jack amplified.

Movement and community are two of the most impactful factors on mental health. This month, Jack Ride combines both to bring Canadians together across the country to get in meaningful motion for youth mental health. Jack Ride ambassador Kyle Moore joins us this week to discuss hitting crisis as a young person struggling with undiagnosed OCD and anxiety in rural New Brunswick and how movement, awareness, physical activity, and connection have transformed his mental wellness.Visit jack.org/ride to Get in Motion for youth mental health today.   

Eco-anxiety is on the rise among youth. Young people have more access to news than ever, and while knowledge is certainly power, the constant influx of headlines on climate change and global warming are understandably contributing to stress levels. In this episode we welcome both Indigenous knowledge keepers and youth advocates for their perspective on how we can address this rapidly evolving issue while protecting mental health.

Autistic individuals face unique challenges to their mental health that often stem from being misunderstood or misdiagnosed. Autistic advocate & mental health speaker Tanner Bergsma joins us to discuss how sensory overload and social overwhelm can take a toll on mental health, and how the mental health system and neurotypical allies can better support individuals on the spectrum.

Women are statistically more likely to have their physical symptoms attributed to "anxiety" or "stress," leading to years of delayed diagnoses and distrust in healthcare providers. Women’s health advocate Summar Bourada joins us to talk about her personal journey to diagnosis and becoming founder of gldn grl, an Ottawa based jewelry brand that raises awareness and funds for women’s reproductive and mental health.

Culturally responsive care is essential in providing youth with safe and effective mental health support. But what does this really look like in practice for Black communities? Mintikah English-Palmer, a mental health support worker for Black youth in Toronto’s Jane/Finch neighbourhood joins jack amplified to discuss the systemic barriers POC young people face, the power of representation in care, and importance of fostering Black joy as a form of healing.

Bullying has a deep impact on young people’s mental health, affecting self-esteem, stress levels, and overall well-being both online and offline. Open conversations about bullying and mental health help youth recognize harm, support one another, and build communities rooted in empathy and respect. Bullying Recovery Coach Rachel Weinstock joins jack amplified to explore how bullying shows up in daily life, the connection between bullying and mental health struggle, and what it looks like to move from bystander to supporter.

Growing up online shapes how young people see themselves, often fueling comparison and unrealistic expectations. Open conversations about body image and eating disorders can help youth build healthier relationships with their bodies and self-worth. Guests Kenzie Brenna and Gabriela Bonilla-Gauthier join jack amplified to discuss the prevalence of eating disorders in the “always on” digital age, and how youth can cultivate a culture of body neutrality for themselves and their peers.

The transition from fulltime student to career professional can be daunting. Imposter syndrome, burnout, and employment uncertainty amidst rising competition across the job market can impact mental health in the workplace. Employers play a vital role in shaping healthy early career experiences and providing support to young employees. Hear from guests Denis Trottier, Chief Mental Health Officer at KPMG and early career youth Denis Jackson Root on what is needed in the workplace for young workers to thrive.

Combatting the youth mental health crisis in Canada starts with understanding the data. Michael Cooper, vice president of development and strategic partnerships for Mental Health Research Canada joins jack amplified for conversation on what the latest research is telling us, what surprises experts about self-stigma, and why engaging youth is critical to creating meaningful solutions.

TW: mentions of suicide lossVoicing struggle helps us navigate grief after loss and build resilience. On this episode of jack amplified, we welcome Celia Owen, mental health advocate & Amazing Race Canada alum, who shares her experience processing the loss of her father and the power sharing her story has on her advocacy work.If you or someone you know is thinking about suicide, call or text 9-8-8 for a free confidential with a trained counsellor 24/7. If there is a medical emergency or immediate danger of harm, call 9-1-1 and explain that you need support for a mental health crisis.

We are more than our academic performance. Guests Lily Baker, Karl Zhu and Brooklyn Ranta reflect on their experiences as students and explore the impact of academic pressure on youth mental health, as final exam season rapidly approaches. We unpack how expectations from school, family, and yourself can lead to stress, burnout, and self-worth struggles—and how young people are learning to redefine success on their own terms.

Men in Canada die by suicide three times more often than women. That’s often because of the intense societal pressure they face to keep silent about struggle. In honour of Men’s Health Awareness Month, we welcome guests Isaiah Neil and Sachin Latti to discuss their personal journeys with depression and anxiety, Isaiah as a student athlete and Sachin through his work in law enforcement. They talk about the pressures men face,  how stigma and burnout stop people from reaching out for support, and why movement and connection are so important for mental health. Through open conversation, Isaiah and Sachin show how community, empathy, and vulnerability are true sources of strength.

Early intervention starts with giving youth the literacy they need to understand their mental health and engage in conversations that normalize and validate their complex emotions. On this week’s episode of jack amplified, Jack Talks speaker Liv Miller touches on her journey becoming a mental health advocate as a teenager with the Bridges of Hope project, inspiring fellow young people to get proactive about their mental health, and challenging stigma as a passionate community leader. Later, Liv and host Michael Braithwaite share their insight into the role adults play in providing youth with supportive environments to reach out about mental health challenges.

This week, host Michael Braithwaite chats with Jack.org Youth Ambassador and Chapter Leader Leyan Al-Mashita to explore the healing power of community and the unique role youth-led, inclusive spaces like Jack Communities play in providing young people with the tools to take care of their mental health — and each other. They discuss what is needed for youth to feel connected to and supported in their mental wellness journey, and how increased education and literacy can reach the intersections of many communities.  Episodes of jack amplified drop every other Wednesday.

Introducing jack amplified: the new podcast from Canada’s leading youth mental health charity, Jack.org. In honour of World Mental Health Day, host Michael Braithwaite chatted with former Jack Talks speaker & Chapter member Samarah Maqbool to discuss how belonging can be a powerful tool of prevention against declining mental health amongst young people. Samarah tells us why community engagement and equity-informed practices matter in prevention through the lens of her advocacy and lived experience as a South Asian woman, and how organizations like Jack.org have made a difference in her journey.New episodes of jack amplified drop every other Wednesday anywhere you get your podcasts. 

Conversations rooted in empathy. Mental health advocacy fueled by action. Impact driven by youth. This is Jack Amplified. jack amplified digs into the issues that matter to people who are shaping youth mental health in Canada. Hosted by Michael Braithwaite, Jack.org’s President & CEO, the podcast cuts to the heart of the youth mental health crisis through informative, stigma-busting conversations with youth advocates, thought leaders, and mental health experts. Building on Jack.org’s expertise in prevention and mental health education, jack amplified shares stories of resilience, delivers real-world mental health skills, and amplifies expert voices to equip people with the knowledge and confidence to support themselves and others through times of struggle.  Since 2010, Jack.org has worked alongside youth across Canada, in communities and online, to provide resources and programming that promote education, community-building and early intervention. Now, we’re setting out to reach more young people than ever with tools, insights, and inspiration to change the youth mental health landscape in Canada. New episodes drop biweekly on Wednesdays on Spotify, Apple Podcasts (audio) and youtube.com/jackdotorg (audio/video)​​.To find out more about the work we do, visit our website.