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Edmonton-based Jack Talks speaker Yaël Witvoet wants Jack.org's youth network to know that taking pride in your Q***rness and surrounding yourself with community and Q***r advocacy is closely linked to better mental health outcomes.

Explore Pride resources by visiting https://www.jack.org/campaigns/pride-resources 🌈 💖

La conférencière Jack Talks basée à Edmonton, Yaël Witvoet, souhaite rappeler au réseau de jeunes de Jack.org que célébrer sa queerness avec fierté et s’entourer d’une communauté ainsi que d’initiatives de défense des droits des personnes 2SLGBTQIA+ est étroitement lié à une meilleure santé mentale.

Découvrez des ressources pour le Mois de la Fierté: https://www.jack.org/campaigns/pride-resources 🌈💖

"I’ve been a mental health advocate for as long as I can remember. Someone who believes that mental health is health, not separate from our lives but shaped by everything: our environments, our access to resources, our daily experiences.

But I’ve also struggled to reach out for support, often trying to carry things on my own, believing it made me stronger. There have been moments when I’ve felt alone in what I was experiencing. Often, we move quickly into fixing or giving advice, but through my time in the mental health space, I’ve learned that often isn’t what’s needed.

What made the difference for me were the moments of simply being held, cared for, and listened to with patience and compassion. When I think of the conversations that made an impact, many come to mind, but one person in particular stands out: my partner, Phil.

He’s shown up for me when I struggled to show up for myself, when I was carrying too much and trying to stay afloat, often without me even having to ask. That means everything. This relationship and the many conversations within it helped me see that our struggles are not something we need to carry alone but something we can share with others in mindful and meaningful ways. I’ve seen pieces of my own journey reflected in others, and in that, I’ve felt stronger and less alone, one of the most powerful feelings there is.

By having him in my life as an anchor, I’ve gained the confidence and courage to be in spaces where I can experience that kind of connection and support. It’s shown me that we don’t need to show up perfectly. We can show up with presence, curiosity, and kindness while being aware of our own capacity and the capacity of others. Because I’ve learned that what seems small—a kind word, a shared moment, a quiet “I’m here”—can make all the difference.

And that we all have a role to play. By showing up when we can and asking how we can support one another, we can have a real impact on someone’s life. I know those kinds of conversations and support have made a meaningful difference in mine."

— Lily Baker, Youth Voice Council Member

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Mental Health Month may be over, but the conversations that change lives continue. One moment of connection can make all the difference for someone struggling. Help make more conversations like this possible by donating at https://www.jack.org/campaigns/one-conversation 🔗

Unpacking the stigma that keeps men from reaching out for support, and what we can do to change it 💙

Brisons la stigmatisation qui force les hommes à affronter leurs luttes en silence. Agissons pour faire bouger les choses 💙

"A professor once changed the way I think about mental health.

In the final class of his social work course, he talked about self-care in four layers: “skin-deep” care, like comfort food; “brain-deep” care through things that challenge you intellectually; “body-deep” care through things like therapy, spending time outside, or meditation; and “soul-deep” care through activities that fill your cup, like spirituality.

What stayed with me wasn't just the framework itself. It was the realization that mental health isn't one thing. Different parts of us need care, attention, and support in order to feel well.

It also helped me understand why taking care of ourselves can feel so difficult. There are so many needs to balance, and we don't always have the capacity, time, or resources to meet them all.

That lesson gave me a deeper sense of compassion for myself and for others. I hope it reminds people that caring for yourself can look different from day to day, and that it's okay to give yourself grace when it feels difficult."

— Ashley Hauer, Jack.org Youth Voice Council

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Mental Health Month may be over, but the conversations that change lives continue. One moment of connection can make all the difference for someone struggling. Help make more conversations like this possible by donating at https://www.jack.org/campaigns/one-conversation 🔗