Family Navigation Project
PAGE
MENU

What we do

The Family Navigation Project (FNP) at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre serves youth and families in the Greater Toronto Area (Durham, Halton, Peel, Toronto, York). FNP is a non-profit, philanthropically-funded program that provides help to youth, 11 to 29 years old experiencing mental health and/or addiction issues, and their families.

FNP does not provide diagnosis, treatment, counselling or crisis services. Instead, our team of experts helps young people and/or their families navigate the system more easily, to find and gain access to resources, such as service providers and treatment centres.

There is no cost to access this service.

No formal/medical diagnosis is required. No referral is required.

FNP is a phone and email service that provides youth and their families with support and expert navigation of the mental health and addictions (MHA) service system. We “get in the boat” with you. This means we are with you along your journey to help you and/or your family determine the best care that suits your needs. View further information on our service here.


How FNP works:

A phone call or email to FNP
is all you need to get started.

Youth or families are partnered with a Family Navigator, a clinically trained mental health professional.

Family Navigators “get in the boat with you” to help youth and families find the help they need.

FNP’s multi-disciplinary team works with youth and families to understand their specific needs.

FNP will help youth and families:
  • Identify options for treatment and support
  • Create an individualized plan and path to care
  • Communicate effectively with care service providers

The Family Navigator stays involved along your journey to help:
  • Track progress
  • Facilitate transitions
  • Address barriers

Youth and families may also connect with FNP’s Youth Advocate with Lived Experience (YAL) or Parent Advocate with Lived Experience (PAL). These staff members have lived experience of MHA issues or supporting youth with MHA issues. They provide peer support through personal experience.