Amplifying youth voice for change
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WHAT WE DO
The New Mentality is a not-for-profit network of youth advocates and adult allies working together to Disable the Label of mental health and mental illness. We strive to amplify youth voice to create change within the mental health system and beyond. We believe that youth with mental illness must contribute to building and improving the mental health system in order for it to work effectively.
Our network is comprised of youth advocates, aged 13-25, and adult allies from children and youth mental health agencies across Ontario. Together we are a community of mental health advocates across the province.
We are a program of Children’s Mental Health Ontario.
Our action plan
All TNM programming and projects are designed to create a platform for youth to advocate for themselves. We aim to create positive volunteer experiences for all youth advocates.
Our network comprises youth-led TNM groups from across Ontario who work with partner children and youth mental health agencies in their communities to raise awareness of mental illness, eliminate stigma, and improve local mental health services. Each group has dedicated youth and adult allies who work together on projects throughout the year to promote meaningful engagement by empowering young people to concentrate on the work they are most passionate about.
Once a year, each TNM group sends youth representatives accompanied by their adult allies to meet with other groups from our network to share projects, build skills, and make meaningful connections at a 3-day leadership retreat that we call Disable the Label.
Through our provincial Youth Action Committee, we work to identify major issues facing youth in Ontario who are experiencing mental illness or mental health challenges 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.
Our Team
SAMARA BROWN
Program Manager, Youth Partnerships
About Samara
Samara has over seven years of experience in youth engagement and promoting healthy childhood development in the nonprofit sector. With her focus on child development spanning ages 3-19 and backed by a BFA in Fine Arts specializing in Dance Performance, she offers a distinctive and creative perspective to her work, especially in engaging youth from marginalized communities.
Samara is dedicated to advancing equity, diversity, and inclusion in all aspects of her work, with notable expertise in program development, facilitation, and youth advocacy. Her passion for the arts is matched by her commitment to enhancing practices that combat anti-black racism, and empowering young people through creative expression. Samara thrives on promoting mental and physical wellness through community engagement, forging lasting connections with youth and young adults.
CARALYN QUAN
Director, Youth and Family Partnerships
About Caralyn
Caralyn brings 10 years of experience in youth engagement and partnership development to CMHO. In her time with The New Mentality, she has led the program through a period of growth and innovation, including helping to write the CCA’s Youth Engagement Accreditation Standards, consulting with the provincial government on the mental health service framework, and developing and refining TNM’s youth-led policy model, establishing TNM as a key voice in the youth mental health conversation.
Caralyn has participated in numerous sector leadership initiatives, most recently sitting on the Knowledge Institute’s Advisory Group for Youth Engagement Quality Standards. Prior to her work at CMHO, Caralyn worked as a community organizer and frontline youth worker. Outside of work, she is active in her community, volunteering as a youth hockey coach and currently serving as Vice-Chair on a City of Toronto Community Board.
Please note that our organization does not directly provide mental health services.
To find a Children’s Mental Health Centre near you, click here.
If you are in a crisis, please call 911 or go to your nearest Emergency Department.
OUR HEADQUARTERS
2305 - 180 Dundas Street West
Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5G 1Z8