Youth Advisory Board

Empowering Youth Voices for a Resilient Future

The Mental Health and Climate Change Alliance (MHCCA) is proud to introduce our Youth Advisory Board, a dynamic group of young leaders dedicated to shaping a future where mental health and climate resilience go hand in hand. As the voices of their generation, these passionate individuals bring invaluable insights, creativity, and lived experiences to guide MHCCA’s mission and outputs.

What Is the Youth Advisory Board?

The Youth Advisory Board is a diverse collective of young people from across Canada committed to addressing the intersection of mental health and climate change. Their role is to provide feedback, share ideas, and co-create innovative strategies that empower communities to respond to climate challenges while prioritizing mental health and well-being.

Our Purpose

  1. Elevate Youth Perspectives
    We believe young people are key stakeholders in building climate-resilient communities. The Board ensures their voices are heard and integrated into MHCCA’s programs, tools, and resources.

  2. Foster Innovative Solutions
    Through collaboration, the Youth Advisory Board generates fresh, actionable ideas for tackling the mental health impacts of climate change.

  3. Build Connections
    The Board fosters dialogue and partnership between youth and established experts to create holistic, inclusive solutions.

Meet Our Youth Advisors

Each Youth Advisory Board member brings a unique background and perspective, reflecting the diversity and resilience of communities across Canada. Together, they represent a wide array of experiences in mental health advocacy, climate activism, Indigenous leadership, and community engagement.

  • Regina, Saskatchewan

    Abhay Singh Sachal is a 22-year old Canadian whose research and work resides at the intersection of climate change, ecoanxiety, mental health, and spirituality. He is the founder of Break The Divide, a non-profit organization based on principles of environmentalism, sustainability, and reconciliation that focuses on fostering empathy and understanding to inspire local action projects in communities. Abhay is one of 10 advisors in the inaugural Environment and Climate Change Canada Youth Council, and one of 20 advisors in the United Nations Environmental Programme Faith For Earth Youth Council. Outside of his activism, Abhay is currently a student at the University of Regina, completing a Masters of Education in Educational Psychology; a public speaker on environmental and climate issues; and, an avid ice hockey player and pianist. Abhay is the Chair of the Youth Advisory Board at the MHCCA.

  • Vancouver, BC

    Emilie Wang (she/her) is currently pursuing her medical degree at the University of British Columbia (UBC). She did her undergraduate degree at UBC, specializing in environmental health, with a strong foundation for interdisciplinary research, systems thinking, community engagement, and knowledge translation. She is dedicated to contributing to the field of planetary health through various avenues, and is passionate about equitable healthcare access, especially for newcomer populations.

  • Edmonton, AB

    Gina Malaba is a recent postgraduate from the University of Alberta who majored in English Honours and double minored in Philosophy and Political Science. She has always been dedicated to leading community initiatives that promote ideals of social justice, anti-racism and mental health awareness. In order to help counteract the negative effects that the pandemic had on the mental health of students, Gina volunteered to be a One-to-One Host for UNITEA, a student wellness organization dedicated to creating safe spaces for students to gain a sense of belonging. As the President of her university’s Black Students Association (UABSA) she also helped curate student-centred initiatives that educated target audiences on racial discrimination, dynamic allyship and cultural diversity. She is currently a Fellow in the 1834 Foundation’s Global program, where she will be convening with public policymakers and advocacy practitioners from around the world to maximize her future capacity in civic leadership roles.

  • Montréal, Québec

    Leonard is a co-founder of CEVES, (the Student Coalition for an Environmental and Social Shift) which aims to bring together and mobilize Quebec’s student population on climate justice issues. He has participated in the organization of many events and major climate strikes called Fridays For Future, including the historic one on September 27, 2019, which gathered half a million people in Tiohtia:ke (Montreal). In the last 2 years, he has been working as a trainer for the Climate Justice Hub, helping activist’s groups on their strategy, structure, and conflict resolution. With a certificate in ecology and currently pursuing a certificate in psychosocial intervention, he aims to address the emotional work of the climate crisis and help individuals, groups, and communities to gain more resilience and adaptation.

  • Orillia, Ontario

    Sidney Howlett Francis is a graduate student at Lakehead University completing her Master of Education for Change in Environmental and Sustainability Education. Under the supervision of Dr. Ellen Field, her research explores the strategies teachers use to address students’ complex emotions about climate change in the classroom. With a background as a formal elementary teacher and years of experience in non-profit environmental educational settings, Sidney is dedicated to advancing climate change education and action across Canada’s education sector. Combining academic depth with practical experience, she is passionate about creating a more just, beautiful world through the transformative power of education.

  • Surrey, B.C.

    Zoha Faisal is a teenage climate justice and community organizer ancestrally from Punjab, Pakistan. She is a co-founder of Climate Recentered, a movement of BIPOC based on the unceded lands of the Katzie, Semiahmoo, and Kwantlen First Nations, working to build long-term mutual aid projects and communities of care in order to grow climate resilience. She was also previously a core organizer with Sustainabiliteens, a grassroots organization bringing teenagers together from across the Lower Mainland to organize mass mobilizations and campaigns targeting those responsible for climate injustice. Her work in climate justice is inspired by the resilience of her home village in Pakistan that has borne the brunt of the climate crisis for decades, and she is an advocate for centering cultural and ancestral practices in justice-based organizing.

What the Youth Advisory Board Does

  • Advises on Key Initiatives

    The Board contributes to the development of MHCCA’s resources, campaigns, and policy recommendations, ensuring outputs are relevant and accessible to youth audiences.

  • Champions Awareness

    Board members play a vital role in amplifying conversations about mental health and climate change, engaging peers, and advocating for systemic change.

  • Drives Collaboration

    Through partnership with MHCCA staff and external stakeholders, the Board co-designs impactful initiatives, such as workshops, toolkits, and community events.

Get Involved!

Are you passionate about mental health and climate action? Do you want to be part of the movement for a more equitable and resilient future? Learn how to support the Youth Advisory Board or join us as a volunteer or partner organization.