Hi there! I’m Arwen Cooke! I’m from Sault Ste Marie, I’m 21, Ojibwe, proudly part of the 2SLGBTQ+ community, disabled, and this is my 4th year on the Youth Action Committee. I am currently studying psychology at Algoma University with the intention of becoming a doctor. I am passionate about mental health and improving the system as a youth with lived experience in mental health struggles. 

I’ve been an avid volunteer in the mental health system since I was 14, on the local level and now on the provincial level as a leader. I wish to inspire as many youths as possible to use their voice and get involved as they can be the positive change they want to see happen. Just because you feel you cannot do something doesn’t mean you can’t. You’ll be surprised how many doors open for you if you knock. 

Tayyba Khattak is a 22-year-old from Scarborough who has been involved with The New Mentality since high school. Through her work with The New Mentality, she has been involved with her local chapter, The Gifts of Our People affinity group, and now the Youth Action Committee. Having helped lead the Gifts of Our People Zine project as a youth, she ispassionate about and continues to help spotlight and uplift underrepresented communities based on lived and shared experiences. She is passionate about furthering the work of the YAC and endeavors to contribute the skills she has developed through her time in the network and her volunteer work to the team this year.

Arpit Sharma is a 20-year-old from Burlington, ON at McMaster University and he is passionate in the advocacy of mental health. He has been involved with The New Mentality since 2019 and then gained the position of Co-Facilitator. He shows intense passion in raising awareness and helping remove barriers for underrepresented racialized individuals in the mental health system. He would like to use his voice to make sure that underrepresented communities are heard and that access to resources is easily accessible to those who need it. Being involved with the Youth Action Committee will help him to make sure that a positive impact is created with the work he does and it will help those who are in need of these resources. 

Hi! My name is Boluwatife Ogunniyi she/her, and I’m excited to be part of the CMHO Youth Action Committee. I’m passionate about advocating for youth mental health and creating inclusive, supportive spaces for young people. I currently study Global Health and Bioethics at the University of Toronto and my interest lies in the intersection of healthcare, equality, and policy-making. I believe equitable healthcare is a fundamental right, and I’m dedicated to bridging gaps in the system to ensure everyone—especially historically underrepresented groups—receives the care they deserve. I’m also passionate about the role of language translation in healthcare to improve communication across diverse populations. Through my experience in community engagement and advocacy, I’m eager to help drive meaningful change in youth mental health services and I’m thrilled to collaborate, learn, and help improve mental health services for youth across Ontario.  

Ray (they/them) is an 18-year-old from Sudbury, ON, who has relocated to Oakville, ON. Over the past six years, they have used their proficiencies to make changes throughout regional volunteer work. As they embark on the next steps of adulthood, joining YAC is the next necessary step in creating larger-scale changes. Ray strives to support disabled individuals, having experienced the challenges firsthand, and strives to step up when others won’t. Furthermore, their deep compassion drives them to help understand the needs of younger generations to ensure inclusivity and diversity remain more accessible. 
 

Dhara (she/her) is a 23-year-old from Toronto, Ontario who aspires to be a public health professional. She is a first year Master of Public Health Student at the University of Toronto. She is passionate about health equity and patient/community engagement. Dhara has served on multiple youth committees and assisted research that aims to improve the experiences and health outcomes of Ontarians. She looks forward to working with her YAC peers and continuing to learn more about effective advocacy to address the challenges youth face when engaging with the mental health system.