Developmental considerations for multidisciplinary community mental health models: Examining service experiences of young adults with serious mental health conditions.

Authors

• Vanessa V. Klodnick, University of Texas at Austin
• Rebecca P. Johnson, University of Texas at Austin
• Brianne LaPelusa, University of Texas at Austin
• Abby Mayhue, University of Texas at Austin
• Margaret Ann Paauw, Eastern Michigan University
• Deborah A. Cohen, University of Texas at Austin
• Beth Sapiro, Montclair State University
• Marc A. Fagan, Youth and Young Adult Services, Thresholds, Chicago
• Lisa A. Razzano, University of Illinois at Chicago

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2026

Department/School

Social Work

Publication Title

Psychiatric Rehabilitation Journal

Abstract

Objective: Young adults (YAs) have high rates of serious mental health conditions and historically low rates of mental health treatment engagement. YAs have historically been understudied within psychiatric rehabilitation, but more recently, multidisciplinary team- and community-based approaches informed by assertive community treatment have become popular. Much can be learned from YAs enrolled in YA-specific teams to understand how YA-specific teams support YA recovery. Methods: A research team with several YAs with lived/living mental health experience conducted and analyzed interviews with YAs (n = 22) enrolled in YA-specific team-based services. The research team used reflexive thematic analysis. Results: Self-discovery was central in YA team-based service experiences. The YA team fostered discovery by (a) supporting YA self-reflection within mutually respectful YA client–team member relationships made possible through the YA team; (b) blending and balancing YA development, lived experience, and clinical expertise; and (c) providing flexible, tailored services and activities in the community and clinic. Conclusions and Implications for Practice: Supporting YAs in building their sense of self is central in engaging YAs. YA mental health providers and policymakers in the field of psychiatric rehabilitation can use discovery practice concepts to describe how and why adult mental health care can successfully be different for YAs.

Comments

M. A. Paauw is a faculty member in EMU's School of Social Work.

Link to Published Version

DOI: 10.1037/prj0000657

Recommended Citation

Klodnick, V. V., Johnson, R. P., LaPelusa, B., Mayhue, A., Paauw, M. A., Cohen, D. A., Sapiro, B., Fagan, M. A., & Razzano, L. A. (2026). Developmental considerations for multidisciplinary community mental health models: Examining service experiences of young adults with serious mental health conditions. Psychiatric Rehabilitation Journal, 49(1), 56–65. https://doi.org/10.1037/prj0000657