TL;DR: The Youth Mental Health & Addictions Council (YMHAC) is amplifies the voices of young people in London Middlesex to drive positive change in mental health care and addiction services. Since then, it has evolved into a vital resource, advocating for youth-centered practices and influencing decisions across the mental health and addiction care system.

Update | November 1, 2024 

The Youth Mental Health & Addiction Council (YMHAC) is based in London, ON. We, the people (youth), have lived experience with mental health and the healthcare system in the London area. Mental health isn’t easy to solve, deal with, or fix. There are resources, medications, and coping methods, but finding something that works for you is hard. So, in this term of YMHAC, we chose to build a resource directory (coming soon 🤞🏽) to help youth find the resources they need when they need them.

Phase one was to scour the internet (google) for resources in the London area and gather as many details about the services and resources as possible (location, website, services, accessibility, etc.). We are currently also working on the project MARLY (Mental Health and Addictions Resources for London Youth). You can also read more about it, as there is a blog for it along with this one.

Currently, we are in Phase 2 of YMHAC, where we, the youth, are actively seeking opportunities to collaborate with mental health service providers. Our goal is to enhance the support and resources available to youth, improving their quality of care and support.

YMHAC is at the forefront of promoting youth-centered mental health care, ensuring that young people’s voices are heard and valued in the development and implementation of initiatives. With a focus on authentic leadership and decision-making, YMHAC aims to address the unique challenges faced by youth with lived experiences of mental health issues and addictions. YMHAC was established in 2016 through a collaboration between London Health Sciences Centre’s Transition Age Project (TAP) and mindyourmind.

In Spring 2019, YMHAC found a new home under the stewardship of the Mental Health INcubator for Disruptive Solutions (MINDS) of London Middlesex. This partnership has enabled YMHAC to expand its reach and influence, collaborating on system-level changes that optimize well-being for youth and young adults in our community.

YMHAC’s mission is to advocate for youth-centered mental health care through authentic leadership, influence, and decision-making. Our short-term goals include being a voice for youth with lived experiences, articulating their needs, and collaborating with key stakeholders across the system. In the long term, we aim to set an example for youth councils nationwide, measuring success and serving as catalysts for positive change.

YMHAC comprises up to twelve young people aged 16 to 25 with diverse lived experiences related to mental health and addictions. We prioritize representation across age, gender, cultural backgrounds, sexual orientation, and experiences with mental health interventions or addictions issues. Our members are actively engaged and committed to driving meaningful change.

By participating in YMHAC, you become part of a powerful movement advocating for youth mental well-being. Together, we can shape policies, programs, and services that truly meet the needs of young people in our community. Join us in making a positive impact on mental health and addictions care for generations to come.

Want to get involved in the Youth Mental Health and Addiction Council (YMHAC)? Click here!