How Youth Are Involved In Our Team

Sun Life Financial Chair in Adolescent Mental Health Youth Advisory Council (YAC) is made up of 25 youth ranging in age from 14-25 years old. The majority of members on the YAC have lived experience with mental illness or have friend(s) or family member(s) that live with a mental illness. There are also participants who have no lived experience with mental illness, providing for a variety of perspectives, discussion and knowledge levels surrounding adolescent mental health. In addition to phone, email, and Facebook communication between meetings, the group convenes for biweekly in-person meetings in Halifax. The role of the YAC is to contribute to materials and resources for youth developed by the Chair team, including input on language, graphics, best methods for distribution, and online arts-based content.

The YAC also creates their own relevant projects, based on their interests. The YAC has defined their own purpose, wherein they list their priorities to:

·         Make a Difference

·         Have a Voice

·         Network, Connect and know what's going on in Halifax and beyond

·         PROMOTE AWARENESS

·         Have Fun

Teenmentalhealth.org works in partnership with youth in order to design tools and content with youth, not just for youth. Not only do youth gain support, friendship and develop their skills, they in turn provide us with meaningful input, creative project ideas, and fun! Our council is relaxed and loves having new members. If you would like to join our council, please contact Jessica Wishart.

Our curren Youth Advisory Comittee (YAC) members include:

• Emily Atkinson
• John Bermingham
• Taylor Crosby
• Elizabeth Ewert
• Marika Forsythe
• Nicole Gabriel
• Kathleen Gallant
• Mina Hashish
• Joel Maxwell
• Michael Smith
• Karl Yu