Young people leading the change
Across British Columbia, young people aren’t just talking about mental health, they’re rewriting the conversation. From peer-support programs to advocacy campaigns and digital tools, youth across the province are stepping up with creativity and compassion.
In a world where mental health challenges often feel overwhelming, their work proves that change doesn’t have to start from the top, it can start with us. Here are five organizations leading the way in B.C., all informed or inspired by the voices of young people who want mental health care to be more open, accessible, and hopeful.
1. Jack.org – Empowering Student Voices
Jack.org is Canada’s only network of young leaders transforming how we think about mental health and B.C. is one of its strongest hubs. From high school clubs to university chapters, Jack.org gives students the tools and confidence to challenge stigma and start real conversations in their own communities. Their Jack Talks program brings trained young speakers into classrooms and campuses to share personal stories and promote early intervention.
As Jack Talks speaker Mercy Ajibola from McGill University explains, mental health is often “brushed aside because it isn’t visible,” yet caring for it is vital to living fully. That kind of honesty and empathy captures what makes Jack.org so impactful, a reminder that peer support can be just as powerful as professional help on the path to healing.
2. Foundry BC – A Safe Space For Every Youth
Foundry BC is reshaping what mental health support looks like for young people aged 12 to 24. With centres across the province and a growing online platform, Foundry brings together counselling, peer support, and primary care services in one accessible space—free and without judgment.
While Foundry BC isn’t a charity, it operates as a province-wide initiative supported by the Government of British Columbia and charitable partners including the Graham Boeckh Foundation, the Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research, Providence Health Care, and St. Paul’s Foundation.
What makes Foundry stand out is its deeply youth-informed approach to shaping programs and services. Every new initiative is developed with feedback from young people to ensure it truly reflects their needs. Whether someone needs a quick chat, ongoing therapy, or simply a space to feel understood, Foundry makes getting help simple, welcoming, and stigma-free.
3. Stigma-Free Society – Education That Starts with Empathy
Stigma-Free Society proves that changing how people think about mental health really can start with education. Based in Vancouver, their team visits schools, hosts workshops, and offers free online toolkits that help students and teachers talk about mental health without shame
Their programs focus on empathy first, reminding everyone that it’s okay not to be okay. What makes their approach so effective is how genuine it feels. There are no jargon and no judgment, just real stories and practical tools that spark understanding where it matters most: in classrooms and communities.
4. FamilySmart – Supporting Families, Strengthening Youth
FamilySmart is shaping what family-centered mental health support looks like in British Columbia. The organization works alongside parents and caregivers of children and youth who are experiencing mental health challenges, helping them feel heard, supported, and equipped to navigate complex systems of care.
FamilySmart’s approach is both compassionate and collaborative. By ensuring families are informed and included in the care journey, the organization helps create stronger support networks around youth and bridges the gap between families and mental health professionals. It’s a reminder that when families are supported, young people are too.
5. Anxiety Canada – Practical Tools For Everyday Calm
Anxiety Canada has been helping people manage anxiety for years, but what makes them stand out is how accessible they’ve made their resources for young people.
The organization actively designs its programs with input from youth and mental-health experts to make sure they actually work in daily life.
Their MindShift CBT app turns evidence-based therapy techniques into small, doable steps anyone can try on their phone — completely free. It’s a reminder that mental health support doesn’t always have to start with an appointment. Sometimes it’s about having the right tools at the right time, and Anxiety Canada makes that possible for thousands of young people every day.
Youth Shaping the Future
These five organizations show that young people aren’t waiting for someone else to fix the system, they’re helping build something better right now. From school hallways to community centres, they’re proving how compassion, creativity, and teamwork can change the way we think about mental health. If there’s one thing their work teaches us, it’s that small actions, a conversation, a text, or a shared story can ripple into real change.
You can be part of that change, too. Follow these organizations, share their resources, or volunteer your time. Every bit of awareness and support helps build a future where help feels closer, conversations feel easier, and nobody has to struggle alone.
About the Writer: Nuray Polad is a Media and Communications student with a passion for storytelling, cultural representation, and social impact. She explores how the media shapes communities and works to bring underrepresented voices to the forefront. Through her writing, Nuray focuses on impactful narratives, interviews, and opinion pieces that connect readers to meaningful causes and conversations across Canada.
