Belleville, Ont. — As Canada continues to grapple with rising mental health needs among young people, the Mood Disorders Society of Canada (MDSC) has relaunched its National Youth Advisory Council (NYAC), renewing its commitment to youth-led advocacy and systems-level change in mental health policy and programming.
The relaunch coincides with MDSC’s 25th anniversary, marking a quarter-century of national advocacy focused on improving access to treatment, informing research, and shaping mental health programs and government policy. The revitalized NYAC is positioned as a central pillar of that work, reflecting a growing emphasis on community-building, meaningful youth engagement, and translating lived experience into action.
NYAC is a national network of young people aged 14 to 29 from across Canada who collaborate to amplify youth perspectives, inform mental health policy, and advocate for more accessible and inclusive mental health systems. According to MDSC, the relaunch reflects the council’s evolving role as a collective of youth leaders whose insights extend beyond personal storytelling to policy influence and structural reform.
“Youth are often invited to share their stories, but not always given the power to shape decisions,” said NYAC National Co-Chair Joshua Bell. “NYAC exists to change that — by ensuring young people are not just consulted, but actively leading conversations, policies, and solutions around mental health.”
MDSC leadership says the council’s work has become increasingly integral to the organization’s national advocacy efforts. “The members of our NYAC are incredibly knowledgeable and dedicated leaders who are making a significant contribution to youth mental health advocacy in Canada”, states Dave Gallson, National Executive Director of MDSC.
As part of the relaunch, NYAC is sharpening its focus in several key areas. These include youth-led mental health advocacy and policy engagement, strengthening community-building and peer connection, amplifying lived experience in ethical and meaningful ways, and demonstrating the tangible impact youth voices can have on national mental health initiatives.
The council’s activities span a range of initiatives designed to inform decision-making and public understanding. Through national surveys, policy recommendations, public awareness campaigns, podcasts, and strategic partnerships, NYAC works closely with MDSC to provide youth-informed perspectives that support program development, research priorities, and advocacy strategies across Canada.
A central objective of the relaunch is to broaden participation and representation within the council. MDSC says NYAC is working to become more accessible and welcoming to young people from diverse backgrounds, regions, and lived experiences, reinforcing a commitment to equity, collaboration, and respectful engagement. By expanding who is at the table, the council aims to better reflect the realities of youth mental health across the country.
“Youth mental health is not just a personal issue but is a systems issue,” said NYAC National Co-Chair Eden Agulnik. “This relaunch is about showing that young people are not only impacted by mental health systems, but capable of changing them.”
The relaunch comes amid heightened national attention on youth mental health, as governments, educators, and health-care providers seek solutions to growing demand for services. MDSC says empowering young people to help shape those solutions is essential to building systems that are responsive, inclusive, and effective.
Looking ahead, NYAC is expected to play an expanded role in national mental health conversations, contributing youth-led insights to policy discussions and public dialogue. MDSC says the council’s work will continue to inform its advocacy efforts while demonstrating how lived experience, when paired with leadership and collaboration, can drive meaningful change.
Young people aged 14 to 29, along with partners, educators, and community organizations, are invited to learn more about NYAC’s work, get involved, and participate in the council’s renewed national movement to strengthen mental health systems in Canada.
