Ontario (YWHO) and Aire ouverte. Emerging players are Headspace (Australia), StrongMinds and Jigsaw (National Center for Youth Mental Health, Ireland). Broad incumbents are Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) and Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH).
Does ACCESS Open Minds have an API?
No public API is recorded for ACCESS Open Minds.
What industry is ACCESS Open Minds in?
ACCESS Open Minds's product category is Youth Mental Health Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HLALAEAC, Integrated Behavioral Health (Collaborative Care) Platforms, with a secondary code of HLALABAH, Care Navigation, Referral & Digital Front Door Platforms. Its NAICS code is 62411 and its SIC code is 8300.