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Stepped Care 2.0: value and benefits

Stepped Care 2.0 © (SC2.0) is a transformative model for the delivery of mental health and addictions services. The person-centered, strengths-based approach provides rapid, same-day, flexible access to evidence-informed wellness and mental health services that are aligned with recovery principles.

What is the value of SC2.0?

Because the failure to meet mental health needs comes at a high cost, SC2.0 offers people access to help at the point of need and the point of readiness. That is, SC2.0 is designed to meets peoples’ needs with the least intensive and most effective options, with shared benefits to the people accessing care and to the providers.

How does it benefit clients?

During their first engagement with the SC2.0 system, people receive an intervention to address their primary concern and are supported by a community of care. In the MHCC demonstration project, about 80% of clients reported that lower intensity options (such as e-mental health tools) met at least some of their needs.

On a medium green background, the following quote in black text is attributed to a person with lived experience. Before Stepped Care 2.0, "it was like waiting to get access to a backhoe when all you need is a shovel."
Before Stepped Care 2.0. “it was like waiting to get access to a backhoe when all you need is a shovel.”

How does it benefit providers?

SC2.0 not only gives providers more flexibility in their schedules, in the demonstration project, they saw SC2.0 as an effective, evidence-based way to help their practices evolve. Providers also reported much greater knowledge of the stages of change and self-efficacy to enact change.

On a blue background, the following quote is attributed to a care provider in Newfoundland and Labrador, "I have more time and flexibility. Clients come in or book a time with me when they want service [which] opens up my schedule."
I have more time and flexibility. Clients come in or book a time with me when they want service [which] opens up my schedule.

SC2.0 Nine-Step Framework

9-step framework in a cube. The steps are in a gradient of blues with the bottom step, Step 1, the lightest shade of blue and the top step, Step 9, is the darkest shade of blue. Step 1: Informational Self-Directed Step 2: Interactive Self-Directed Step 3: Peer Support Step 4: Workshops Step 5: Guided Self-Help Step 6: Intensive Group Programming Step 7: Flexible Intensive Individual Programming Step 8: Chronic Care and Specialist Consultation Step 9: Acute Care, System Navigation, Case Management and Advocacy. Next two step 9 is an asterisk. This is the connected note, “In acute care, readiness may be low for involuntary hospital admissions.” There is an arrow along the y-axis that reads, “Stakeholder Investment,” implying that stakeholder investment increases as someone goes up the steps. There is an arrow running along the z-axis that reads, “Readiness,” implying increased readiness as someone goes up the steps. There is an arrow along the x-axis that reads, “Autonomy”, implying that autonomy decreases as someone goes up the steps.The SC2.0 model for systems of care is organized around nine steps, which can be populated with diverse care options.

As steps increase in intensity, stakeholder investment (i.e., time, effort, and cost) and client readiness to engage also increase.

Client autonomy is greatest in the lower steps and decreases in the higher steps.
In the highest levels of care, clients are autonomous to the best of their ability at a given time.

Guiding Principles

The foundational values and philosophies upon which the SC2.0 model is built:

  1. Social justice drives effective care systems transformation and is an intervention in itself.
  2. Multiple and diverse care options are required as one approach will not work for everyone.
  3. All individuals and communities have strength and capacity.
  4. People engage with what they are ready to do; gold-standard intervention is that which best fits the service user at any given time.
  5. Professionals do not carry all the wisdom; people often know what is best for them.
  6. Mental health literacy is required for people to make informed decisions.
  7. An effective care system ensures people have access to care when and where it is needed.
  8. The whole is greater than the sum of its parts; the strength of the system relies on multilevel collaboration.
  9. Minimal interventions can produce powerful results.
  10. There is no ideal solution; trial-and-error leads to growth and change.

Ready to learn more about Stepped Care 2.0©?

Check out the SC2.0 Infographic

Learn what makes SC2.0 different

Download the PDF

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