Youth Led Policy

The New Mentality works to amplify youth voice on a provincial level to create systemic change in the children and youth mental health system.

Through our provincial Youth Action Committee (YAC), we support young people in identifying major issues facing youth in Ontario who are experiencing mental illness and engage our network and the public to find out how we can solve these complex issues. Following province-wide youth consultations, the YAC works together to report on its findings and generate youth-led policy recommendations to stakeholders responsible for change. Since 2013, the YAC has released three groundbreaking reports addressing the reactive nature of the mental health system, service wait times in Ontario, and mental wellness in the school system. The YAC is currently exploring race in the mental health system.

Current Policy Paper

The Youth Action Committee is currently exploring race in the mental health system.

From Crisis to Quality

Provides recommendations to government and service providers to help build a system that is proactive rather than reactive for youth with mental health challenges

Waiting for Change

Provides recommendations to reduce wait times in Ontario and tips to help youth manage the wait

Speak Up Speak Out

Provides recommendations to create a better school environment for youth with mental health and addiction challenges

About the Youth Action Committee

The Youth Action Committee (YAC) is a provincial advisory committee, made up of youth aged 16-25 who work to reduce stigma and improve mental health services for children and youth through youth-led policy recommendations. The YAC identifies a major issue youth experiencing mental health difficulties in Ontario are facing and sets out to find out how youth think we can solve these complex issues. Following province-wide youth consultations, the YAC works with Children’s Mental Health Ontario’s (CMHO) policy team to generate youth-led policy recommendations. The committee works together to deliver findings and recommendations to stakeholders responsible for change.

The Youth Action Committee ensures that the voices of youth across the province are acknowledged, respected and taken seriously, driving change within the system and raising a unique and valuable voice.

OUR HEADQUARTERS

2305 - 180 Dundas Street West
Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5G 1Z8