For Pride Month, we're joined by advocates Jake Bradshaw and Rei Ku to discuss the importance of community connectedness and its relationship to 2SLGBTQ+ and mental health advocacy. 

For Mental Health Awareness Month, we welcome three guests from Jack.org’s youth network to share their own perspectives on the power of active listening and laying the foundation for help-seeking among young people. Mental health ambassadors Akuol Riak

Ashlinn Pennell, and Akib Hossain discuss their own roads to advocacy and their hopes for fostering more inclusive, open environments for youth who need support as young people leading that change. 

Movement and community are two of the most impactful factors on mental health. This month, Jack Ride combines both to bring Canadians together across the country to get in meaningful motion for youth mental health. Jack Ride ambassador Kyle Moore joins us this week to discuss hitting crisis as a young person struggling with undiagnosed OCD and anxiety in rural New Brunswick and how movement, awareness, physical activity, and connection have transformed his mental wellness.

Visit jack.org/ride to Get in Motion for youth mental health today.   

Eco-anxiety is on the rise among youth. Young people have more access to news than ever, and while knowledge is certainly power, the constant influx of headlines on climate change and global warming are understandably contributing to stress levels. In this episode we welcome both Indigenous knowledge keepers and youth advocates for their perspective on how we can address this rapidly evolving issue while protecting mental health.

Autistic individuals face unique challenges to their mental health that often stem from being misunderstood or misdiagnosed. Autistic advocate & mental health speaker Tanner Bergsma joins us to discuss how sensory overload and social overwhelm can take a toll on mental health, and how the mental health system and neurotypical allies can better support individuals on the spectrum.

Women are statistically more likely to have their physical symptoms attributed to "anxiety" or "stress," leading to years of delayed diagnoses and distrust in healthcare providers. Women’s health advocate Summar Bourada joins us to talk about her personal journey to diagnosis and becoming founder of gldn grl, an Ottawa based jewelry brand that raises awareness and funds for women’s reproductive and mental health.

Culturally responsive care is essential in providing youth with safe and effective mental health support. But what does this really look like in practice for Black communities? Mintikah English-Palmer, a mental health support worker for Black youth in Toronto’s Jane/Finch neighbourhood joins jack amplified to discuss the systemic barriers POC young people face, the power of representation in care, and importance of fostering Black joy as a form of healing.

Bullying has a deep impact on young people’s mental health, affecting self-esteem, stress levels, and overall well-being both online and offline. Open conversations about bullying and mental health help youth recognize harm, support one another, and build communities rooted in empathy and respect. Bullying Recovery Coach Rachel Weinstock joins jack amplified to explore how bullying shows up in daily life, the connection between bullying and mental health struggle, and what it looks like to move from bystander to supporter.

Growing up online shapes how young people see themselves, often fueling comparison and unrealistic expectations. Open conversations about body image and eating disorders can help youth build healthier relationships with their bodies and self-worth. Guests Kenzie Brenna and Gabriela Bonilla-Gauthier join jack amplified to discuss the prevalence of eating disorders in the “always on” digital age, and how youth can cultivate a culture of body neutrality for themselves and their peers.

The transition from fulltime student to career professional can be daunting. Imposter syndrome, burnout, and employment uncertainty amidst rising competition across the job market can impact mental health in the workplace. Employers play a vital role in shaping healthy early career experiences and providing support to young employees. Hear from guests Denis Trottier, Chief Mental Health Officer at KPMG and early career youth Denis Jackson Root on what is needed in the workplace for young workers to thrive.