​Joshua Bell: How Personal Struggles Inspired Youth Mental Health Advocacy

Please note that this episode contains discussions of suicide ideation. Joshua Bell is a mental health activist and community advocate. His main focus has centred around mental health among youth and suicide prevention. He has worked for organizations such as Unsinkable Youth where they not only raise awareness about youth mental health but push for changes to improve their well-being. When not working on mental health, Joshua finds other ways to volunteer and give back to the community he grew up in. Born in Hamilton, Canada, one of the most important things to Joshua is community. Through participating in various organizations and working with diverse groups, he has developed a special relationship with his community. Joshua is a mental health advocate, but he didn't have much knowledge of the topic until he was 16, due to personal experiences. His challenges were severe, to the point where he needed help. With the support of friends, family, and his therapist, he was able to emerge from a dark place. This experience, along with the realization that everyone has a unique journey regarding their mental health, inspired Joshua to get involved in youth mental health. He hopes that by sharing his story, he can help people understand that mental health affects everyone, regardless of age. Now in university, Joshua is studying political science and judicial studies and hopes to combine his passions for mental health and public policy to make meaningful changes in communities across Canada. In this episode, you will hear: The relationship Joshua has with his community How Joshua viewed mental health before personal experiences Personal experiences with mental health and how Joshua was able to get through these challenges The pressure Joshua puts on himself when it comes to tackling issues like mental health among young people and giving back to his community How Joshua embraces the challenge of talking to older generations about the importance of mental health If you want to follow the “Oh My Curry Goodness” podcast, be sure to subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. You can also follow the podcast on YouTube as well. Be sure to also follow the podcast on Instagram @theomcgpodcast for more information on guests, preview clips, and more! For more from Joshua, be sure to follow him on social media @joshuamjbell. You can also check out his website by visiting joshuamjbell.ca.