The Cause

As many as 1.2 million young people in Canada are struggling with mental health issues, but only one in five will get specialized treatment they need. Thanks to generous support from RBC Race for the Kids Toronto, the Family Navigation Project has helped over 2,700 youth get the help they needed.

About the Family Navigation Project at Sunnybrook

The Family Navigation Project at Sunnybrook is a non-profit program designed to provide expert navigation of the mental health and addictions service system for youth aged 13-26 with mental health and/or addictions problems.

Its promise to families is to engage with them to help them navigate the health care and related services system, connect to appropriate and credible assessment and treatment resources, receive assistance in as timely a way as possible and negotiate challenging situations that may arise, all the while knowing that help and support is available for them every step of the way.

Its promise to the health care system is to help build relationships with treatment providers, centres and programs (both public and private) that will facilitate connections for families and youth. In launching this innovative model of care, we hope to encourage positive change within the system.

Your Support Helps Young People Like Aisha

Aisha's Story

Aisha never had an easy time in school. Years of relentless bullying only made things worse. By her 22nd birthday, she was battling depression, bulimia and addiction.

Aisha’s parents had become desperate and frightened. While they managed to find help for Aisha none of it seemed to have a lasting impact.

Then, through a friend, the family learned about the Family Navigation Project (FNP) at Sunnybrook. That was a turning point. A navigator helped find a live-in program for Aisha. A case manager, dietitian, rehabilitation worker and substance abuse counsellor were identified to support her. Together they put Aisha on a journey to recovery.

Today, the family has the confidence to hope again - to look at the future not with fear, but with optimism. Aisha is happier and back at school, living independently while training to be a chef.