The team identified that MBC is not consistently implemented or well understood in youth counseling, so are working with youths within Youth Wellness Hubs Ontario (YWHO) Networks to develop and enhance the system. The hope is to improve treatment engagement, increase MBC uptake, and ultimately enhance the quality of counselling services for youth in the network by involving youth in the system itself. 

“We saw the conference as an invaluable opportunity to not only showcase our work but also learn from others and contribute to meaningful advancements in this area,” said Brianna. 

“The TRP helped foster our strong sense of curiosity and a commitment to learning, which motivated us to actively seek out opportunities for professional development and engagement, such as attending conferences like #FRAYME2024. This proactive approach to learning not only enriched our own understanding of youth mental health care but also facilitated meaningful connections with fellow researchers, practitioners, and advocates in the field,” added Izzar. 

 Each student returned from the conference with their own insights. For Izzar, it was a realization of the necessity to embrace change in youth mental health care, reframing it as an opportunity for growth and innovation. “Rather than viewing change as a disruptive force, the conference urged participants to approach it with openness and readiness to unlearn entrenched beliefs and practices. This mindset shift is crucial for staying relevant and effective in the continuously evolving landscape of youth mental health care,” he explained.